The best, achieve despite undesirable conditions.

So you look outside. And the 1st thing you see through the window is that the running conditions are terrible; They’re far from ideal. So your first inclination is to just go back to bed and wait until it warms up or maybe hang tight until the rain or snow stops, which the majority of us would find completely reasonable, by the way. But let’s look at it, from a different angle; because this is the exact situation when it’s most important to get out of bed, to put your running shoes on and to head out your front door. There is an undervalued benefit that comes from putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation; from forcing yourself to be just a little bit irrational.

When you look at those who have been successful. What separates them is that they do things and make sacrifices that others would not. They’re the people that study until 3am or wake up at 4am to work on a graduate degree. Some wake up while it’s still dark outside to practice free throws, while the rest of the world sleeps. Whatever the specific skillset may be. The pattern is always the same. They were willing to pay a price that most wouldn’t. Because they wanted it a little nit more.

So, what does this have to do with running in inclement weather; It has everything to do with it. Why is it that when you run outside on a cold, rainy windy day, no one’s out there? Well, it’s not because you’re doing anything that in itself is so great or heroic. You’re running alone because it sucks to have the cold wind blowing in your face. That’s not relaxing or enjoyable. It’s uncomfortable. But you’re out there when everyone else is warm inside and there is value to that. Training yourself to follow through with your ambitions regardless of hurdles, because life will not always be comfortable. What are you going to do when things get bad? Your marriage starts getting hard, you lose a girlfriend or you lose a job. Are you just going to stay in bed? Because there will always be a reason to wait for later and hope for smoother waters ahead.

But the best, achieve despite undesirable conditions. Then suddenly, meeting your goals has become a habit and not just something left up for chance So now you don’t even look at the weather. The forecast becomes very little significant to you. So it’s cold, great. So you’ll put on two sweatshirts, but you’ll figure out how to finish the course and get it done. That mentality doesn’t leave you.

You’ll realize that 99% of the reasons we give for not doing things are excuses; they’re meaningless. If you want to accomplish something, just do it. And Guy’s, That’s not a cliché; It’s the key to your success. Find a way to get it done. And the best part, when it’s finally 72 and sunny and the rest of the world is ready to run with perfect conditions, you’ll have lapped that track so many times that your competition isn’t even on the same level. Your performance will make that apparent. That’s how you become the best. So don’t avoid inclement weather. Run right on through it.