Choices

"Will you look back on life and say, "I wish I had," or "I'm glad I did"? -Zig Ziglar


Options, we all have them. With every course of action we get more of something and less of something else. Small and big choices alike, our lives are the sum of them. All too often we put off a goal or dream for another time, another place, but the truth is, tomorrow is promised to no one, tomorrow is a lie. That thing you want to do, that person you want to be—start today, take that first step, make that first choice.


Figure out what you want most, don't let what you want now get in the way. Never exchange the short-term good thing for the long-term best thing. Let's say you have a goal of losing some weight and running a half marathon. You know you need to train so you figure you'll wake up ninety minutes earlier a few days a week and pound some pavement. The alarm goes off, you're tired, and you have to be at work in 2 hours. What will it hurt to hit the snooze button oh, say, 7 times? You do need your rest, and man, that pillow feels good. The short-term good thing is sleep - we all like it. The long-term best thing is crossing that finish line, fitting into that dress, or having six-pack abs. Look, I feel your pain. I'm not a morning person, but I now sometimes have to indulge and drink coffee - this helps. It's tough to keep the main thing the main thing. It's hard to always focus on the big picture. This is where we could all use a hand.


This past winter in The Big Smoke was treacherous; we set an all time wind and cold record (at least it felt that way - have I mentioned my loathing of 60km winds?!). Waking up, looking outside at snow, icicles, and seeing minus 20 degrees on the thermometer was enough to make me just say "screw it".  But I knew - and continue to know and believe - that if you quit just once, it becomes easier, until it becomes a habit.


King Solomon said, "As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another." There are few things that will help get you out the door more than some good old-fashioned accountability... but ultimately, it's up to you. You can watch Rocky and Rudy, read every book and blog, you can be motivated by Robbins and be trained by the best (shout out to Matt Loiselle!), but in the end, it's your choice alone. You have to decide where you want your choices to lead.


Renowned children's author Madeline L'Engle said, "Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it." I've found this true in just about every area of life, particularly running. Inspiration rarely finds you on the couch; it likes to wait around the first corner. On days when I'm having trouble getting out the door for a run or swim, I have a trick: I shut my mind off, get dressed, lace 'em up, and just walk out the door. Simple as that. It's not inspiration's job to come find us, it's our job to go find inspiration. The key to training, and life, is taking that first step. The first step is the best step; it's where intent meets action. Don't talk about it; be about it. Don't put it off, take that first step, you'll be glad you did.


run fast
John