Friday, January 9, 2015

Bribing Myself To Be Dedicated Runner

I said previously that I wasn't going to make grandiose proclamations about my 2015 resolutions because my track record at following through is less than impressive. However, so far in 2015, I've been a fairly dedicated runner. Of course, I'm also trying to cram in training for Star Wars Half into 3 weeks, so that's my real motivator. I pretty much used this tactic to get through college.

Trying to up my selfie game.

 

We running bloggers love our selfies. I wish I was one of those people that could whip out an attractive selfie while running along, but that takes a level of dedication that I do not possess.

Yeeee haaaaw


I did a short run last night. It was only 2.5 miles, but a 2.5 mile run is better than a zero mile run, so I'll take it. I've lost a lot of speed. I'm running at a 1-2 minute per mile slower pace than I was this summer, but c'est la vie. I'll be lucky to break 3 hours at Star Wars Half.

I've been running at a park near my house. The park is only a mile away, but rather than go home and run to the park, I drive straight there from work. My couch lives at my house and it is so friendly. Sometimes my couch insists I spend time with it instead of working out, so I avoid the guilt trip.

This makes for a really long day. I have to be on my horse at 7:30 AM every morning in the winter, so I leave my house at 6:45. I go straight to work from the barn and then after work, I've been going to the park. Some days I'm gone for 13-14 hours. This makes my couch so very sad.

 

 

After I was done running, I randomly decided to play on the swings. Getting in touch with your inner child is good. At least that's what I hear. Plus, it's more fun than running.

Enjoy yourself, inner child!

I'm trying to motivate myself to be a dedicated runner by paying myself a dollar for every mile I run. Truthfully, this would be much more successful if I could con someone else to pay me a dollar for every mile, but we'll see how this pans out. I pretty much stole the idea from Jennifer at Red Hair and Running Shoes. She put a marble in a jar for every mile last year and enjoyed seeing the jar fill up. It takes cold hard cash to motivate me, though.

Show me the money!!!

 

Even though I swore up and down to never again run a marathon, there's a pretty good chance I'm going to do something stupid and sign up for WDW Marathon in 2016 or 2017. It's the only one I want to do. No challenges, but I do want to run the full. Living in Arizona, a January marathon is much easier to train for than a fall marathon like Marine Corps Marathon or the NYC marathon.

Maybe by then the speed fairy will wave her wand and make me a faster runner, because God knows I can't be counted on the do the work myself.

 

Post Goofy Challenge in 2013

I hope everyone at WDW is having a blast running this weekend. I've been enjoying everyone's pictures on social media.

 

 

4 comments:

  1. I wish I was a coach because I would love love love to coach you. You have a ton of competitive juices and if they could be translated from horse back riding to running you would be a super speedy runner. Paying yourself for every mile is not a bad idea, but what about writing down a training plan in your planner and trying to stick with it just one day at a time. And find a buddy that will hold you accountable. It just might work!

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    1. Oh, I'm AMAZING at writing down running plans. I love sharpies, charts and lists. It's my follow through that sucks. But I'd love to train with you. I think you'd motivate me to get out there! :)

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  2. I've tried with money, but it's just not manageable for me. I either don't have the cash to put in, or I end up taking out cash and promising myself that I'll return it and never do.
    I understand the couch thing. I fight the same battle. I'm thinking I'm going to do the Rock and Roll full in June. That should force me to keep to a training routine.
    Good luck with your plan!

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    1. Yeah, I'm most likely going to run into the same problems with my money jar. I never seem to have cash on me.

      Are you doing San Diego RnR? I think that might be too hilly for me... But I'll enjoy watching you do it!

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Thanks for reading!