Monday Motivation: I am fit

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. 

 

~Plato

I have no brilliant words of wisdom tonight. No runners to interview. No virtual race to report about. Just the simple realization that: I am fit. 

Yesterday I ran (run-walked) a half marathon. I didn't do it for me, I was supporting a friend on her adventure. There were times I checked my watch (like every mile) and calculated when I could finish if I were running for me (which I wasn't). My point I guess is I did it, with only fitness to get me there. I had run my full marathon October 17th after 3 weeks off for the bursitis in my knee. I then did a 5K mud run on Halloween and a 50K bike ride on November 7th. Oh wait there was my 2 miles on Friday before this half marathon. But nothing in between any of those things. My point? No training plan. I planned to do a "casual" half marathon and I did. In May of this year I ran my first half marathon since 2006 and it was only my 3rd at that. I cried when I finished, I was so proud of myself. I did not cry after finishing my marathon in October (only my second, but my first since 2006). I did not cry after my half on Sunday. Why no tears? Before I had trained to accomplish what seem like really challenging goals. The full and the half I just recently completed, I expected myself to be able to finish and was (shall I say it?) CONFIDENT in myself and my fitness level.

 

I don't know exactly when this happed, but it did. Exercise, methodical or not has saved me. Literally: in the physical sense (I am skinnier now) and mentally (I have much higher self-esteem). Now it is my job to preserve my human being, mind and body. Thank you running, biking, swimming, yoga and anything else I can possibly squeeze into my schedule in whatever inconsistent doses. Some is better than none. Maybe my new year's resolutions will include consistency, who knows.

Thankful Three

1. For my family who supports me staying healthy through exercise.
2. For my physical therapist who is helping me with this knee bursitis junk.
3. For Triple Chocolate Chunk cookies courtesy of all the employees who had to fund raise for their kids.