I hate running. It’s a battle every each and every time. An hour before, it will be constant excuses. “I feel tired.” No, I actually just took a nap. “I have other things I should do instead.” Which I haven’t done all day, and will continue not to do. “It’s too cold/hot/warm outside.” It’s the same temperature outside as it is inside my home.

Half an hour before, I start imaging how tired I’ll be running, and how even more tired I’ll be after the run. Fifteen minutes before, I check the weather app. Maybe it’s raining outside. Maybe it’s snowing outside! Wouldn’t want to slip and injure myself, now would I?

As I’m putting on my shoes and lacing them up, my brain is still coming up with compromises. Maybe just a short run today. Maybe take the easy route and avoid the hills today. If my knees act up, I’ll definitely stop so I don’t agitate them.

Then I’m running. As one foot is placed in front of the other, all the negative thoughts slowly drift out of my mental space. All the excuses go out the window. What’s the point of excuses when you’re already doing it? And that’s the secret. Getting yourself to do it, instead of just thinking about doing it.

Your brain is the biggest block to getting things done somethings. It’s good at coming up with excuses, making up complaints, even resorting to outright lies to get you to believe that you can’t do it. Don’t listen to it. Don’t believe the lies. You’re better than that. Stronger than that.

I don’t hate running. I know it’s good for me, mentally and physically. I know that I’m better off after my run, then I was before my run. I know that it gives me time to process my thoughts, gets me outside of my home, and it might be the only physical activity I do that entire day. I love running.