Forced Enjoyment

It’s a strange feeling having to motivate myself to do something that I know I’ll enjoy. That’s exactly what’s been happening with the running of late. I didn’t make it out much in January and only been out a handful of times this month.

My usual excuse to myself is the presence of ice on the pavements which, I agree with myself here, is fair enough. Running on slippery surfaces is no fun and not just because of the risk of sudden injury. My running style changes so much as I try to run with as much precision and balance as I possibly can that I give myself aching legs over the course of a short loop.

You’d think then that I would be seizing every dry opportunity. Sadly, wrong. The lure of a warm living room and a good book is normally enough to keep me in.

However, it’s not as if I’m becoming slovenly. Between the four miles of brisk walking during my daily commute, the push-up a day challenge and practising little bits of tai-chi I’m definitely keeping my hand in. That’s what makes is gratifying when I do head out for a run and manage short, fast loops without feeling burdened by the lack of training. I just need to tell myself that I’ll enjoy it more often.