This guy is in his 50's or so, friendly, talkative, easy going, and always has a story to tell. And he's pretty thin, not even the gut that many men that age tend to get. Last week I had mentioned to him that I was running a race, so today he asked me how it went. I told him, and we eventually wandered into one of his many stories. Long story short, a friend of his used to run 7 miles a day. One time they were on a trip together and the friend made a comment about all the early morning runners that were out, and how not one of them was smiling. The point of his story being - running doesn't make you smile.
Really, I think he was half joking about this. He's light hearted like that. And we kept the conversation along that vein - I mentioned the benefits I have experienced as a result of running, and we changed the subject. Still, it got me thinking.
Do people really think that something is only worth doing if it provides instant happiness?
I believe that life exists to be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. However, without challenges, pain, and discomfort, does happiness truly exist? Would you know what it feels like to be happy without having first been unhappy? Life's challenges exist to be conquered, to help us become better people. Without them we'd be bored. Fitness is one of those challenges, one that many struggle with and few master. For those who aren't accustomed to it, running is very difficult. Honestly, running hurts. It sucks sometimes. But if you allow your mind to relax, running becomes a great release of all the mental overloading we're subjected to every day. It can be a time to reflect on your thoughts, or simply think of nothing at all. You realize that it feels great just to get outside and move. To see the trees and the sky, feel the wind and smell the air. You are in control and command your own pace. Force your body to maintain that pace, whatever it may be. Run through the pain. Enjoy how great you feel after a run. It's a crazy mixture of emotions - tired yet somehow energetic, sweaty, adrenaline, loosened up, happier, etc. Months later, marvel at the results of your hard work. Being able to run faster and longer will make you feel like you've accomplished something. Your whole body will look better. You'll be able to run in any situation that requires it. Being fit just feels so much better. Yes, it hurts, it sucks, I don't always have the motivation, but I make myself do it. The payoff is absolutely worth the trouble. I want to be healthy and in shape so I can get more out of life, and not be another American statistic of obesity and disease. I want to be a person who can overcome any fitness challenge, do things that few people can say they did, etc. I like to challenge myself and reap the benefits of my results. At the end of the day, that IS what makes me smile.
Anyway, end of rant.
Burpees await me early in the morning. And I will most likely be sore from today's workout, which was good except I had a bit of a hypoglycemic episode today. Really it was me thinking I could function without the Gatorade water. A bit of history - I am a diagnosed hypoglycemic and the dietitian told me to have Gatorade during any workout lasting 30 minutes or more. I can run without the gatorade, but there's just something about strength training. I think I have an aversion to it because it makes me feel SO weak and shaky and in need of calories, yet it doesn't burn alot of calories at all! Not up front, anyways. Yet it is necessary to be fit - my muscles need to be strong, flexible, and toned. So tonight I made a mixture of water, honey, lemon, and a tiny bit of salt as my hypoglycemic drink. I need to get away from the Gatorade powder and its "brominated vegetable oil" poison.
Also, I may have perfected my new breakfast (a smoothie)
- 2 cups frozen spinach
-1/3 cup frozen mixed berries
-1/2 scoop Muscle Milk Lite protein powder (vanilla)
-1/2 a banana
-x-Water as needed
140 calories, helps me get fruits and greens without being too ridiculous on the sugar scale, and I can have it after a workout or on a regular day. I always feel really good after having one of these.
And as a final note, I got my "free" Spartan Race shirt today! They were giving them away on their website (I just paid $5 for the shipping) Not a bad deal.
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43 days until the Georgia sprint! I'm getting really excited!
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