I believe my most important workouts are the ones I don’t want to do. Take this morning’s session for example. I stayed up way too late last night and I awoke to a to-do list a mile long. My marathon training schedule called for a four-mile run. There was a conversation going on inside my head. I tried to justify sleeping in, but I couldn’t do it. There may be times I can’t adhere to my schedule due to the cold or flu, so I’d better bank my training sessions now. I’m not planning to get sick, but one never knows.
Once I arrived at the green way I decided to take in the fall color, not yet at its peak (at least I hope not) but still pretty. I saw about six deer along the path. A few of them ran off as I neared. One was engrossed in chewing on breakfast and couldn’t be bothered with being scared…a deer after my own heart.
As I neared a tunnel about halfway through my run I spotted a man on his Pee-wee Herman-style bike trusty steed. It was my friend Roland. He was followed closely behind by his wife/my friend, Sarah, on foot. I gave Sarah a “you go, girl.” She gave me a look that could only be interpreted as “I wish this was over.”
Later I emailed Sarah to let her know it was good to see her and copped to my attitude this morning. I asked her what she was training for and how far she ran today. When I saw her she was on her final mile of an eight-mile run. She and her daughter are training for Memphis’ Saint Jude Half Marathon in December and will fund raise for that marvelous hospital.
” I kept thinking if those children and parents can endure the chemo, radiation, etc. I can run eight miles for these precious ones, hence my motivation to suck it up and keep running!” How’s that for a little perspective?
Since my workout I’ve had a wonderfully-productive day. Most of the items on my to-do list are now crossed off. The few that remain can easily be handled tonight or tomorrow. I credit the endorphins, but that’s not all. By working out when I really, REALLY didn’t want to, I was telling myself I am a disciplined person. And disciplined people get the job done.
Tomorrow’s schedule calls for a three-miler (this is a recovery week). I hope I’ll want to run but if not…
I’ll do it anyway.
I am 55 and in a similar position. Fortunately I worked as a financial advisor in the past and so managing my funds is not a huge challenge. This is where you need to be careful, as other replies have said already. Just invest conservatively if po
I’m not into any kind of marathon but I agree with you. Don’t want to work out? Do it anyway! I’m going to get up tomorrow and take a walk while there’s still a smidge of color left. I did the gym today. I try and do something every day. Most days I do a few workouts actually. I do yoga and light exercise before bed every night. It is important to keep those joints oiled with activity.
I’m glad you mentioned yoga. I tend to ignore my stretching needs and I’m paying the price for it. I’m taking a “personal foundations” class and one of our assignments is to make a list of 10 daily habits we will begin doing daily. Stretching is on my list.
The most important reason is: when you do not walk, eventually you will not be able to walk. The aging body trends toward sedentary activities and the physical body needs to keep moving to keep moving.
Yes! So true.