I checked again, even though I knew the answer. Windy and 42 degrees for a high. In case you haven’t heard, I’m running a half marathon in March. I need to get in my thrice weekly runs so I can finish the race without embarrassing myself. Treadmills are torture, and I’m not a fan of the colder weather. I need to run at least 3 miles, that’s it. I psyched myself up and jetted home from work so I could get out there before dark. I double layered everything. I even found my jogging gloves.
I was still cold. I was contemplating my misery at about the 2 mile mark, gale force winds blasting me in the face, fully decked out head to toe in winter running apparel, when a petite young woman sprinted past me. I was going at about a 10 min/mile pace, but she was absolutely moving. As I watched her figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance I realized with shock that she was wearing shorts. I was already doubting my speed and physical ability, and now I was forced to question my toughness as well. It was brutal, but you’ll be happy to know that I soldiered through and managed to make it home. I just checked the weather for Saturday. Cloudy with a high of 43. No wind though, so maybe it won’t be so bad … Who am I kidding? My running plan has “8 miles” written on it for this weekend. It will be bad. I’m going to do it though. I signed up for a half marathon, in case you haven’t heard. This long run is on the plan. I’m going to do it.
This experience is teaching me something about myself that I kind of knew, but didn’t really grasp until now. Left to my own will and choices, I’m not very disciplined. Given the choice, I waste a lot of time, I spend money, I procrastinate, I sleep in late, and I’m unreliable. I’ve learned over the years to mitigate this personality trait by setting up external pressures which force me to do the right thing. For over 20 years I’ve woken up before 5:30 am to work out 2 or 3 times a week. The only way I’ve been able to do that is by scheduling to meet someone at the gym to work out. Without that commitment to a friend, I end up rolling over and going back to sleep. (Which I do on too many occasions anyway.) In the same way, I’ve been most successful with my finances when I have a set goal in sight, like when Lianne and I planned for children, or when we determined to pay off the house. I’ve been addicted to a silly game called Clash Royale for a while now. It’s fun, but I spend way too much time on it. Two days ago I gave myself a 15 minute time limit for the game on our Circle internet monitoring system. It cuts me off and I’m done.
These are all aspects of accountability, which is a time-honored concept in religion and business. As Gordon Tredgold says, “Accountability doesn’t happen just by chance, it has to be implemented.” As the Bible says in Hebrews, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” I need this constantly to prevent a decline into selfishness and laziness. It works for me, and I’m happier and more fulfilled when I live a disciplined life.
This applies to our family as well, so we’ve implemented a weekly meeting where we review all of the things that each child needs to get done during that week. Mom told me that she and Dad learned early in parenthood that “children will do what you inspect, not what you expect.” That’s what we are trying to do, for ourselves and our children. Hopefully this weekly planning will help us all to be more disciplined in our house, and also set the kids up for success later in life.
With 2019 already under way, I encourage you to figure out how to set up accountability for those new year’s goals. I knew that I was lacking in cardiovascular exercise, and I’ve wanted to add that to my routine for years. Now I’m running at least 12 miles every week. How did I manage that? I signed up for a half marathon. Oh, you hadn’t heard?
Wish me luck. #shamrockon