We’ve been doing a bit of running recently at igloo towers in preparation for Run for the Kids .

Thursday lunch time, out round the Tan and back. About 7kms in total.  I trail at the back of the group the whole way and look like a wheezing tomato with its stomach kicked in when we return. While I have a fair bit of enthusiasm for most tasks, the term “fun run” has always struck me as a bit of an oxymoron. So I’ve found myself asking “what’s my motivation?”.

The Cambridge dictionary gives two definitions of motivation; 1. noun (REASON) the need or reason for doing something , 2. noun (ENTHUSIASM) enthusiasm for doing something.

So what are my reasons? Where has the enthusiasm sprung  from?

I’ve never been a particularly sporty person, middle age spread is , well, spreading, and I wear glasses, so any notion of being a fitness fan are kind of out. And while I like the idea of weight loss that running may bring I love the idea of chocolate cake and the sofa even more.

Alfred Hitchcock once said, “When an actor comes to me and wants to discuss his character, I say, ‘It’s in the script.’ If he says, ‘But what’s my motivation?, ‘ I say, ‘Your salary.’  Nope, my reason does not lie here, this is a charity event, I am supposed to be giving money and I am the original selfish tight arse.

I am a relatively new member of the igloo team so the opportunity to GET INVOLVED (a mantra I am trying to live my life by) in some team activities was always going to appeal. What better way to fast track some team bonding than throwing myself in there?

Reason identified – bonding with my new colleagues.

As for enthusiasm, could it be that I find training fun? Hmm, nope, see oxymoron above. Is it a competitive spirit? The desire to win? With 30,000 competitors and the elite runner’s clocking times of 47:45 minutes for 14.1 km I am not deluded enough to entertain thoughts of winning.

A sense of achievement? Now we’re getting there. Herzberg ‘s Motivation-Hygeine Theory cites achievement as providing the highest frequency of satisfaction in a workplace. I can relate to that, and take it outside of work too. The first time I took part in a fun run, I was BUZZING from the sense of achievement for weeks. I had gone from wheezing at the end of the block to running a 10km race in 5 weeks and received my first ever sporting medal aged 27.  You could even say I became evangelical  about running (or my shuffling rendition thereof). I have never run 14kms  but can already feel the sense of pride swelling in my chest (or is that a coronary?) as my liquefied legs stumble over the finish line.

I highly recommend it.  I want you to become as evangelical about running as me. And if you are hesitating about signing up, ask yourself “what’s in it for me?”. A new challenge? Recognition? Weight Loss? Bragging rights? Whatever you come up with, I guarantee you a sense of achievement.

So get involved! You may find that fun run is in fact tautology.