The title quote is from Haruki Murakami's "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" which has inspired me to get back on the exercise bandwagon. Funny enough, this same author inspired me to start my creative writing blog as well.
I was pretty good earlier this year, running 3-5 times a week. Then I went to Asia and have had a hard time getting back into the groove since I got back. It's been several months!
In that time, some of the weight I lost has come back, and now I'm just out of excuses. Can't complain of jet lag anymore; the days are longer (the amount of sunlight anyway, woo hoo!), and it's warmer out. Heck I live in CA, it's hard to complain about weather here.
Though... I do, sometimes...
It's what happens when you live in a place where it's pretty awesome about 94% of the year. I know, wah wah...
It's not even like I'm only talking about the weather... I live about a mile and a half away from the beach and I have some spectacular panoramic views of mountains and ocean.
Not surprisingly, the boardwalk is a regular running path and I take advantage as often as I can get my lazy butt up and out of the house.
I have come to really understand what William James meant when he said, "Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."
Last year, I decided I wanted to start jogging again. I used to jog in San Diego a decent amount. It was moderately enjoyable, but it was when I felt strong, felt healthy and was able to keep my weight manageable.
Though it had been a while, I remember deciding, "I'm going to run 2 miles without stopping, I don't care how long it takes!" I was on the SBCC track, and remember just pushing myself until I got to my goal. Eight laps without stopping!
I had no more excuses. I found that I could will myself to do what I wanted to do even when my body wanted to wimp out and walk. My time was slow... like a fast walker could beat me slow, but I kept going.
I've never really been athletic, so my competition has always been me, myself, and I. I've actually never told anyone this, but when I was in grade school, I used to get anxiety in gym class, and felt so sick to my stomach that I had to go to the nurse. I loathed the idea of having to run and compete against other classmates. I was afraid of being the slowest or that I had horrible form and while I liked cheering for people from the sidelines, I found myself ill "just in time" to avoid the starting line.
Now, a few(ish) decades later, I'd like to say I couldn't care less. While for the most part, it's true, now a days, I tell myself, I just want to do whatever it is that brings me happiness and if I suck, then hopefully some decent entertainment. (Just ask my softball team!)
I recently started doing stadiums again at Santa Barbara City College. Each lane has 84 stairs that get increasingly taller as you go higher. I only did one set, 5 lanes up and 5 down. When I've tackled this in the past, I had been running 3+ miles and I barely was able to break two before I started this time.
My legs... my poor legs. Did I stretch? Yes. Did I cool down. You betcha, but holy cow, did I ache. For 2 days... pathetic! But, a few days later I did it again. And a few days after that? Well, I did 2 sets.
Sometimes, I wish I were one of those adrenaline junkies, and get a massive high from exercising.
But I will settle for some willpower and accept that while "pain in inevitable. Suffering is optional" and hopefully by the end of summer, I'll be in better shape than I was last year.
 |
| Brand new running shoes! |
In that time, some of the weight I lost has come back, and now I'm just out of excuses. Can't complain of jet lag anymore; the days are longer (the amount of sunlight anyway, woo hoo!), and it's warmer out. Heck I live in CA, it's hard to complain about weather here.
Though... I do, sometimes...
It's what happens when you live in a place where it's pretty awesome about 94% of the year. I know, wah wah...
 |
| East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA |
Not surprisingly, the boardwalk is a regular running path and I take advantage as often as I can get my lazy butt up and out of the house.
I have come to really understand what William James meant when he said, "Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."
Last year, I decided I wanted to start jogging again. I used to jog in San Diego a decent amount. It was moderately enjoyable, but it was when I felt strong, felt healthy and was able to keep my weight manageable.
 |
| Top of Stadium steps |
I had no more excuses. I found that I could will myself to do what I wanted to do even when my body wanted to wimp out and walk. My time was slow... like a fast walker could beat me slow, but I kept going.
 |
| SBCC Stadiums |
Now, a few(ish) decades later, I'd like to say I couldn't care less. While for the most part, it's true, now a days, I tell myself, I just want to do whatever it is that brings me happiness and if I suck, then hopefully some decent entertainment. (Just ask my softball team!)
I recently started doing stadiums again at Santa Barbara City College. Each lane has 84 stairs that get increasingly taller as you go higher. I only did one set, 5 lanes up and 5 down. When I've tackled this in the past, I had been running 3+ miles and I barely was able to break two before I started this time.
My legs... my poor legs. Did I stretch? Yes. Did I cool down. You betcha, but holy cow, did I ache. For 2 days... pathetic! But, a few days later I did it again. And a few days after that? Well, I did 2 sets.
Sometimes, I wish I were one of those adrenaline junkies, and get a massive high from exercising.
But I will settle for some willpower and accept that while "pain in inevitable. Suffering is optional" and hopefully by the end of summer, I'll be in better shape than I was last year.
After getting used to weather that rarely got over 75F or below 65F, the humidity and the heat were just too much. Over 100F, as my MBA Council President, 
