Don't give yourself options ✍️
Last Sunday, I did my long run. My training plan described it as 100min with some longer strides, coming to about 18km. Normally, these runs are ok, I like them. Gives me time to listen to books, podcasts or new music. But, this Sunday, I wasn't looking forward to it. I woke up a bit tired, and due to our family planning, I could only go out on the hottest moment of the day. But I knew I had to do this run. It's essential to my training and progress.
So I went out, well prepared with water, energy gels and sunscreen. And a planned route to run. But while I normally plan it as 1 route, I decided to combine 2. Meaning that I would do a loop of 12km, returning home, followed by a second one of 6km. I'm not sure why, but I though that if it wouldn't go well, I could skip the second part, although I knew upfront it would have been a bad decision.
As expected, the run felt hard. My legs felt tired, and the heat made me run even slower. Knowing I would pass by the house, I started to negotiate with myself whether to continue or not. For kms on end, I thought about stopping as all signs were pointing in that direction. But training for an event isn't (always) supposed to be easy. There are times you have to endure, through these tough moments. That's what prepares you for the real event.
Luckily, my mind and perseverance got the upper hand. I continued and completed the full distance.
And, I'm happy I did. As only a km later, when I had to do strides, I started to feel better. The soreness disappeared from my legs, and while my pace increased, my heart rate did not.
Looking back on this, I shouldn't have provided myself the option to stop in between.
If I had planned one long route, my focus would have been on getting back home, instead of negotiating whether I should continue or not, knowing it would harm my training in the long run.
I think we often face these situations, and unless we really are dedicated to something, we seek the easy way out. Deciding what provides the biggest pleasure with the least energy needed.
But in a way, I already knew that.
If I allow myself the option to procrastinate or be distracted, I likely will be. For that reason, I'm putting processes and blockers in place. This way, I no longer have to spend energy on making a good or bad decision, as the option just isn't there. I face less mental resistance and just do what I need to do.
So that's what I'll (again) keep in mind.
Removing options to guide my actions in the right direction.
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