Runner's guilt

I have a sign on the bulletin board in front of my treadmill. It reads: "If you had gone running when you first started thinking about it, you'd be back by now." It's a great sign, but it only works when I heed its advice. Today was a beautiful day. Warm and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Jamie was home so I had the opportunity to go for a run on the greenway. I was just too tired. And now I feel guilty. Now I have a headache and can't even muster the energy to hit the treadmill for two measly miles. Runner's guilt gets me every time. It will eat away at me until I finally drag myself out for a run which hopefully will be tomorrow.

Motivation is usually plentiful for me, especially when I put big races on the horizon. In March I'm going to get back into distance running with the Knoxville 1/2 Marathon. Then I'll do the Chickamauga 1/2 Marathon next November. My biggest running goal lies 14 months away in the Sunshine State. I'm going to shell out $300 so I can run a 1/2 marathon and a marathon on back-to-back days. Most people think this kind of torture means I should be admitted to a mental institution. I on the other hand know it will keep me motivated and driven to run even on those days when I don't think I can.

As for now, I have a 5K in two weeks and I need to get some more miles under my belt to get ready. In the meantime I'll just sit here on the couch with my girls and watch some football.