Day 31 – Small Goals Lead to BIG Wins!

by Bill Wallace on May 8, 2008

Yesterday was a good day for me.

For one simple reason: My usual 4km run/walk was completed at 9:01pm after a late start. I’d left work later than normal, had a light dinner and watched a couple of shows.

I had planned a rest day.

But then I thought (but not too much) “with everyone out and me here alone, why not go for a jog.” So, I did. I was just going to walk the whole 4.61km and take my time.

Then a thought hit me: why not jog the whole way, no matter how slowly.

I hadn’t done this yet. It has always been run, walk, run, walk. The runs were hard but always ended in a walk to recover. Heart rate would get up to 164+.

In fact, I had a best walk/run time of 24+ minutes so I wasn’t going so bad.

This time thought I committed to jogging the whole way, no matter how long it took, as long as I was in jog “mode”.

So, I did! I jogged the whole way. Sometimes quicker, sometimes slower but I jogged the whole 4.61 km!

There were plenty of time my head said, you’ve never jogged this far, have a walk! But no, each light pole was a goal. the turnaround point was a goal, the roundabout just before home was a goal and the street I lived on was a goal.

I got to my front door, almost not wanting to finish!

But I had achieved my goal.

I had jogged the whole way.

The time: 23:10 my BEST time yet, road or treadmill!

No heart rate measures this time but I will tonight or tomorrow (Probably do a swim tonight!).

What are your small goals and what bigger goal do they lead to?

Those small goals will get you to a big win!

Bill

  • http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com Andrew is getting fit

    You are not jogging at those speeds. That’s running. That’s actually an incredible time for someone who is running it for the first time. I’ve never gone that fast – not even in a race.

  • http://www.billstrainingblog.com Bill Wallace

    Oh, well that will explain why I’m out of breath all the time. :)
    That’s actually good advice to get, thanks Andrew. As I’m doing this myself I don’t know what the measures are. Maybe I should slow it down a little. It’s also something to do with the impatience streak in me – once I start something I want it DONE! Not always a good thing!