A Wren Says

Over ten years ago, I decided to sign up for my first 5k. I remember that moment now, as I look down at the sweatpants that I bought to train all winter in. I was so excited by the prospect of the race that I went on a shopping spree to buy everything I would need, new clothes to wear on runs and new shoes for all those extra miles. I went on a run here and there, especially running in the cold to show my dedication. And then I didn’t.

The training was sporadic, some would say nonexistent. But I showed up for race day and completed the 5k all the same.

The same pattern would continue. I would sign up for a race, excited that this would be the moment that changed my habits finally. And then training would fizzle out. Finally, in the run up of my hardest race, Hyrox, I was certain that this would be the moment that I finally changed. And yet the behavior continued. Wearing these pants now has reminded me of that this has been a consistent pattern throughout my life. How do I finally break free?

I don’t want to continue down this journey of effectively giving up on pursuing my goals. I don’t want to continue putting in half efforts, guaranteeing myself dismal results. I know that getting a new outfit or new shoes won’t break me out of this habit. Instead, I’m going to have to put on discipline and a new mindset to move forward. The question for me is how?

How do I finally commit? How do I create the environment I need that will support my progress? How do I finally gain consistency? What will it take for the next outfit I buy become a reminder for me of the commitments I made and kept to myself?