Ready to make 2020 the best year yet
In the middle of my fourth 1-mile repeat during this morning’s workout, I had four consecutive thoughts. First, “my right Achilles isn’t tight or hurting!” I can’t remember my last run where I wasn’t painfully aware of my Achilles. “This is hard,” came next, as my fourth repeat finished with a half mile uphill. Woof. Very quickly it changed to “this is fun” and “this year has just begun.” Something about pushing hard on a workout brings me clarity. And today’s clear head made me realize — I’m still on the 2020 start line.
I have always been the most motivated in January. So many people make resolutions for the new year, because it’s a great time marker. New year, new me.
I listened to a podcast (that my wife Rachel sent me) this week. It was an episode of The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos (link to the episode here). In the episode, called “2020 Bonus: A New Hope,” guest scientist Katy Milkman talked about the importance of fresh start moments. The first of the year, a birthday, starting a new job, graduating, and other “temporal boundaries.” According to the research, humans are prone to think of themselves in categories of before and after these time-line points.
Because my birthday is on New Year’s Eve, I think my desire to use January 1 as a temporal boundary is incredibly strong. When my 2019 goals weren’t attainable (which happened around the start of fall), I started looking forward to the new year as the point when I could get back on track. My 2020 start line.
There is very little difference between me the last two weeks of December and me today. Yet, in December, I avoided the work I knew I needed.
The podcast goes on to describe a technique called temptation bundling that can help people stick to their resolutions. If you’re looking for a way to make positive life change, go listen to the podcast.
Running has been difficult for me since May of last year. So many runs have felt miserable, with my brain telling me to give up. Today’s run, however, gave me hope. I still struggled to breathe, and my repeat times weren’t as good as they were in the past. But I caught a glimpse of the big picture.
Today’s run almost didn’t happen. I tried to talk myself out of it for about an hour after I woke up at 5:30 a.m. “You can do it tonight,” I told myself. Then, after the 1-mile warmup, I thought: “you can ditch the workout portion for now and do it later.”
I’m glad I didn’t give in to my inner doubt and laziness.
Rachel’s work schedule puts me running really early in the morning during the week. In the past, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get up and out the door. Surprisingly, I’ve been able to become more of a morning person with the sunrise as my reward. Today I watched the sun slowly light the sky above me, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. On Tuesday, I saw the first light hit Red Rock Canyon, one of the most stunning views possible.
So to anyone who set goals for the year (including me) — get up and chase them.
Watch the sun come up.
We’re still on the 2020 start line.