The Life Ledger

Fitness is a way of life.

My weight did some odd things, bouncing up and down after my vacation. Seems to have balanced out though, and now that I’m running again I expect I might start shedding again.

Ah yes, running. It’s an odd feeling, running again - I am simultaneously filled with the exhileration of challenge and an overwhelming disappointment. To understand why, you’ve gotta know something about me - I used to run cross country and play soccer and baseball. In those days I enjoyed running, and would run between 6 - 10 miles a day. I wasn’t competitive at long-distance running - I’m built for sprinting, but we didn’t have a track team in high school - but I sure did enjoy it. Running for me was like taking a Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside.

Today, I set my sights on 3.9 miles. I knew I wouldn’t huff my out-of-shape body through the entire distance, but I figured I could make at least a mile before I slowed to a walk. I made it 3/4 of a mile. My high-school self whizzed right by me as my body down-shifted and applied the air-brakes.

I feel exhileration - I’m signed up for a 5k race in the first of June, so I began mapping out in my mind as I walked how to meet the challenge of finishing a 5k race in 5 weeks. I also feel overwhelmingly disappointed - I can’t help but think about how my performance might be today had I never let myself go. Trick is, focus on the challenge. I know once I make it past this beginning hump, I will once again enjoy running.

Just like losing weight, I need to focus on the successes - like the fact I was able to almost make a mile at all - and not set myself up for failures by setting unrealistic goals. So going forward, my goal is to run at least 4 times a week, whatever the distance, and to push myself a little bit further each time - even if it’s only a couple of feet.

I’ll make that 5k yet.

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