I will run a marathon
Running is the ultimate workout. Unfortunately I suck at it. ⚡️ lifetothemax #23 ⚡️
Running is the ultimate workout.
Ever since I started watching Casey Neistat back in high school, running has been the apex sport in my mind. You can run anywhere, anytime, any weather. Just throw on some sneakers and go. The beauty is in its simplicity.
I also happen to be surrounded by some pretty amazing runners in my friend group. For example, my “Accountability Buddy” Oscar once ran three marathons in the span of three days (he also has a newsletter where he talks about his goals: Big Rig’s Small Steps).
In theory, running is amazing.
The issue is I’m a terrible runner.
I’ve tried running in the past, even somewhat consistently. I would pick it up for a week or two (when the motivation came). I bought some decent running shoes and gear to go with “my new lifestyle”. I’d get really pumped, and I’d share all my runs on Strava. But without fail, I would always quit for one reason or another (when the motivation left).
And also, I’m slow. I’m dead slow. Strangely, I’m also a very fast walker, which means whenever I run I’m left with the feeling that I run slower than I walk. Not great for motivation.
I’ve gone on runs with friends who considered themselves slow and I’d be left in the dust every time. Once, I completed a five-mile race back in 2017 (The “Irish Pub Road Race”). I walked half the race. It took me over an hour to finish. I also tend to sweat from every pore in my body without fail during every run.
My body just doesn’t like running.
But I like it. So I’m going to do it.
This is practically a cliché at this point because I say it so often, but the difference is that now I have a newsletter that I use to build tenable longstanding habits. Why not apply this to running?
I want to run more. In fact, I want to be a runner. James Clear discusses this difference in “Atomic Habits”. It’s the difference between just building a habit, and building an identity. When you say “I’m a runner”, every run becomes a “vote” towards that identity. This same principle also works against you. A runner can’t stop running or they are no longer a runner. Not running is a vote against that identity.
So, how do I become a runner? In the same that way I became a reader and a newsletter writer. Building and maintaining habits.
Therefore, I need to set a new habit. I just realized that last week I actually completed one of my goals for the year. I had set the goal of working out once a week (granted, this was an easy goal, but already a big improvement over 2020), and I have now worked out 59 times. Amazing! I’m proud of myself. But now it’s time to set a new workout goal for the rest of the year.
Here’s the new goal: Work out four times a week (as of today, Sunday, July 18th), including at least two runs. Over the past few weeks I’ve consistently worked out 6-7 times, so I think this is doable. It gives me a little bit of leeway while keeping the goal hard enough to keep it interesting.
Now, after reading this newsletter so far, you may be interested to see how I’m going to bridge the gap between “I’m a terrible runner” and “I will run a marathon”.
But the answer is quite simple, you silly goose.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m not always a very rational person. I like to strive for things that don’t always make sense given my current ability. Like when I decided to vlog daily on youtube having never edited a video before. Or when I started writing a novel in sixth grade even though French was my worst subject (I believe I managed to write four chapters, and I vaguely remember that the story involved KitKats and some Greek mythology). None of this makes sense, but it’s not about making sense. It’s about dreaming.
And right now, I dream that I will run a marathon next year.
I’ve got my sights on 2022. I want to set up some habits now for the goals that I will set myself then. One of those goals, I’m announcing now, will be running a marathon.
For now, all I have to do is run.
2021 has been the year of setting some good basic habits.
2022 will be the year of setting reach-goals and piggy-backing off the solid foundation of good habits to see what I’m truly capable of. Should be fun. How about sticking around for the ride?
I’m keeping this newsletter shorter than usual. Sorry, gotta run!
💪 Goals
Year Progress: 54%
Publish one newsletter a week.
Read 30 minutes a day. (182 hours total)
✅ Work out once a week.
Post 52 videos on TikTok.
Consume less, create more.
Meditate daily.
Paint two paintings.
Do a Leetcode coding problem each week.
Get a tattoo.
Make music.
NEW GOAL: Work out 4 times a week, including 2 runs (as of July 18th)
📥 Input
Newsletters posted: 23 📈 +1
Hours read this year: 99.5 📈 +3.5 (on schedule)
Workouts this year: 59 📈 +6 (31 ahead of target)
TikToks posted in 2021: 9 (@maxzechef) + 11 (@maxlascombe) = 20 📈 +3 (8 behind target)
Screen time this week: 28h
Number of times meditated: 20 📈 +8 (1 behind schedule)
📤 Output
Newsletter subscribers: 46 (thank you ❤️)
Books read this year: 15
Number of abs: 1
TikTok followers: 126 (@maxzechef) + 41 (@maxlascombe)
📚 Reading
Currently reading:
“The Hobbit”, J. R. R. Tolkien.
“Animal Farm”, George Orwell.
“The Tipping Point”, Malcolm Gladwell.
Please leave any book recommendations in the comments and add me on Goodreads.
🗓 Daily Routine
Thanks to all my subscribers and readers new and old. Really means a lot that you read this week after week. If you’re not reading from your email inbox, please consider subscribing below:
See you next Sunday ❤️
In the meantime, you can read last week’s newsletter:
A small step for mankind a giant step for Max
Let us know which marathon and we’ll follow & support 💪🏃