Came across one of the better New Zealand videos on Youtube.....
As for my back - I have been cleared and encouraged by the doc to start exercising again - limited to walking and easy stretching exercises for now. Hoping to start some light jogging by next week sometime.
Went for a 2 1/2 mile slow walk w/ my wife last evening - by far the longest distance I have done in weeks, in fact it was only the second walk of over a mile. While walking, she asked me about a return to running - which got me to thinking and realizing that the further I get away from running the bigger the pendulum swings.
On one extreme is a desire to get back into it with increased effort, amping up weekly mileage above what I have ever done before, run longer distances and do bigger events / races.
Yet on the other extreme is a desire to do absolutely nothing except get fat and lazy. It sure is easier to put on 5 pounds than to lose 5 pounds.
Admittedly - while not running it has been easier to do the 2nd option. However, while doing nothing but eating and being - the result is that it sends me down the mental path of mild guilt - which then swings the mental pendulum over to a desire to get out on a trail and run for 6 hours.
On a side note - w/ Fall in full swing and snow likely tonight - I am missing one of the prettier and favorite times of the year to be out running trails
An upcoming "dilemma": I am supposed to get a new pair of shoes next week to do a 3 week "wear test". Not quite sure how I am going to pull that off - wondering if and how a "long run" is going to be viewed if it is only a slow jog down my driveway.
I think what I am likely to do is let another week go by of uselessness, chocolateness and fatness - then when I get the shoes next week - is to (at least try to) start running again. Treating myself like a brand new runner. Mapping out a 4 or 5 week schedule of gradually working back into a running routine. Building back up a running / fitness base - while working off the waist base.
I was born and raised in New Zealand - but have lived in the US for 20 years now. Like this running break - the longer I am away from New Zealand the bigger the pendulum swings are between an intense desire to drop everything and take a 1 way flight back there. To the other extreme of wondering why would I ever want to go back "home"?
Well - to avoid songs like this:
"It sure is easier to put on 5 pounds than to lose 5 pounds.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly - while not running it has been easier to do the 2nd option. However, while doing nothing but eating and being - the result is that it sends me down the mental path of mild guilt - which then swings the mental pendulum over to a desire to get out on a trail and run for 6 hours."
AMEN!
The return is a race itself. Get to Hydro street too fast and you will be fried for the rest of it.
ReplyDeleteConsidering that a month ago, one of the options was "go under the knife", slow jog down my driveway is a really, really attractive scenario ;-) Glad you are coming along Craig!
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