10. Staying Motivated
Often, when the sun is shining (but its not too hot) and theres a skip in your step (but not when you run because that would be weird) its easy to stay motivated. One of the thirty races youve entered is always just around the corner and it feels like a pleasure to run, a little gift to yourself. Then there are those other times. Times when its cold. Times when its raining. Times when it is dark and you just look at your high-vis vest with disdain. These are the times when running is hardest. You know the London marathon is far away but the training, the incessant pounding of poorly paved streets can really drag you down. No amount of new trainers or Rocky-inspired playlists can help you now. This is all about you as you step out into the cold, leaving your partner in their dressing gown, with the heating on, drinking a hot chocolate. You stare out into the darkness as you put one foot in front of the other and its only as you set off you realise. Yes. Yes, thats a lonely, ice-cold tear rolling down your cheek. Well, it would be rolling, but its frozen on the end of your nose. Attractive.