First Run As a Trainee

I know my post ended ubruptly yesterday so I could go for a run but that was not to be. Instead I decided to get more work done and meet a friend for dinner. We had planned the dinner so it wasn't a surprise, I just didn't plan my day well enough to sneak the run in.

We ate Greek which can be relatively good for you. Dessert, on the other hand, is not. Why do I run? Is it for the kids? Is it to increase cardiovascular fitness? Is it to raise money for a worthy cause? Is it to test the limitations or not of my body?

I train so that I can call dessert "training food". Let's be honest.

That's half true. I do train so that I can add points to my unsanctioned Weight Watchers tracking system I seem to work well with. That allows me to eat dessert and other assorted goodies including potato chips, wine (more than the recommended daily glass of red wine), extra helpings, etc.

I also train because I want to test my limitations. At present, I haven't set any limitations so the sky's the limit. I prefer no ceiling at all so that I can just keep right on going and going beyond my wildest expectations.

I train so that I benefit a worthy cause (and the kids). The TNT program is top notch and does benefit many people including several friends of mine. I am thankful for that.

I do train to increase cardiovascular fitness. I like that I am extending my life. I like that I don't get winded walking down the street or up the stairs. I like that I am healthy.

So this is my roundabout explanation for not running yesterday. Instead, I ran today.

Today was an amazing day in Western New York. Warm, sunny, beautiful. I ran for 30 minutes and then walked for 30 and felt outstanding! I could probably have kept going but I had to do some work before a late lunch engagement (it always comes back to the food). I didn't feel as guilty about not running yesterday. Today was a good day.

I also run so that I may get ideas. I have solved many problems working out - running, biking, hiking, kayaking, etc. If I have writer's block or am stuck on ideas/problems, I work out. The solution presents itself nicely.

This also works with the bathroom. Don't even ask me to explain that because I can't. But if I have a problem, a nice visit to the bathroom with a magazine seems to bring a solution to the fold. But that has nothing to do with training. Just a distgusting aside.

So I ran. And I thought about the race. I probably ran about 2.5 miles and walked another 2. It felt good. And I may do it again tomorrow. And I may follow the run with a wonderful yoga session. Because tomorrow a friend is visiting and I plan to "train" hard!