Why do you exercise?
Is it for the joy, the pure pleasure of the experience? I am a runner. I am not
certain I have ever felt the Runners’ High. It eludes me. It might be a myth. I
have, however, felt good after a workout. I have felt fantastic while doing other activities because running helps make me strong enough to enjoy them.
Hence the phrase, “I don’t love running. Running loves me.” I run to make my
life better.
I often find
myself dreading the daily run. (Perhaps I should dub it the Sporadic Run
because that is often more descriptive.) Recently I flopped down on the living
room floor and had a pep talk with myself regarding the reasons I needed to go
for a run on that very day. I had to employ my most coercive techniques before
I reluctantly agreed that I would feel better after the run than if I lazed
away on the sofa for the afternoon. I got off the floor and went for my run and
I felt better the rest of the day.
I had a
conversation with a couple the other day. I guessed they were in their
mid-sixties. Both were in very good physical condition. They mentioned that
they go to the gym several days a week. “It’s the best feeling you’ll ever
have! And it’s the best $20 you’ll spend all month!” Really?
First - I
would like to know the name of that gym that only costs $20 per month! It would
be a lot more expensive for me because there is travel involved.
Second – The
best feeling in the world is doing something I love with my grandchildren, or
maybe eating chocolate! Both of these things are better if I run. I have
greater endurance to spend time with my grandchildren, and … well, chocolate
consumption has less guilt attached if I run.
For me, the
joy usually comes after the run. Sometimes it is immediate as in, “Yay! We’re
done!” Often the joy comes when I am doing something different like waterskiing
or eating chocolate.
Not all
satisfaction or reward in life is immediate. We usually have to wait a time for
the payoffs. Exercise is no different. Be patient. Wait for the joy!
Question: Do you have a training tip you would like to share? Post it in the comments below.
Happy Running!
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