Why You Should Literally Follow Your Orders
Running is an exercise suitable for the lazy. Unlike group classes or club sports teams, which require commitment and advance planning in order to reserve (and often pay) your seat, all you need to go for a run is a body, a pair of sneakers, and a way forward. And yet, despite the low barrier of entry that opens my front door and escapes, I sometimes still need incentive to get going.
When a burst of endorphin and the promise of a better mood isn’t enough to motivate me, I’ve found that if I combine running with another task that I don’t really feel like doing it, I’m less likely to talk myself out of it. or. Literally “doing errands,” I feel like a productivity genius who has fought his way to tricking and killing two birds with one stone.
To effectively “run” errands, you need to choose a task that: a) can be done within a manageable mile radius of your starting point, depending on how far you want to run, and b) is not physically cumbersome. You probably won’t want to run off to have your clothes dry cleaned or, I don’t know, return your faulty kitchen appliance to the mall (although you could celebrate freeing yourself from the burden by running home after-drop off). I ran to return a couple of hardback covers to the library – maybe the equivalent of two-pound dumbbells, if that’s the case – but they still fit in my hands and didn’t interfere with my movement. I might look a little odd to a passer-by, but if you’re sweating in public and suffering in front of everyone, it’s a little too late to let shame hold you back.
In general, however, you should avoid running with items that are too bulky. If you need to take money with you, hide your debit card or cash in your shoes. You can wear a belt bag if needed, but I would not recommend it; I don’t like the feeling of my bag slapping my stomach with every step. If you love to run with a backpack , be sure to use it.
One Saturday morning, I ran a mile to my favorite bagel shop and then returned home clutching all the grain in a compact paper bag. When I finally ate the carbs, I tricked myself into thinking I had earned my breakfast. I don’t think anyone should justify eating a bagel, but I do believe that whatever it takes to make you feel better, go for it and good luck.
Other recent things I literally did: pick up a small parcel at the post office; to the printing house for printing and scanning documents (the worst); to the vet to write a prescription for my dog; to the bank to deposit the check. When I needed to pick up my race number for the upcoming half marathon, I ran after it, which seemed appropriate. When I realized that I had left my bike locked outside a subway station, running one way to pick it up and then cycling home, I almost made up for the inconvenience. I also ran to my seat to vote (vote!?), Which temporarily boosted my self-esteem for literally fulfilling my civic duty, even if the results didn’t always turn out as I hoped by the end of the day. As long as the run lasts and as long as you complete the task, at least you are in control of the results.