On Saturday I went out for a run. It doesn’t sound like much, but it was the first time I’d run in over 8 weeks.
Why did I stop?
At the beginning of the year I set myself a target: 30 Parkruns. I was in a really good flow, I’m currently on number 17 and feeling pleased with that.
Then the summer heat arrived. I just didn’t enjoy running in it. Even at 9am it was still too hot, and every run felt like more of a slog than a pleasure. At the same time I swapped two legs for two wheels to get ready for London to Brighton, so running went on hold while the training miles went on the bike instead.
I never decided I was giving up. I knew I’d come back to it, I just didn’t know when.
Why did I start again?
There was no big dramatic moment. I do my best thinking in the car, on a dog walk or in the shower, when there’s nothing else competing for my attention. It was while I was driving to Gatwick to pick up my daughter that I realised I was ready to start again, and I had a plan:
- 1 mile on a Tuesday
- 2 miles on a Thursday
- 3 miles (just over) at Parkrun on a Saturday
That’s it. Nothing fancy and no pressure. After 8 weeks off, I didn’t want to jump straight back in at the level I left. I wanted something small enough that I couldn’t talk myself out of it, with a build-up that would get me to Parkrun feeling ready rather than dreading it.
How did Saturday feel?
On Saturday I started with a gentle 1 mile run, knowing I would put my plan into action properly on Monday. It felt good. I had my music on, it was great to be back out there, and I was treated to a beautiful early morning sky. It was exactly the reminder I needed of why I love it.
What about the target?
Here’s the honest bit: I won’t hit 30 Parkruns this year. There aren’t enough weeks left. But that doesn’t discourage me. It’s the reason I’m starting again, to see how close I can get. That feels far more motivating than giving up.
What I’d love you to take from this
Life gets in the way of goals. The weather changes, training for something else takes over, and work and family come first. That doesn’t mean the goal has failed, and you don’t have to wait for a new year, a new month or even next Monday to begin again.
All you need is a small, realistic plan and a first step. It doesn’t have to be the perfect step, just the next one.
Over to you
Is there something you’ve paused or put on the back burner that you’d like to come back to? What’s your “1 mile” for this week, the smallest version that gets you moving again? I’d love to hear about it, so send me a message and let me know.