Motivating Factor

Crazy how everyone in life needs a motivating factor, a "why" as Hungry calls it. I am suppose to run a half marathon in October and to be completely honest I have absolutely no desire to run even the first mile of it. I have no desire to have anything to do with it, except of course to pick up my t-shirt. I am suppose to be training alot harder than I am. I can blame it on a ton of different things, but at the end of the day its all about me and my motivation to run. Well, I have already signed up and paid for the darn 1/2 marathon so I might as well run it. I hate wasting money, so at the end of October I will be running myself 13.1 miles for the simple pleasure of saying I did it.

Last night was amusing to me. I came home from work to run some errands, I was going to hit the gym (for some great significant run) right when I was done running errands, but it was getting close to 5pm so I decided I would just come home. Now in the back of my mind I am thinking that the 5pm is a great excuse to not go work out, but at the end of the day that isn't who I was raised to be. Hungry got home we got to chatting and I was trying to convince him that he wanted to go with me, if for nothing else than a swim. In the mean time, Swallow came home with a bottle of vino. I asked her if she wanted to go as well and before I can even finish my question I get a "hell no!" She instead opened that bottle and had a ciggarette. That alone convinced Hungry to go to the gym with me. Before we left for the gym Swallow had already finished 2 glasses of wine and was starting on her 3rd. God love her! We waited till about 6:45 to head over there because majority of the 5pm crowd would be gone and I would get in a decent work out and swim. He wasn't thrilled about going but he tagged along.

My swimming is vastly improving, I am swimming almost 1/2 mile in under 12 minutes. The goal for myself is under 10, don't ask why thats my goal...but it is. I have never been a real strong swimmer, if you ask my mom she will tell you its my "strongest weakness." I can't lie, she is correct. Most sports come incredibly easy, however, swimming never was one of them! However, I am improving everyday, I even had a few people compliment me on my form and speed. Rock on! That is the motivating factor in itself. I know that I have major strides yet to overcome in the pool, but I am improving everyday. I even have some random fools asking me for help or asking how long I have been a swimmer. If you look at my back you can tell I am no true swimmer, but at the end of the day I look half way decent doing it. Its also a killer exercise.

On our way home, Hungry thanked me for dragging him to the gym. Its always nice to bounce motivation off of each other. Maybe we can start training for the half marathon together instead of apart. Because as I see it, the 1/2 marathon is an entirely different set of motivation than just getting off the couch and going to the gym. I need to find a motivating factor for the long term, because I absolutely hate running! If someone can enlighten me with a reason or a goal or even a sad story I am sure I will be more inclined to continue those long runs.