Posting this today as part of Tuesdays on The Run! Love this link up and the topics are always fun. Today? What’s your biggest Running Struggle. Mine is simply getting the energy to get out the door!

There’s this strange thing that happens to me when I get really tired and worn out.

I think I don’t have the time or energy to run. But it’s not true. In fact, it’s a big stinky liar liar pants on fire fraud.

Because the truth is, and deep down we all know it, when we run, or work out regularly, it doesn’t drain energy – it gives it!

But I always forget. Coming home from a long day at work, it feels much more life-giving to lay on the couch and watch Gilmore Girls. Now, the Gilmore Girls part I do believe is life-giving, but the couch part? Not so much.

I have fallen into this trap approximately 628 times in the 7 years that I’ve been a runner. And the ironic thing is, I started running to help combat depression and anxiety and I know that it works.  And even better than that, really smart running expert people who write for Runner’s World know it works.

So WHY do I constantly fall into the trap of  believing the lie? Why would my own mind conspire against me like that? Answer: no idea. Although this article from the NY Times (complete with rats who like to run and rats who don’t and genetic evidence) seems to give some clues. Curious, how did they know the rat liked to run? Was it wearing a Just Do It shirt? Did it have a 13.1 sticker on the back of its little rat mobile?

Bottom line: 75% of the time, when I go for a run, I don’t feel like it.

And you may not either. But do it anyway. Because after you’ll feel balanced and that lovely serotonin level will go up, and you’ll find yourself wanting to love people more and punch them less. And that can change the world. Less punching. More loving.