How Long Will the Motivation Last?

This morning was the first morning where I thought about staying in bed instead of getting up for my workout. Seems like up until this point, there was some magical force that pulled me out of bed and pushed me on my enthusiastic way. I didn't quite feel it this morning.

But . . . I got up anyway. It was HOT (82 degrees F when we left the house) . . . but it didn't matter :)

Ironically, when I checked my email this morning, my Mom had emailed me this quote she found on the Real Simple website:

"I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing." Marsha Doble

On this morning's walk, I tried out my new pace of 13-16 min/mile. Let's just say that Garmin beeped at me a lot and told me to "Speed up." I found I could reasonably maintain a pace of 15.5 min/mile without struggling physically too much, but I had a problem with maintaining enough mental focus to not accidently find myself slowing down.

All in all, in the 34 minutes I walked today my average pace was 16:44 min/mile (and this includes slow warm-up time in the average). Previously my best average was 17:32 min/mile. I'm going to keep working at walking faster, but honestly still feel like I could run easier at this point than I could walk at a fast pace.

Back to Motivation. Feeling a little discouraged, I consulted Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer:

• "Which comes first, motivation or achievement? It would seem like motivation must come first, but it doesn't. The most motivating thing to most of us is to do well (achieve). It feels so good that we want to make it happen again. Each week you'll run farther than you ever have before in your life! What an achievement! And this will make you believe that you can do it again next week. And you will. Each week's achievement will serve to motivate the next week's behavior."

And of course, when I was done with the walk for the day, I did feel great! I was thankful I hadn't given into the lure of the pillow. I hope I can remember that tomorrow.

My right leg is maybe slightly better today. Unfortunately, both of my knees hurt today. Oh my goodness I am old and fat.