I tried doing 5k the boring way and it worked that actually stuck

> Tiny progress is still progress.

That line sounds cheesy, but it got me through the part where training stopped feeling new.

The detail that surprised me was how much a neighborhood park changed the outcome. Same plan, different setting, completely different energy.

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.

My current rule is simple: if it takes less than 9 minutes to prepare, I am much more likely to keep doing it.