Monday, October 12, 2009

Satan, Thy Name Is Procrastination



Maybe it's the time of the year? Or maybe I have finally found the thing I excel in? Wasting time?

Saturday is "long run" day, but because I'm not running with any particular group (there's no more Trail Snails, sniff!), and no one is waiting for me, this is what happens:

7:00 a.m. Wake up, make breakfast. Get on computer. Read e-mails. Cruise the New York Times.

Look! It's only 7:30! I can get out to the trail by 8, home by 9:30, perfect. Whole day in front of me. I'll just quickly check out the comments on this Washington Post article...

...I can't believe people actually believe that the H1N1 vaccine is a mad pinko Communist gummint plot to take over the world!!! Must lower blood pressure. Let's check Google Reader.

Time: 8 a.m. No problem. I can get on the trail by 8:30, be home by 10. Whole day in front of me. Meanwhile, let's check out Crooks and Liars.

Maybe cruise over to Andrew Sullivan.

There's PLENTY of time to check Facebook.

Just, you know, to see if anyone posted anything interesting.

Wouldn't want to be left out.

WTF!?! How did it get to be 10 a.m.?!?!


And, etc. Like that.

Until it's noon. And then my day is messed up.

Even better is Sunday morning, when I actually DO have to be somewhere by 11ish, and the morning starts the exact same way, with GOBS of time to go for a nice long bike ride, right up until it's 10:30 and TOO LATE to go.

I'm a menace to myself.

Why do I do this?? I didn't used to be like this. Apparently, I cannot be left to my own devices.

Do you do this? How do you stop it?? Cuz it's starting to screw up my life!

In other news, I ran 7 miles on Saturday, which is the farthest I've run since last spring!

It's all coming together!

12 comments:

21stCenturyMom said...

The solution is clear and when I'm feeling strong I use it - NO COMPUTER until after the run or the ride or the swim. Got it - NO COMPUTER! First workout, then surf. That's how it goes.

Anne said...

Funny, but I'm doing it now - reading blogs instead of putting on my running shorts and shoes and heading out. Went to check the weather online, and decided to check email, a few blogs, ... I know this won't help, but I'm so glad it's just not me.

Lesser is More said...

I definitely do the same thing! I'll tell myself that I need some motivation, so I'll check out some of the blogs that I know will give me some food for thought out on the road. But then I check the time, and oops, I've been sitting there for an hour already.

I think the key is to repeat to yourself the night before that you will get up and go run FIRST thing in the morning and then say it to yourself again once you wake up. Lay out all your clothes and gear so that all you have to do is wake up, put on clothes and get out the door.

ShirleyPerly said...

I think computers are an evil, addictive thing. I too can get carried away reading email, blogs, surfing, etc., and waste time for hours. I don't even dare get a Facebook account for that reason. The only ways I can get things done is to:

1) not turn the computer on
2) put a very strict time limit on its use when having something else to do
3) only post & read blogs a couple times a week (vs. every day like I used to)

Good luck!!!

Maryland Girl aka Michelle said...

I think we both had that bug this past weekend! I know we are on different run schedules right now, but perhaps we can motivate each other a little and maybe even catch a run in together.

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

But it's fall! There is no need to get out the door at the crack of dawn anymore! In fact, isn't it even more enjoyable to run mid-morning?

LBTEPA said...

I was going to comment on this, but I couldn't be bothered
:P

iJuls said...

I like 21st CM's advice for NO COMPUTER but... what about the iPhone. It's just so hard.

Kathleen Lisson said...

This post is the story of my life before every Sunday run. Only I like to go back to sleep after I eat breakfast. Sigh.

Judi said...

i am right there w/ you.

Shawn said...

That's exactly what happens to hubby and I and one of the reasons I 'train' by racing on the weekends - lol I've never procrastinated through a race start.

But, I think my races are almost over, so I'll have to find some new motivation -- what to do -- what to do!?

Susan said...

You're a hoot!

I truly believe that the internet has messed ua ALL up. And I don't even have internet on my phone...