Setting the alarm before 5 a.m. Squeezing workouts in on a lunch hour. Waiting for someone to get home so you can run out. Arranging child care. Washing workout clothes multiple times per week. Planning food ahead of time: no dairy, nothing too heavy. Fitting in a workout right before bed. Changing clothes all the time. Showering all the time. Getting to bed early enough. Getting up early enough.
Ugh. Exercise is f#@%ing hard. And some days I just don’t want to deal with it.
Like this morning.
I set my alarm for 4:55 a.m. Went to bed at 10 p.m. The plan was to get in my trainer ride in the morning before work, so 5-5:30 a.m. in order to go swimming at night since my sweet husband (who was horrified when I told him I’d just “wing” the swim portion of the tri in June), reminded me that he was capable of putting our son to bed without me.
But today at 4:55 a.m., I got up, crossed the room and hit “snooze.” At 5:09 a.m., I got up and went into the bathroom to put on my workout clothes.
At 5:16, I was half-dressed for my workout. (I am slow in the morning.) At 5:17, I took off my spandex and put my pajamas on. I set my alarm clock for 5:45, and returned to bed. Yes, I was 5 minutes late to work this morning.
Now it is night time. I am making dinner. My husband, who works later hours, has not come home yet. I should be in my bathing suit ready to dash out as soon as he gets here. But I am not. I am typing this blog post. I am waiting for some cheese to melt. I am feeling so very tired.
Whenever anyone asks me for advice for new runners (it happens occasionally), I say, “Don’t think, just run.” Because if you really stop to think about it, exercise is f#@%ing hard. Not so much the actual workout, but everything that comes before and after it. And some days I just don’t want to deal with it.
Like tonight.
16 comments
First time reader but I couldn’t agree with you more. I can never say the run is *easy* but sometimes, it is easier than all the logistical planning of getting to the actual run. And some days, you just don’t want to be out of bed at some ungodly hour….and it is OK. There is always tomorrow morning : ).
I am doing my first tri in June as well (after many half marathons).
Good luck!
Yes! The crazy amount of planning is super annoying. What tri are you doing? Good luck!
It is f#@%ing hard! If it helps, I blew off my swim today to. Don’t tell anyone.
Your secret is safe with me.
I so agree. I had to run early this morning, which is unusual for me. I stood in the bathroom talking myself out of it, then back into it, out, in, etc. It took an extra 20 minutes to get out the door, and I only went because I am on a training plan. If it is written on a calender I will do EVERYTHING I can to mark it off. It’s my OCD side. I think I probably complained mentally about my run for the first two miles, (which could be why they were the slowest).
That’s usually how I am, but with the triathlon training and the half training plan, I never have a complete rest day. That might be my problem.
I have so being enjoying your posts and honesty lately. It is real and true. Hang in there, you are on the right track.
Awwww. Thanks, lady!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who does this. My problem has become opening the door and stepping outside. I just have to do it. I’m trying to think of running as my morning medication that takes at least a half hour to take before I can go on with the rest of my day.
I try to think about how I’ll feel after, but sometimes it’s just not enough. If I can get myself out the door, that’s half the battle!
I always get a little annoyed when people ask advice and then follow it up by saying things like, “oh exercising is just easier for you.” Um no, it’s not, I hate it just as much as the next person and not every workout is this amazing run through beautiful parks, sometimes, sometimes, I curse every step! But no pain, no gain! Exercise is @#$%ing hard! 🙂
Right? I don’t always love exercise either. Nothing is ever great 100% of the time.
Hahah, I can totally empathize. It’s soooooo easy to talk myself out of squeezing in a workout when I’m tired and it’s late/early/dark/raining/cold/hot/I just don’t want to. If only there was a way to exercise while unconscious. Sleeping treadmills?
Yes, I need to not talk to myself before working out. I need to like blank out while I’m preparing to work out.
I completely agree – it’s hard, but you never regret waking up to work out! I sneak out for a run at 5 am before my 2 month old and husband are awake, but sometimes our little guy thinks it’s time to nurse before I can get outside. It’s so much harder to find energy in the evening to work out (for me at least!)…
I start training for my next marathon this fall and being a new parent has DEFINITELY changed the running schedule. Flexibility has been one of the best lessons I’ve learned from my son so far 🙂
Happy running!
I agree… in fact, I often get asked how I seem to exercise most days of the week. It is not easy. I have three small children, I work a full time job, I have two dogs, I have a house and a husband… I am busy, but I do it. It makes me happy to know there are others who do it too! Way to go, you rock! And so do I?
So when someone asks me how I do it – I might let them read your post – because it is the truth on how to add exercise to a busy life! 🙂