The knowledge that comes after the run, and never before

Whenever I stop running regularly, getting back is always difficult. I keep postponing the starting line, I keep telling myself that today is not a very good day — it’s cold (or hot), I haven’t had enough sleep, or I don’t have enough time. Which can be true, and yet getting back on track gets harder and harder.

I don’t remember a single run that I wasn’t happy I did. Not a single time when I had to kick myself out of the door, I regretted. So why is starting anew is so damn difficult? Inertia. When you run, you just do. When you don’t run — same thing, you don’t. And it’s not that easy to switch from not running to running. That’s why all the coaches of this world say that once you get to the starting line, you’re halfway there. And that’s also why all the couches of this world attract us, the ready couch potatoes that would rather do something static than running.

In terms of slogans and trademarks, it’s really hard to beat “just do it” — because that’s what it boils down to, I’m sorry it’s too corporate, but that’s just what the company did, they took the common sense, and the only thing that works, and made it theirs. The reality is — you will only know it was a right thing to do AFTER you’ve done it. After the run. After the sun in your eyes (next time I’ll even remember to put on sunscreen), or a refreshing drizzle on your face. You’ll know if — first when you breathe in the fresh air while your feet start kicking the ground underneath you, and then, when you are taking a shower after the run. You’ll know it then — something that’s impossible to know when you have just woken up and would rather stay in the comfort of your home for the next week thank you.