Enough motivation

Besides the improved condition, both mentally and physically, reaching my ideal weight, the constant clear feeling and the considerable savings that I have received so far by not drinking Tripeltjes or Riojas, there is something else that stands out. And that's the night's sleep that has progressed by leaps and bounds. With the 'nightly recharge' function, my Polar sports watch confirms almost every day that I am more stable during the night than ever before. No more weird heart rate spikes, the same cycles almost every night when it comes to light, deep and REM sleep. Is this only caused by the 'lack' of alcohol or is the daily intake of half a liter of ginger tea before going to sleep also to blame?

Anyway, all things considered, it motivates me to keep up with this new, fresh way of life. Perseverance sounds as if it would be difficult, as if I have to give up something nice, but that is absolutely not the case. I also read in some blogs about the temptations that are apparently lurking, about the devil on your shoulder that whispers in your ear that one can't hurt, about compensating with sweets or snacks. Yes, I eat a bit more chocolate than before, so apparently I'm also compensating somewhere, but I tell myself that after Easter, when the chocolate eggs are gone, this will be a thing of the past. Furthermore, I consider myself lucky that I have no trouble going through life 'dry'. In fact, I'm getting more excited by the day and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Even when my sweet 82-year-old mother-in-law enjoys a good glass of wine during her Sunday dinner with us and Jeanette joins in one glass just for fun (an oldie just doesn't understand that we've been fitting in for a while), I have no problem to keep me with water or a 0.0% IPA. Previously, such a bottle of wine would be empty, nowadays I have more than enough left over for the rest of the week to prepare a stew, finish a gravy or extinguish a fish. The spirit-rich liquid always ends up well in the kitchen and the alcohol evaporates. We don't throw it away, we remain Dutch.

And as if all the above advantages were not enough motivation, I received an email from Le Champion last Tuesday that the TCS Amsterdam Marathon will most likely continue on October 17. Yes yes yes! Finally a (running) event that will go ahead! To me it typifies the beginning of the end of the corona crisis. Of course a packed concert hall or football stadium would also have been nice, but if we can already smell a huge world famous event like the Amsterdam Marathon, then there will certainly be more events, that's for sure. Another 7 months of anticipation, disciplined following a training schedule, if I need it, this is the ultimate stick behind the door to extend my IkPas term. I can complete the half Marathon with flying colours, improving my PR could be a goal there. I have never dared to run a full marathon before, because I was told that it was quite hard, especially for a 56-year-old, so I'm still in doubt about the distance. But I can already picture it… finishing exhausted on the clay court in a buzzing Olympic Stadium and toasting with an isotonic sports drink and a banana, I can already look forward to it!

Roy

PS We were totally blown away after following Francis' viewing tips in her blog last Tuesday, brilliant! More of these kinds of videos? Come on…