It’s been an odd few years for me fitness-wise. There were the lockdowns where I got fit and loved running on deserted streets. I was so into it that even my wife got involved for a time! My speed and condition soared. Then there was the comedown, as lockdown dragged on, lethargy set in and the waistband expanded. The impatient comeback resulted in an overuse (too much too soon) hamstring injury and the advice to stop running for 2 months.

After a few weeks, I was back where I started, tipping the wrong side of the scales. It was disconcerting how easily I got into the habit of not exercising. Easing into the day with a cup of tea and reading the news took over from early alarm calls and the hunt for hats and gloves in the darkness.

There were positive outcomes of the enforced layoff. I felt rested. Other niggly injuries cleared up. I had time to take a step back and think about what I want really wanted to do and not continuing to do something, just because I’d always done so.

The enforced break sparked the urge to get back, but this time I was going to do it properly and I needed to be ready.

I thought about what I needed to –

• Watch all the running videos on YouTube to find the secret I’m missing
• Buy a new pair of running shoes (something that never really goes away)
• Buy a new Garmin Forerunner, as mine just does not have enough feature. I definitely need the Triathlon part!
• Purchase a monthly subscription to a fitness app and get shredded
• Find and enter the perfect race
• Write a new training plan for said event
• Realign my Zone 2 heart rate numbers
• Devise a stretching plan to aid running
• Find a strength workout to improve my running
• Check out the very expensive green shake supplements
• Find the ultimate wicking base layer
• Update the Awesome Running Playlist
• Buy a park run barcode wristband
• Pay subscription to local running club
• Research other sports which help make you a faster runner

Some of these are said in jest. Some of them are not. I definitely watched some videos on YouTube. I did buy a new pair of running shoes. I did some serious research into a new Garmin Forerunner and how to go about getting as much money off as possible. I entered a race (I did not run) and wrote a training plan.

My point is, I spent a fair bit of time doing things that would prepare me for running but did not involve actually going frickin’ running.

I was aware of what I was doing, and that I just needed to go running. Just to start. Pop my kit on, get out the door and do 10-15 mins. Have a rest day and do it again the following day. If I can’t actually run or train, then I just do something active that day and there was no problem with that.

You can call it procrastination, or maybe it’s overthinking. There are many ways in which you can help your running, but the main one is to actually do some.