Defying Quitters Day

This year “Quitters Day” lands on January 10th.  What is Quitter’s Day you ask?  Quitter’s Day is the second Friday of the new year and the day when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions. It’s easy to see why. The shine of fresh goals can quickly dull under the weight of real life—work, fatigue, health challenges, or, in our case, some downright nasty weather. Not us.  Not this year. 

WE’RE.

NOT.

QUITTING.

(Cue the Rocky Theme Song.)

It hasn’t been pretty. We’ve slogged through cold drizzle, dodged puddles, and wrestled with the kind of wind that would feel more suited for a walk down the Navy Pier in Chicago. There are no picture-perfect moments here just the reality of lacing up our shoes and putting in the miles.

Momentum Over Perfection

Some days, the hardest part is showing up. Lately when the 5 a.m. alarm goes off, the thought of staying in a warm bed feels infinitely more appealing than stepping out into the freezing January air. But here’s what we’ve learned:  just going through the motions keeps the momentum alive.  Momentum doesn’t demand perfection. It doesn’t care if your pace is slower than usual or if your run is shorter than planned. Momentum thrives on consistency, and consistency grows from the simple act of not quitting.

Adjusting to Fit Life’s Demands

Life is messy, and finding time for your goals isn’t always straightforward. For us, adjusting has been key. Jennifer and Andy head outside for early morning runs, braving the January chill. But Julie, with her work schedule, has found her own rhythm. She hits the treadmill as part of her morning routine sometimes wearing a weighted vest to up the challenge. We then will meet up on the weekend for a change of scenery or longer run. The method doesn’t matter; what counts is that we’re all showing up in the ways that work best for us.

This journey is personal, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. By adapting our routines to fit our lives, we’ve kept the momentum alive and proven that flexibility is just as important as consistency.

Why We Keep Going

For us, running isn’t about setting records or impressing anyone. It’s about sticking to the promise we made to ourselves. Every time we choose to run, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable, we’re proving that our goals matter.

And something amazing happens when you keep showing up: those difficult, uninspired runs start to string together. Suddenly, you realize you’ve built a habit. You’ve created a foundation that can carry you through the inevitable highs and lows.

A Reminder for All the “Quitters”

If you’ve already fallen off the wagon with your resolutions, don’t give up. Quitters Day doesn’t have to define you. Start again tomorrow. Take a small step—whatever your goal may be. Lace up your proverbial shoes, whether it’s for a walk around the block, a single healthy choice, or tackling a lingering task. Momentum loves a restart.

We’re not perfect runners. But we are persistent runners. And that’s enough to carry us forward, no matter the weather.

So, here’s to kicking Quitters Day's ass and embracing the messy, unglamorous process of sticking with it. Because sometimes, going through the motions is all it takes to keep the end goal attainable.

Goal Tracker...

As we said, our goal is to run enough miles in 2025 to wear out our new shoes (350). Here is our progress so far...

Sure seems pretty daunting to have only accomplished 3% of our goal but keeping the momentum going makes the long term goal attainable. Gradatim Ferociter!