Consistency With Accountability

 I was discussing this week with my running friend (whom we will call "J") how when I run with her, I am a full minute and a half to two minutes faster per mile than when I run on my own. I can go out for a solo run with every intention to keep a certain pace or even not care about pace but try to run/walk at specific intervals. Once the miles get harder or uncomfortable, my thoughts tell me "You know you'll have a harder run with J tomorrow, so you can take it easy today." Sometimes I will then only run for two miles and end up walking the last one. I was wondering on Thursday how long I'm going to keep going at this 5K distance. Since the only goal I set was to run or walk a 5K distance three to four times a week, there is nothing set in place to challenge myself to go further. I have become comfortable with ending right around three miles and there is no motivation to run or even walk on my "off" days. With this mindset, I don't believe there will be any growth. 

I firmly believe that in order to grow in one's running ability, there needs to be consistency. Yet, I make excuses for not being consistent in my own life. I jokingly said to J that "I figure I'm awake and out there so that's good enough. At least I didn't stay in bed like I would rather do." While some credit should be given to me for getting up and getting out there, I am still slacking by letting myself get away with the excuses. The bible talks about consistency in 1 Corinthians 15:58 when it says, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (CSB). While this talks about being steadfast, immovable and always excelling in the Lord's work (which is our greatest mission), I believe this applies to everything in life. If we want to improve at something, consistency is key. I could change this verse to say be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in my runs because I know that my miles are not in vain. 

For me, accountability is also a key piece to growth. While no one is specifically checking in with me from day to day asking if I ran or how far I went, I do know that people would notice if I stopped getting the miles in. I am good at keeping myself accountable to a certain degree but would make more changes if I knew I had to report to someone else. Take nutrition, for instance. If I had to put everything that I ate on a daily basis in a blog for others to see, I would probably make better choices for myself. Hmmm....that's a thought. Hebrews 10:24-25 (CSB) says, "And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching". By partnering with someone to keep you accountable, you are "provoked" and "encouraged." Webster's definition of provoke is to "call forth (a feeling or an action)" or "stir up purposely" and encourage means "to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope" and "to spur on."

J has decided she will make a plan for me to follow, challenging me to run at different distances when I am running on my own. Pace will not be a guiding factor. The purpose will be to grow the mental stamina on my solo runs. This will help me to be more consistent in forcing myself to maintain running form as well as keeping me accountable as I check in with her. I was resistant to this idea at first and, honestly, I still have hesitations. However, I know that this is needed if I want to see improvement. Is there an area in your life that you want to make changes? I encourage you to set goals to be consistent and also get an accountability partner who will spur you on and encourage you to meet the goals you have set for yourself. I would love to hear about the progress you make by following these two principles. You got this!