Category — Exercise

I am often asked this question, or a slight variation of it, and it’s usually asked in a tone that implies some level of judgment. It seems people are always either judging me (as a crazy person who actually enjoys running) or themselves (as a person who doesn’t have the motivation/strength/endurance to do it). So I thought I’d try to articulate why I run, and put an end to the judgments once and for all.

First, though, I should make it clear that I don’t run to keep a supermodel figure (I don’t have one, and probably never will). I don’t do it because I enjoy winning races (I have never won a race, and probably never will). I don’t do it for the screaming fans at my races (Despite my best efforts, I have yet to convince anyone that cheering me on at a race is a fun way to spend an early morning). My lone fan is my wonderful husband who always comes and cheers for me. His support is invaluable and it always makes a race more fun, but still, my running is not for him!

I run for me. I run because I’ve found it is an activity that, beyond being great exercise, really makes me feel good. It makes me feel strong, it makes me feel triumphant, and, especially when I get to run outside, it makes me feel attuned to my body and to the world around me.

I run because it’s fun to see a family of deer crossing the trail up ahead, or to come across a turtle who reminds you that life is not a race. I run because sometimes I like having time to think and plan and daydream without a computer or a pad of paper in front of me. I run because I can, and because I want to appreciate and make the most of that ability.

I don’t judge non-runners, and simply ask non-runners not to judge me or yourselves. Admire my “craziness” if you want, and give running a try if you think you might like it, but what’s most important is just to find that activity that makes you feel strong, triumphant, and grateful for your body’s abilities. It might be aerobics, or yoga, or swimming. It might be tennis, or golf, or beach volleyball. It might be gardening, or chasing children around your living room. Whatever you do that makes you feel a sense of physical accomplishment and gratitude, find it, enjoy it, and do it as often as you can!

What’s your favorite triumphant, “just-for-me” activity? Please share with me by leaving a comment!

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Today I went for a run outside for the first time in a couple of weeks. I set out to run “a few miles” but once I got going, I realized I was going to keep going for a while. It was a nicer day than expected, and my brain needed the alone time.

Various aspects—nearly all aspects—of my life just aren’t going as fast as I want them to, and I have been feeling pretty down about it lately. I’ve always been one to set and work toward and achieve goals as fast as I can, and patience is not a virtue I have ever claimed to possess. I have no trouble telling other people that things happen for a reason, to look on the bright side, and even to pretend that I am doing just that…but often, especially lately, I find I am unable to practice what I preach.

So today on my run, as I often do, I used the time to have a little talk with myself. I thought about what I have been eating lately and how I should improve. I thought about my workouts lately and how they should improve. I thought about my slow progress toward establishing a coaching business and how it should improve. I thought about my lack of attention to my husband and the housework lately and how I should improve. Not surprisingly, none of this made me feel much better.

Then, inspired by a book I just started reading, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, I decided to write a “petition” (prayer) about how I was feeling and what I wanted. Like the author, I have never been very comfortable praying for something specific. I have always felt that was selfish of me, and that God knows best what should happen and when, so for me to ask for something specific would be presumptuous. But I have also been hearing an awful lot lately about the power of intention, and of really identifying what you want and need in life. I’ve also never been very “good” at praying in general. I tend to have a running dialogue in my head most of the time anyway, and I have always felt that God could hear it, so why would He want a recap? I decided to go for it anyway.

I acknowledged my goals and desires right now that just don’t seem to be happening. I know that some are more in my control than others, and I’ve been wavering back and forth between berating myself to just work harder and make things happen, and following the advice I keep getting to just sit back and let things happen in time. I don’t know which approach is best and I am exhausted from trying to figure it out. So I asked for help. I asked for guidance about what I should do to feel better and to be my best self, whatever that may mean. I didn’t ask to lose 10 pounds, or to get 10 clients lined up next month…I just asked for help in knowing what to do. And while I would love to say I instantly felt the weight lift off of my shoulders, or an answer came to me, I can’t say that. I did feel a little better, though, and decided that praying and stating my intentions is something I should do more often.

Once that was done, I knew a mile marker was coming up and I started trying to assess whether I should keep going or turn back. Turning back would make my run eight miles, which is a lot considering I haven’t been out on the trail in a couple of weeks, but a stubborn part of my brain wanted to push on and do ten, just to prove that I could, and to redeem myself after eating out last night. However, I rounded a corner and there, right before the sign for mile 13, I saw this guy:

He was just barely more than halfway across the trail, in my lane. I stopped suddenly, and thought, wow. Talk about a sign! This little guy, a generally slow-moving creature who seemed to be expend quite a bit of effort to take each step, was doing it. He was crossing the trail, reaching his goal. I felt inspired and decided he was my reminder that slow and steady really is an ok way to go. I don’t need to hit all of my goals and milestones in life right now, and if I look a little harder I will probably see I’m making progress that I am not even noticing. The turtle was not sitting still and just waiting for life to come to him, but he was also not rushing it.

I decided to take a cue from him, and after watching to be sure he made it to the side of the trail without a bicyclist coming along and hitting him, I turned around at the mile 13 sign and made my way back toward home. Eight miles felt just right for today.

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I’ve made a decision that is slightly embarrassing, but mostly empowering, and just have to share: I am taking adult swim lessons this summer!

I’m not afraid of the water, and I do know how to swim–sort of. When I was little I took lessons every summer and learned just enough to “pass” and how not to drown, but I never really learned the breathing and proper strokes. I wore glasses (but couldn’t in the pool, of course) and frankly had a hard time seeing the instructors, so I never really got the techniques! I always thought someday I should take classes, especially after I had lasik surgery, but always felt way too self-conscious in a bathing suit to go for it.

Then about a week ago I got a booklet in the mail from our local community center outlining all of the enrichment programs this summer, and it occurred to me that this might be the time to do it! The lessons will be held in the early evening, right down the street, twice a week for 4 weeks in June/July and the cost wasn’t too bad…

There were plenty of reasons that crossed my mind not to do it. First, it’s money I could spend elsewhere…although it’s way less than the cooking classes I have been eying and plenty of other activities I could do. Second, it’s kind of embarrassing to me to be taking swim lessons as an adult. I do know adults who have taken scuba lessons prior to awesome vacations…but not usually beginner swimming. Third, I will have to wear a bathing suit in front of strangers, and move around, too…not just lay flat on my back in a chair like I can usually get away with at the pool!

But then I considered the reasons to do it. Once I actually feel competent at swimming laps, it will be another great exercise I can add to my routine and I’ve heard it’s a great exercise when you are pregnant so that will hopefully come in handy someday…and most importantly, I am stepping outside of my comfort zone and tackling a personal goal I have had for a long time, but never really thought I would make a priority.

So I’ve written the check and hurried to put it in the mailbox before I could chicken out or come up with yet another reason not to do it. Hopefully I’ll get confirmation that I got in (really, how many adults in my area could be trying to get into this class?) and come mid-July, I’ll be a real swimmer!

I’m wondering if anyone else has goals like this that they just kind of bury in the back of their mind, but would really like to take on sometime…if so, go for it! I’ll be cheering you on!

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