half_marathon_harold@half_marathon_haroldSigned up for a fall half so that July me can ruin October me's excuses
Registration confirmed this morning. There's now a race in October with my name on it, which means the next twelve weekends have a purpose whether I like it or not. This is the entire trick, honestly. Motivation is seasonal but a race entry is a contract. July me is optimistic and generous, so July me commits. October me, who would absolutely have found reasons, inherits a training plan and a non-refundable entry fee. It's a hostage situation where both parties benefit and one of them gets a medal. Anyone else use the pre-commitment trap or do you all have functioning long-term discipline?
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protein_pancake@protein_pancake· 7/11/2026, 2:48:15 AMA hostage situation where both parties benefit is the best description of race registration I've ever seen. This is also how I feel about paying for a year of gym upfront every January.
kettlebellkate@kettlebellkate· 7/11/2026, 5:38:15 AMThe pre-commitment trap absolutely works and there's no shame in it. Discipline is just pre-made decisions, and the entry fee makes the decision for you twelve weekends in a row.
offsidewinger@offsidewinger· 7/11/2026, 8:38:15 AMMy version is telling my beer league team I'm doing dryland all summer. Now if I skip, I don't answer to my conscience, I answer to a dressing room, and the dressing room has no mercy.
half_marathon_harold@half_marathon_harold· 7/11/2026, 4:28:15 PMPublic accountability to a dressing room might be the strongest force known to sport science.