I’ve always had a love / hate relationship with exercise. I imagine I am not the only one. I feel guilty for being out of shape, but I don’t really like working out. I don’t have the sheer discipline just to get up and work out for the benefit of it. I need a goal, a motivation. While being out of shape doesn’t really show up on me because of my high metabolism, I know the last few years, I have lapsed into the worst shape of my life.
Something had to change.
Several years ago, I was laying in the bed on a Saturday afternoon eating Oreos watching the Ironman Triathlon World Championship telecast. Ironman is a 140.6-mile triathlon that consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. That year, the telecast featured a story about Dick and Ricky Hoyt. Ricky Hoyt has Cerebral Palsey and there was a local 5K race to raise money for CP and Ricky asked his Dad, Dick, if they could do it. Dick said what any dad would say, “Sure.” So, they trained together with Dick pushing Ricky in a chair that looks a lot like a jogging stroller and they completed the race. Dick said he could see the life and energy the race brought Ricky and it was no surprise Ricky asked to do more. Over time, that developed into their attempting to complete Ironman Triathlon. As I laid in bed devouring an entire bag of Oreos, I watched the hour and half telecast pulling for this father son team. Dick swam 2.4 miles pulling Ricky in an inflatable boat tethered to a body harness. He rode 112 miles with Ricky sitting on the front of a specially designed bicycle. He ran pushing Ricky in that running chair. Sometime in the dark on the island of Kona that October, Dick and Ricky Hoyt crossed the finished line under the allotted cut off time of 17 hours. I am not ashamed to say I cried as I watched the joy on Dick and Ricky’s faces as they crossed the finish line and Rick Reilly declared his famous line over them “Dick and Ricky Hoyt, you an Ironman.” It was quite the moment.
I wiped the crumbs from the comforter, sucked up my tears and snot, and sheepishly walked the empty Oreos bag to the trash and made up my mind I was gifted with way more physical health and ability than either of them and I needed to stop wasting it. I needed to get in shape. Secretly, I decided I was going to do Ironman. Over time, I did get into better shape and even did triathlons. (I guess I will tell that story another time but 6 years later I did complete Ironman Florida, albeit barely.)
As I worked out, I found myself using the Hoyt’s as motivation. On days I hurt, I thought of what they must have endured to accomplish such a task. On days I was tempted to feel sorry for myself, I thought of how lucky I am to have the health I do. I worked out in the rain, snow, heat, and wind. It was some of the best days of my life. I spent hours pounding out miles on the roads. I watched the sun come up running many days. I swam hundreds of thousands of laps. I rode thousands of miles on my bike. I reveled in the ability to finish races, but I really enjoyed the work it took to enjoy the success of the finish line. I prayed so many hours while I worked out. It was good for me, body, soul and spirit.
But, life happens. I had a few injuries and eventually what was a priority, I soon no longer had time to do. Over time, I tried many times to get back to regular exercise but it never quite stuck. I was disheartened by how much fitness I had lost and how little distance I could accomplish and how slow I was.
Two months ago, on a family trip to Colorado, I was once again inspired. This time it was the beauty of the mountain peaks and the desire to be able to summit them if I chose. Of course, I’d love to think I could do Ironman again or even complete Dopey’s Challenge at Disney. I am a dreamer so maybe it will be the summit of Kilimanjaro or Base Camp at Everest. Who knows, right? But most of all, I owe it to myself, God and those that love me to take the best care of myself I can.
Transparently, I did not want to share this for fear that I will not follow through yet again, but here goes anyway. For the first time in many years, I have consistently worked out for 30 days in a row. It’s been fun and amazing and humbling and painful. I am amazed at how my body has responded. I’ve lost a little flab and toned a few muscles. I have a lot better aerobic conditioning already despite a setback running. My mood is generally better. I sleep better. My back already feels better and I don’t get winded as easily. I can’t wait to hit golf balls to see if the core work lets me hit the ball further.
I find myself looking forward to working out.
So, I’d like to encourage you a little bit by sharing actual notes from my workout journal:
- Does every 65ish year old woman run that fast?
- Running in my 14-year-old Ironman T-Shirt makes me faster
- Does that 65ish year old woman wait for me just so she can run by me?
- To the untrained eye, when I do sit ups, it looks a lot like I am just laying on my back in front of the couch.
- It is impossible to run fast with clinched butt cheeks and it is socially unacceptable to knock on a stranger’s door and ask to use the bathroom.
- Apparently speed laces refer to how quickly you can put your shoes on, not how quickly you run wearing them.
- Hey, that’s a pretty sunrise.
- I need to find somewhere else to run where there are no 65ish year old women.
- When timing a plank, time moves slower than a toddler getting ready for bed.
- Well doc, I was running and felt good, and it just felt like someone shot me in my right calf. No sir, I did not twist or step funny. Just running.
- Does sitting up in the bed and the morning and laying down in the bed at night count as one sit up for the day?
- I am pretty sure I just aggravated a calf injury playing ball with a two-year-old.
- Thank God I have the health to do this.
- I’m pretty sure I am going to have to get some of those knee-high compression socks if I want to keep running.
- Watch out 65ish year old woman, I don’t give up easy.
- Perhaps if I outlive everyone in my age group, I can qualify for, and compete in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
In all seriousness, start where you are, use what you have and do what you can. I have not joined a gym, bought any exercise equipment, or workout videos. I’ve used free, downloadable resources from the web and picked a few key areas to focus on. I started with core strength and aerobic conditioning. Don’t be afraid to be slow or even unable to complete the workout. It’s okay, you are not alone. Don’t look around and compare yourself to others. Look around and find somebody to encourage. (I cheer for 65ish year old women!)
Use your smartphone or smart watch and download an app to track your progress (Strava, Runkeeper, Endomondo and a bunch of others.) Get some earbuds and download some good music to listen to while you work out. I have a workout playlist that absolutely motivates me. Have fun. Give yourself a break. Build up slowly: crawl, then stand, then walk, then run. Celebrate the little successes. Reward yourself with a donut every now and then.
I think of the people I love and that love me and it motivates me. I think of the freedom I am gaining by working out to do things physically I can’t currently do and that motivates me. I think of how blessed I am health wise and that motivates me. I remember Dick and Ricky Hoyt and that motivates me. I think of my love for firefighting and needing to be in the best shape possible in case it is needed to help my fellow firefighters, or a patient and it motivates me. What motivates you?
I am by no means in shape yet; I have a long way to go. But I will keep moving in the right direction no matter how slow the progress. What do you say, are you in? See you out there. I’ll be the one chasing a 65ish year old woman with a self-deprecating smile on my face.
Feel free to share your fitness goal or story in the comments. I look forward to hearing from you.
Snapshots For The Soul 