Why I Didn’t Skip A Workout – Keeping the Faith

Written by Greg

Just last Friday, I was writing about how much I’m looking forward to exercise in the Spring. Today, I’m considering the irony of being buried under an ice storm. That’s been my life for most of this week. Dear Mother Nature came along and decided to drop a combination of ice, snow, and sleet on our fair home. We suffered little in the immediate vicinity, but the surrounding areas have suffered a substantial amount of damage. It’s amazing how much damage can be done by something as innocuous as ice.

Area homes and businesses have lost electricity. Tree limbs are scattered all over the place from the ice. In some cases, entire trees have been toppled from the weight. Telephone communications have been sporadic, and internet connectivity for the entire area dropped out completely for about a day. Some food items have been a little scarce here, but the outlying areas have had it much worse. “The experts” are saying it could be up to another 5 days before everyone has power again. Needless to say, trips to the gym have not been a priority most of this week.

My Plan to Skip…

Having said all that, last night I packed my gym bag, with the intent to go for a run today. This morning, as I was watching the weather forecast, my motivation was starting to wane. I don’t really mind running in the cold – once I get out there. However, as I walked out the door, I told my wife (who was going to be home with the kids for the third straight day) that if she wanted to come in for lunch, I could be convinced to join her and the kids. If she wanted me to, I would be willing to skip a workout. Just this once…

Apparently, I was too subtle.

About midmorning, I gave her a call to see where I should meet her for lunch. I fully expected that she would be out and about. I was wrong. She said they wouldn’t be out until this afternoon, so I could go ahead and run. Rats! She had taken away my excuse.

So, like a good little trooper, I stomped up to change for my lunchtime run. Once I got out there, it was fine. I got in a 5K run, in spite of the fact that the wind chill was 17-degrees F. Not that I’m bitter. My former running partner even joined me on his bike for a while. I guess it worked out for the best. I ended up feeling better after the run, which I hadn’t done in four days. But, I need work on that whole communication thing.

Have you ever had a your planned excuse to skip a workout jerked out from underneath you? Did they know what they were doing? Just curious as to whether its only me.