Pushing through

Ahhh the weather was absolutely delightful today!  I threw on my exercise clothes....capri's even....a teeshirt and a sweatshirt.   I decided to do something a bit differently.  I usually run on the battlefield. It is actually a great place to run but admittedly it gets a bit repetitive.  So today,  my plan for the day was to go up to my parents for the day and spend the day with not only my parents but with my brother and his family (who live across the street).  I decided to do something differently.  I drove up to my parents house and parked my car.  I said hello to everyone and out I went.  I headed out for a run.    It is amazing how running through a different area changes everything.

I was feeling it for sure.  I had to continually ask myself "are you dying". I kept saying NO,so I kept going onward.  About 1.5 miles into my run I pulled the sweatshirt off, tied it around my waist and ran on.  3.5 miles later and I was done.


There are stages of running.  Stages of any exercise actually.......

Vacillation
 If I don't just jump right on it and do it IMMEDIATELY upon my first thought, first awakening, first whatever then I sit back and ponder it, dread it and vacillate between trying to talk myself into getting up and actually doing it versus sitting back and saying 'to heck with running today'.  

Death and Despair
While I am exercising it is a thing of me wanting to stop. My mind is telling me that I'm dying.  I hurt.  I ache.  I feel like I can't breathe sometimes.  My body is in distress....or so my mind thinks.  I have to constantly ask myself "Are you really dying?"    The answer is no.  I"m not dying.  I'm simply wishing it were over. I'm simply sore, but sore is NOT dying.  I just have to get past that mental hurdle of feeling as if I'm dying.

Euphoria
When I'm done....holy heck........the endorphin's are totally kicking.  I'm feeling on top of the world.  I get massive work accomplished.  I can't hep but feel good.  It is awesome!   A runners high! A zumba high!   A bike riders high!!!

So what I have to remind myself every day....the post exercise euphoria is SOOOOOO worth everything.  It's worth it all.  And oh yeah, the side benefit of getting fit and losing weight....well that's just icing on the cake!