Running is simple. All you need to run is your health, your legs, some shoes (debatable), and some gumption. It's waking up and getting moving. Today I ran intervals-talk about a progressive manifestation of gumption. I remember sitting on the bed after waking up pondering if getting older really does have an effect on the difficulty of getting moving in the morning. I knew today was an interval day and I was excited about it. I briefly considered doing the workout outside-checked the weather and decided that intervals in 21 degrees F wasn't my bag-off to the gym I went.
I like to ease into my interval workouts-safer for the muscles that way and it allows me to set up my music listening gear. I haven't upgraded to blue tooth headphones yet so I've got to plug in my headphones and select my audio. For intervals I usually choose something that gets an emotional response-today it was classic metal. Metallica is perfect for running intervals.
Running gives me a sense of accomplishment. I'm not the best at my job. I'm not the most effective, not the most efficient, and not the most knowledgeable. But I sure do care a lot, a try hard, and certainly put in more hours than my share (I'm salaried and don't do it for the cash). After hours or days at work feeling less than satisfied with the guy in the mirror it feels good to be able to do something right! I understand that running is simple to do right but I still feel a bit accomplished. Physical exercise does that for me. Yep, that's the endorphins that all the docs talk about I'm sure. Anyway, I'm thankful to have a healthy body that allows me to run five miles without much difficulty.
Running enables me to do other great sports and hobbies like snowboarding, triathlon, hiking with my kids and scouts, and scuba diving. I love doing all of those things and love going to triathlon races. I'm a lower middle of pack guy but love being out there with other like minded folks. I love going to running races also. I aspire to one day participate in European sky racing competitions-those look like soooo much fun! Being in amazing country and traversing by foot through it. One day I'll be able to go do that.
Anyone can run and the benefits are well researched and documented. So just go out there and do it. If you want to race and get competitive there are tons of resources out there for you. Start listening to podcast are connecting via social media. Anyone can do it anywhere, even in big cities, I've done that too. Take care ya'll and hope you keep getting faster and going further.
