Running today brought back some memories, and not just because Kat and I revisited an old route we ran with the team back in the day. Admittedly, I have not enforced running hills since I left the cross country team. Sure, I've encountered a hill or two since then, but any runner can tell you that that does not count.
Today's weather could be considered by any runner near-perfect. The sun poked through the clouds a couple of times, the wind finally died down after causing so much commotion yesterday, and we didn't need to layer for cold temperatures nor pray for a cold-front.
It's a shame I refused to enjoy it.
Instead, my weak mind focused on the tightening in my chest, the pain from not running in the past week; later in the run, I began to feel my lunch (don't run too soon after eating); my back and shoulders grew so tense, my arms and legs weak. I could not wait to finish. Here's an interesting side note: during vigorous exercise, as many of you well-know, stopping sometimes hurts worse than continuing. To stop for a break means to stop in order to hurt so bad that you'd rather keep going. My first "break" today was simply to catch my breath (like I said--I'd taken a week off). The second time was due to a potentially vicious dog (turned out to be a coward with a loud bark). Both times were immediately regretted. Persevere.
The pain I endured today was not evidence of progress. It was not punishment for doing wrong. It was a warning, a reminder that taking too much time off has its consequences. Not only will you have lost touch with a part of yourself, but you'll suffer in the process of finding it again.
Good night, Saturday.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Numb
Contrary to this blog's title, sometimes it's necessary to feel nothing at all (even if it isn't necessary, it still may happen). Just about everyone can relate to losing feeling in their hands or face in extremely cold weather. This is quite similar.
At first, you may feel some discomfort. Then the pain sets in. You may even feel a tingling in your hands and feet. Then, nothing. All feeling is gone; you're there, but if you lost sight, you wouldn't believe it.
I experienced this numbness a couple of days ago. Of course, it was also chilly outside, so not only did I experience two different kinds of pain, but also two different kinds of numb. However, numb is numb. You cannot distinguish between the numbness brought on by the cold air from that of a hard workout. Anyway, I had just finished a nice, semi-intense run with a friend. I decided to add a mile-and-a-half near-sprint to my apartment. My legs grew tired, and my hands became stiff. Soon enough, my entire body was in agony. Until it wasn't anymore. I'm not saying this is necessarily a good thing, but it certainly doesn't have to be a bad thing. When this happens, one should take advantage. Since I had no feeling, I was able to push myself harder, finishing strong instead of giving in to "good sense."
By the way, just like warming up after sitting in below-freezing temperatures at a football game, regaining feeling after a hard, numbing workout can be painful, too. Muscles feel tight and need immediate stretching; headaches are common; and your legs may become like spaghetti suddenly, even though they felt fine on the run.
For every positive, there is a negative. It's up to us to rig the scale that weighs them.
Later
At first, you may feel some discomfort. Then the pain sets in. You may even feel a tingling in your hands and feet. Then, nothing. All feeling is gone; you're there, but if you lost sight, you wouldn't believe it.
I experienced this numbness a couple of days ago. Of course, it was also chilly outside, so not only did I experience two different kinds of pain, but also two different kinds of numb. However, numb is numb. You cannot distinguish between the numbness brought on by the cold air from that of a hard workout. Anyway, I had just finished a nice, semi-intense run with a friend. I decided to add a mile-and-a-half near-sprint to my apartment. My legs grew tired, and my hands became stiff. Soon enough, my entire body was in agony. Until it wasn't anymore. I'm not saying this is necessarily a good thing, but it certainly doesn't have to be a bad thing. When this happens, one should take advantage. Since I had no feeling, I was able to push myself harder, finishing strong instead of giving in to "good sense."
By the way, just like warming up after sitting in below-freezing temperatures at a football game, regaining feeling after a hard, numbing workout can be painful, too. Muscles feel tight and need immediate stretching; headaches are common; and your legs may become like spaghetti suddenly, even though they felt fine on the run.
For every positive, there is a negative. It's up to us to rig the scale that weighs them.
Later
Friday, January 13, 2012
No such thing as "for nothing"
Today's run wasn't satisfying. Not because I didn't run far enough, long enough, fast enough. Not because I was bored or out of shape or dehydrated after drinking absolutely no water all day (whoops). It didn't leave me with a refreshing sense of accomplishment; a better mood after a dull (and then disappointing) day; or a clear head, free of stressful thoughts and irritation.
No; even a good run can't always cure a poor attitude, though it usually does for me. It doesn't always benefit to go for a relaxing run during the warmest part of a cold, winter day, with some of your favorite music blasting in your ears.
Though I'll try to forget about this less-than-encouraging outing, on some level, I believe it served a purpose. I can assume it had some effect on my body, even though I feel no stronger or weaker. It may have even affected my mentality in a way even I can't observe. I might have learned something on this run that will guide me during another, but I've no clue as to what sort of knowledge I may or may not have gained. Perhaps someone saw me on the road and received the inspiration they've been longing for. I could have stepped on a bug that either was in misery and awaiting death or was on a killing spree and needed to be stopped.
