365 Days Ago...
A year ago today I strapped on some wrist weights and started walking down Lake Shore Drive. My immediate goal was to get off the couch and begin to exercise. I walked 2.52 miles that day. I power walked my way down the street, and felt pretty good when I got home.
On August 27 I ran two blocks - not in a row. I almost died. I never felt so exhausted. Obviously I didn't give up on the running. I have since run races, and as we all know am gearing up for the 2006 Gay Games.
In the last year I have really learned how far I can push myself physically. Those two blocks have been extended to 5 miles! I joined a gym in January, and supplement my running with cross training. I have read more about nutrition, and how to use food as fuel.
I am still learning about running, nutrition and my body. I am still learning what I can and can't do physically. The good news is I find I can do more physically every day. Not bad for the fat kid with clubbed feet.
I have met some pretty cool people because of my running. On The Motley Fool, I have found an amazing group of people who post on the Running Fools board. I have learned so much about running, and received all kinds of encouragment. I've met supportive people at my gym. Special thanks to my trainer Josh. He is pushing me to where I need to be.
My friends, family and loved ones have been very supportive of my running, and I am so thankful for that.
I've been asked what I like most about running. That's easy - I like the fact I can block out the world while I run. While I run, I focus only on the run, and I can put troubles, work, or life just out of my mind. It's like meditation. I just exist, and my goal is to get there and get home.
So how far have I traveled in the last year? I have gone 685.94 miles since I started. So when I put on the shoes today for my next run, I will look forward to the next year, and the next 685+ miles.
If you are being active - congrats! Good for you! Run, bike, walk, whatever, with all the fun you can have. For those who don't do anything - get up and get moving. Even if you walk down the street like I did, it's something. And, it will improve your health.
:-)Charlie
posted by Javarunner1962 @ 6:19 AM
5 Comments:
You're a running magazine profile waiting to happen. :) Today, I'm running 2.5 miles (from my office back to my house). Blessedly, it's virtually all downhill ;)
Tomorrow, I'll either be running in the gym or at a local cemetery, depending on heat and air quality. Again, about 2.5 miles.
If it's the cemetery, lots of hills.
If it's the gym, I'll try the hill program on the treadmill, just like my hero Charlie.
For me, the best part of running is how virtuous I feel when I'm done! :)
Where would I like to be 365 days from now?
I'd like to be running 3 days a week regularly instead of so irregularly.
And I'd be running a 10-min mile. Since I currently run a 13-min miles, that would be an accomplishment of note.
365 days from now I will have competed in the Gay Games, and will have run a 5 and 10 K race! I too would like to get to the 10 minute mile on a consistant basis.
As for the weight, I am looking to go under 200 lbs. No goal weight though, as I find that defeating for me.
:-)Charlie
Wow. I go away from the computer for a couple of days, and you go and have an anniversary. Belatedly - Happy Fitness Anniversary, Charlie.
Your comments about the meditative qualities of running are very interesting. Now that I'm cycling nearly every day, I notice that I am very focused while I am cycling (actually meditating while cycling could be hazardous to my health). Now I've become interested in yoga, partly because I need to work on flexibility, but also because it's another chance to focus, and (one hopes) to quiet the mind for a while.
One thing just leads to another, doesn't it?
See what exercising can do for you?
:-)Charlie
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