When in doubt, take more time.

Since joining up with the Running Bug, I must admit, I have not been the most prolific of bloggers. However, that is going to change. So, here goes.

10 years ago I was a very keen runner, taking part in many races at ½ marathon and marathon distance. My running “career” culminated in my successful completion of a 3 hour 50 minute London Marathon in 1999. From then, until recently, I have hardly run at all, apart from for the odd bus.

During the latter months of 2011 this began to change. I dug out my old running gear and, albeit sporadically, got back out on the roads.

Something else I did last year was to book an appointment with a nutritionist. My purpose was to understand how I could maintain my energy levels throughout the day. I made some, but not all of the changes that she suggested but with no real commitment.

Both of these things were a response to something intuitive. A reaction to me telling myself something. However, it seemed difficult last year, I had to try very hard to achieve anything. The only measure I had was my previous years of running so I always felt that I wasn’t really doing my best as I wasn’t running as fast as I used to. This, in itself, prevented me from running as often as I might but I also had a lot else going on in my life that needed my attention.

Now, I have never been one for New Year Resolutions but something changed for me over Christmas. Since then I have been putting all the things into place that I had tried so hard to do last year. The difference is that they are now so easy. On January 1st I was almost 16st, had an unhealthy diet, drank too much alcohol and had the occasional cigarette. Now, at the end of January, I am 15st 3lbs, am alcohol free and run for at least 45 minutes three times a week. I am now considering what my first race will be (probably the Black Park parkrun http://www.parkrun.org.uk/black-park/home).

What is the message here?

Sometimes we consciously think that we should do something but then fail to follow through. We have all experienced that and then beaten ourselves up about it, right? Despite something seeming like a bit of a no brainer, we experience a reluctance to follow through. For me, the timing just wasn’t right; my energy was required in other aspects of my life. Now those things are under control I am free to attend to the other stuff.

The real message is: -

When your conscious, logical mind tells you to do something it is not always right. You sometimes know that, in your heart, something just doesn’t feel right. Pay attention to this, acknowledge the small changes that you are making but, most important of all, keep learning as much as you can as it will all come in useful one day. 

Have you ever started something then decided it wasn't right? Did you 'beat yourself up' about it? What made you stop? Let us know in the comments below.