Next year I will run in the MTN marathon

Every year in November, I tell myself, “I will run in the MTN Marathon next year”. And every next year that comes, I tell myself “next year”.

The MTN Kampala Marathon is a yearly event that occurs in Kampala, sponsored by Uganda’s largest telecom company and attracting tens of thousands of participants, from professional runners to those just out to have a good time. The number of participants has steadily increased from 1500 when it first started in the mid 2000's to more than 25,000 in this year’s event. There are different causes each year. This year the proceeds are to go towards the improvement of maternal health. 

So, every year, at the start of November the marathon fever kicks in, with catchy ads on TV and radio, calling people to buy kits and register. And it is only then that I remember I had promised myself that I would run in the marathon that year. Of course I sigh and promise myself “next year”.

I could be like the greater number of entrants that simply wake up that Sunday morning, with an exercise history of minimum-to-none over the last 12 months and jump onto the track for the fun of it. Or I could choose to be one of those that hears the ads and get psyched up, does a crush gym course trying to get in shape and then shows up on Marathon Sunday.

But I don't like to do something unless I can do it well. And I know that a marathon cannot be successfully run without proper preparation. By proper I mean steady, consistent endurance training over several months. That includes (majorly) running. Running to build a rhythm, running to master breathing, running to build endurance, running, running, running. But running of any sort holds no allure for me. My idea of a workout is Zumba, Aerobics or a spin class, none of which can get me marathon ready.

Then there’s the issue of time. It is an excuse, I know. If I really want it I will make the time for it, but I have so far convinced myself that I do not really have the time to be running around. I could think of so many “more constructive” things I could be doing in that time. 

But this year, like all the years before, I told myself I would run in the MTN Marathon next year. I know I need to want to run in the marathon so bad that I will make the time for training. I need to find an infallible reason why I want to run the marathon. I need to find a coach or motivator – someone to drag me out of bed on Saturday mornings and check up on my running program for the week. Otherwise November 2020 will come around and I will go “Next year I will run in the MTN marathon”. Anyone offering to help me out?