Warmer weather arrives languidly in Canada. I’m scheduled to run a 5K on St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s the earliest I’ve ever raced in the year, and the threat of a chilly, snowy run is at the forefront of my mind.
Normally, I spend the weeks preceding a race running daily outside to prepare my mind and body. But fluctuating temperatures have left sidewalk surfaces slick, and though I’ve seen some die-hard runners brave the elements to condition themselves, I have a genuine fear of falling on the ice.
And so I’ll be running my first race of the year with minimal training aside from treadmill runs at the gym, and minimal enthusiasm for the expectantly frigid weather come race day.
If any positive comes from this experience, it’s that I can parlay advice on how writers and other creatives can find the strength to get started, even when they’re woefully underprepared, such as I am.
You Don’t Have to Save the World
I’m sure there are people who flourish with running in the winter, and are keen to achieve a personal best record for the upcoming 5K. I, dear reader, am NOT one of those people.
While running in extreme heat is a danger in and of itself, running in the cold has its own myriad of undesirable issues. Running in my winter coat is absurd, so I must plan ahead, factoring in how early I’d need to arrive at the race to check my coat in with baggage check and still have time to find my starting position amongst the other runners.
I have to wear earmuffs and gloves, lest speeding by in the cold air turn my extremities into icicles and make me miserable. Given all these factors, my only goal for the race is to just finish it.
Same with writing; if you’re starting a project and feel you haven’t done enough research, don’t worry about it! Don’t get bogged down by the details and stifle your progress by trying to get all the facts straight. Just get from point A to point B. Don’t worry about trying to set the writing world ablaze, just worry about having a finished product.
Praise Yourself for Showing Up
I don’t expect a wonderful showing during my winter 5K, but I can already tell you I’ve beaten most of the people in Toronto. Why? Because most people can’t be bothered to participate in a winter 5K!
Regardless of my results, I can take pride in knowing that I did more than the people who chose to stay home or whose only excuse to go outside was to grab a pint of green beer for the holiday.
Likewise, a writer should be proud of the fact that they created something, as many people never get past the idea stage or beyond saying “Someday I’ll write it.” You’ve written it! That effort deserves a pat on the back.
Recognize that Discipline Trumps Motivation
Do I want to run a race in the cold? No.
Do I want to have a worse race than normal because I didn’t prepare? No.
Am I going to do it anyway? You betcha.
In the summer I’m eager to participate in every race for which I register. When it comes to races in the early part of the year, my motivation’s at an all-time low.
Despite my best intentions, I can’t get myself in a runner’s mindset to be enthusiastic about putting foot to pavement when said pavement may be still covered in snow.
And you know what? That’s okay! I will still run even though my motivation is depleted. That’s because I know there’s only positives attached to running the race.
🍀I can tick off the St. Patrick’s Day Run as a yet another 5K I’ve done
🍀I’ll be saying yes to my health and fitness
🍀I’ll be one step closer to a “bikini body” for the summer
🍀I’ll have officially kick-started my training to prepare for a half-marathon later in the year
As a writer, I know that there are some days where you just do not feel like writing. Your motivation is shot. That’s okay – but write anyway.
The only way you’ll improve in your craft is to just do it, keep practicing. That discipline is crucial in seeing a project to completion, in much the same way that it’s discipline that spurs on the reluctant novice runner to race with faster, more qualified competitors. I may not be great today, but with every cold weather race, participation will be less and less painful, and I’ll be able find my stride.
Have you ever started something (writing, running, or otherwise) where you just didn’t feel prepared? How did you come to terms with your inexperience, and what gave you the courage to just go for it anyway? Please discuss!