Running, It’s About Progress
October 6, 2008 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
When I was in college a class call Fitness for Life was required. To pass the class you had to run a mile. Now I was a smart and precocious freshman and I knew they couldn’t MAKE me run. Isn’t that unconstitutional or something? They could make me participate, but they couldn’t make me run.
I’ll walk the mile as fast as I can, but you can’t make me run, I told the instructor stubbornly.
I look back on that moment as evidence of how short-term thinking infects youth with stupidity.
Was it in my long term best interest to learn how to use my body to jog and keep it active and healthy?
Well, duh. They were trying to teach me how to keep a fit body for life, that’s why they required us to take the class.
Had I done it then, I wouldn’t be struggling the way I am now at 35. I wouldn’t be struggling to set a good example and teach my kids how to do it while I learn it myself.
Last Saturday I was the only one to show up for Kickboxing Class. I told the teacher he could go home and didn’t have to teach me – no big deal.
Want to go running? He asked.
Hell no. Why would I run for fun? I don’t run. I have a policy.
That’s been my stock answer since that Fitness for Life class. But, now I have the maturity to understand – that it’s the WRONG damn answer. My anti-exercise and anti-effort policy isn’t in my long-term best interests. Learning to run IS.
Yeah, okay. I’ll try it, is what I said this time.
Since my 35th birthday I’ve become much more willing to admit that I didn’t know everything about what was best for me when I was young.
In fact, I was pretty stupid about a lot of things – especially the way I treated my body.
What, did you think these things last forever? I ask my young self incredulously.
Yeah, I guess I did, my young self tells my 35-year-old me.
Two days later I went out to the track and decided to make progress. Maybe eventually I’ll run a 5K. I ran until I hyperventilated – maybe .25 a mile - then walked quickly until I calmed down. Ran another .25 a mile – then tried to find my yoga breath. I did this for 3 miles, walking quickly and not running at all on the last one.
Progress is the only thing I’m requiring of myself. I don’t have to love it – I just have to do it.
This is a Blogtoberfest post. I’m giving away a very cool little invention that I want to wear jogging. It’s functional and fashionable.
Leave a comment guessing what it could be on this post to enter to win. A random winner will be awarded this fantastic surprise one week from today.
I’m giving something away every day for two weeks straight, subscribe to Blog Fabulous (RSS button at top, share at bottom) so you don’t miss any Christmas hoarding opportunities (see our cool list of prizes here.
~~~~~
You also have lots of chances to win great Blogtoberfest prizes! Today, October 6, your chances (and prizes) are hiding at the following blogs: A Child Chosen; Baking Delights; Blog Fabulous; Chocolate Bytes; Declutter It; Inside Motherhood; Keeping the Castle; Mom Gadget; Noodles and Rice; Simply Home Remedies; Tangled Thread; Weary Parent. Visit them all and leave a comment — you may win even more!
Image Source: Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me
Hmmmmm, I’m going to guess it’s a new fangled pedometer, that measures your heart rate.
Like you I’m one of those that didn’t realize the benefits until I got in my 30’s and 2 kids later. Took a little bit of a health scare to make me open my eyes, but once you do you never go back and keep on moving forward.
Is it a pedometer?
Thank you for this opportunity!
Pedometer, right?
gkstratos@yahoo.com
I sooo hope it’s a pedometer ‘cuz I really need one for walking for my osteoporosis
Pedometer, right?
I love to walk. It makes me feel sooo great and it gets me out of the house away from my kids for a bit too!
I enjoy taking long brisk walks with our Black Lab Lucy! I usually do this 1-2 times a day sometimes with the kids, sometimes without, depending on if they are in school or not. It is so refreshing and reviving! I also love surprises – is this where we enter for a surprise prize! It is like opening a present!
I think that it is either a pedometer of a water bottle. They would both be useful.
Great story!! I’ll guess a new pedometer!
Very, very inspiring story! I too am trying to exercise regularly and it takes discipline. But I’m keeping at it!
I’d have to say a Pedometer!
a pedometer bracelet?
Good for you! I wish you the best of luck! Keep with it.
enter me
My guess is some sort of Ipod holder? Thanks for the giveaway!
braaisjo at gmail dot com
Wow were we in ths same class? I had to do the same!
I try to exercise 3 times a week
I am going to guess that it is a very cool pedometer.
I love trying new classes!
I love surprises.
I hope it is a sports bra.
A pedometer?
I’m guessing an ipod. Thanks for the giveaway!
An ipod holder?
Cool! WAY TO GO!
I had the same experience in college!
This Blogtoberfest is Great Fun! I would love a secret surprise!!! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
I started the Couch to 5K program this spring. I still struggle with it but at least I’m trying. I think the jogging skirts that they have out are really cool, much more fashionable than spandex shorts that show every dimple and fat roll!!
I’m going to guess that it’s an iPod. If you are running and you aren’t wearing one, you should be. LOL I don’t know how I would make it through a run without having mine!
My guess is one of those shirts that keeps you dry….I know that’s vague, but I can’t remember the name.
good for you. I’m guessing some kind of heart monitor.
a cool hat
I know I came here a few days ago and I thought I entered, but I don’t see my name anywhere. Maybe I got so caught up in looking at all the prizes and trying to guess which one?!?! LOL!
Anyway…thanks for encouraging me to get busy with my own fitness program.
Count me in please
A pedometer?
a jogging wallet.
Hmm.. could it be a pedometer with an mp3 player?
Is it athletic shoes?
a pair of awesome earrings???
What about a comfy pair of socks?
I’m going to guess the wrist wallet, so practical.
I’m trying to get in shape.
I’m going with pedometer.
This contest is over – Brandy Stokes is our winner. Find out what she won here: http://www.blogfabulous.com/banjee-wrist-wallet-blogtoberfest-winner/
Don’t worry there are more chances to win – hop around the b5media lifestyle’s channel and subscribe to Blog Fabulous for many more chances to win great prizes.
need to win this
I need to exercise more but I never have the time,its great that you are .
“I don’t have to love it; I just have to do it.”
Boy, did I need THAT reminder!! Thanks for a thought-provoking blog.
I run. As a matter of fact, I ran/walked a half-marathon for the first time at age 37. Go, me!