The point is this: whether negative or positive, my actions had some effect--on someone, something, the world, the universe, life...Don't worry; I've got too many tattoos to be a hippie. I may never know what was gained or lost because of it, but I take comfort in knowing it wasn't for nothing (that and the idea that a deer may have seen me and thought, "how peculiar").
peace
No; even a good run can't always cure a poor attitude, though it usually does for me. It doesn't always benefit to go for a relaxing run during the warmest part of a cold, winter day, with some of your favorite music blasting in your ears.
Though I'll try to forget about this less-than-encouraging outing, on some level, I believe it served a purpose. I can assume it had some effect on my body, even though I feel no stronger or weaker. It may have even affected my mentality in a way even I can't observe. I might have learned something on this run that will guide me during another, but I've no clue as to what sort of knowledge I may or may not have gained. Perhaps someone saw me on the road and received the inspiration they've been longing for. I could have stepped on a bug that either was in misery and awaiting death or was on a killing spree and needed to be stopped.
The point is this: whether negative or positive, my actions had some effect--on someone, something, the world, the universe, life...Don't worry; I've got too many tattoos to be a hippie. I may never know what was gained or lost because of it, but I take comfort in knowing it wasn't for nothing (that and the idea that a deer may have seen me and thought, "how peculiar").
peace
Monday, January 2, 2012
Cliche?
Newly developed blisters on at least four toes; side stitches stretching about 3 inches on either side of the torso; hips in need of replacement; on-comings of a recurring injury. One run.
Kat Grillo pushed me to my limits tonight. Gotta love her for it. Or is it hate? Needless to say, I hurt. But what is exercise without pain? What is cardio without struggling lungs? What is a workout without sweat?
Without a few up-hills, racing cars across the street, brick roads that make your feet scream, maybe a rabid dog or raccoon to keep you on your toes, running just isn't worth the time. Every step makes you a little bit stronger. And every road has a different story for you to pass on. So keep your eyes open, even if that drop of sweat threatens to obscure your vision. Who knows--maybe it will give you an interesting perspective.
Happy struggles!
Kat Grillo pushed me to my limits tonight. Gotta love her for it. Or is it hate? Needless to say, I hurt. But what is exercise without pain? What is cardio without struggling lungs? What is a workout without sweat?
Without a few up-hills, racing cars across the street, brick roads that make your feet scream, maybe a rabid dog or raccoon to keep you on your toes, running just isn't worth the time. Every step makes you a little bit stronger. And every road has a different story for you to pass on. So keep your eyes open, even if that drop of sweat threatens to obscure your vision. Who knows--maybe it will give you an interesting perspective.
Happy struggles!
Running off the night before
I ran tonight to clear my head. It must have worked because I just stared at a blank page for five minutes before typing anything, and I've already erased line after line, not sure what I want to get out of this sitting. This is what I was left with:
Calories are evil. (I know I'm not fat; just run with me for a minute.) When we run, work out, do anything active, we're burning calories, working off those guilty pleasures. Every bead of sweat represents your momentary weakness from the night before: a piece of cake after a full meal that left you breathing heavy; the last bite of that chicken alfredo you just couldn't say no to; the third or fourth or fifth shot of whiskey you don't even remember taking.
What do we do about that piece of cake? We run it off (or whatever form of exercise you choose). Or we contribute to obesity. (That was a joke. Please don't take offense.)
That's not the end of my thought.
Aren't calories like the evils of the world? Do you see it? Do you like metaphors? If only we could run off those regrets that linger in the backs of our heads. All the lies ever told, all the judgments ever passed, all the broken promises and disappointments, poor timings and bad thoughts, torn friendships, ugly looks, unnecessary arguments, bottled-up thoughts.
However, in most cases, it's to my understanding that these "calories" can only be removed by two or more people, not one. An evil is only removed when the evil-doer repents and the evil-receiver forgives. Teamwork.
Now let's turn it around. What if real calories could only be removed that way? I might actually be fat, considering how often I work out or run on my own.
Food for thought.
Calories are evil. (I know I'm not fat; just run with me for a minute.) When we run, work out, do anything active, we're burning calories, working off those guilty pleasures. Every bead of sweat represents your momentary weakness from the night before: a piece of cake after a full meal that left you breathing heavy; the last bite of that chicken alfredo you just couldn't say no to; the third or fourth or fifth shot of whiskey you don't even remember taking.
What do we do about that piece of cake? We run it off (or whatever form of exercise you choose). Or we contribute to obesity. (That was a joke. Please don't take offense.)
That's not the end of my thought.
Aren't calories like the evils of the world? Do you see it? Do you like metaphors? If only we could run off those regrets that linger in the backs of our heads. All the lies ever told, all the judgments ever passed, all the broken promises and disappointments, poor timings and bad thoughts, torn friendships, ugly looks, unnecessary arguments, bottled-up thoughts.
However, in most cases, it's to my understanding that these "calories" can only be removed by two or more people, not one. An evil is only removed when the evil-doer repents and the evil-receiver forgives. Teamwork.
Now let's turn it around. What if real calories could only be removed that way? I might actually be fat, considering how often I work out or run on my own.
Food for thought.
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