Outrunning the Excuses

I ran a mile in the rain on Thursday.

Not because I had to (well… sort of), but because I wanted to.

Back in February 2024, I set a goal: run at least 50 miles each month. That last rainy mile on July 31st marked 18 months in a row.

If you know me, you know I love to eat. I still don’t consider myself a runner. Running is just what I do so I don’t have to count calories or say no to another brownie.

But like most habits, the enthusiasm fades. In 2023, I hit my lowest yearly mileage in over a decade. So I tried something new.

I don’t follow the rigid routines: “Run M/W/F,” “Run 4x/week,” “Run every day.” They never work for me. But a monthly mileage goal? That gave me flexibility. Permission to miss a day or even a week, and still succeed.

It works for me and my lifestyle. That’s the key.

Running might not be your thing. But maybe working out is. Or reading more. Or connecting with friends. Whatever your goal, build a system that works for your life, not someone else’s.

And take a minute to reflect on the process. I could’ve run on the treadmill. But choosing the rain gave me a few laughs, a soaked shirt, and a better story.