Cheat Not, Run For Yourself.
It's a day after the run, and although I only did 5K somehow my legs are still sore. It must have been the way I "tiptoe" run or perhaps I'm just not used to so much running. Funny though, even with sore legs, the exhiliration from the run still lingers on. I'm still very much stress free and happy. I ran not for someone else but rather for myself. It's something one does to challenge oneself.
When I signed up for 5K, I knew it wasn't much at all if you talk to a "real" runner, but for me who a year ago was still 15kgs (32lbs) heavier it was quite something. I had started running to lose weight. Prior to that, the last time I remember running was during my childhood days. I had forgotten how it was to run and be "active." So used was I to sitting in my office chair for 10 hours on end staring at the computer screen. I had derived comfort from sitting, eating, and websurfing. Sitting was comfortable. Running was not "my" thing.
Fitter now, I wanted to see if I could do the 5K. The weeks running up to the run had been a bit hectic and I had not been training as much as I should have. I was nervous and wondered if I should instead lower myself to the 2.5K. I'm glad it remained a passing thought and that I stayed on track with my 5K. During the run, I was tempted to cut across the lanes and shorten my run, but then I would only be cheating myself.
I would not be cheating anyone since this run is for "fun" with no competition. However, if I had cut across, I would have "cheated" myself. I would have "cheated" by telling myself that I did 5K when in reality I didn't. I would have meant I had taken the easy way out rather than pushing through to the end. It was not a habit I wanted to have. A habit that is not good for running, nor for anything else in life. I believe that if you want to do something, do it with full intention and do it with full effort. If not, don't do it.
The run wasn't really physically tiring, it was mentally challenging. The brain kept wanting to stop when the body could go on for much more. It's an internal battle you just have to beat. When on my weightloss, the battle was much more intense. I wanted to stop at every opportunity. Now the "enemy of lazy bones" has been losing and hopefully they will one day give up the fight.
What once you feared, upon doing it, it often turns out to be easier than thought. I'm actually now tempted to do the 10K next year. If I choose to, I have a year to train. It won't kill me. At worst, I'll just end up walking. So that is what running for me is all about. It's not only about keeping fit, but its about challenging yourself, challenging your mental attitude, challenging your mind to accomplish what you set out to do. Reach for your goal and accomplish it!
When I signed up for 5K, I knew it wasn't much at all if you talk to a "real" runner, but for me who a year ago was still 15kgs (32lbs) heavier it was quite something. I had started running to lose weight. Prior to that, the last time I remember running was during my childhood days. I had forgotten how it was to run and be "active." So used was I to sitting in my office chair for 10 hours on end staring at the computer screen. I had derived comfort from sitting, eating, and websurfing. Sitting was comfortable. Running was not "my" thing.
Fitter now, I wanted to see if I could do the 5K. The weeks running up to the run had been a bit hectic and I had not been training as much as I should have. I was nervous and wondered if I should instead lower myself to the 2.5K. I'm glad it remained a passing thought and that I stayed on track with my 5K. During the run, I was tempted to cut across the lanes and shorten my run, but then I would only be cheating myself.
I would not be cheating anyone since this run is for "fun" with no competition. However, if I had cut across, I would have "cheated" myself. I would have "cheated" by telling myself that I did 5K when in reality I didn't. I would have meant I had taken the easy way out rather than pushing through to the end. It was not a habit I wanted to have. A habit that is not good for running, nor for anything else in life. I believe that if you want to do something, do it with full intention and do it with full effort. If not, don't do it.
The run wasn't really physically tiring, it was mentally challenging. The brain kept wanting to stop when the body could go on for much more. It's an internal battle you just have to beat. When on my weightloss, the battle was much more intense. I wanted to stop at every opportunity. Now the "enemy of lazy bones" has been losing and hopefully they will one day give up the fight.
What once you feared, upon doing it, it often turns out to be easier than thought. I'm actually now tempted to do the 10K next year. If I choose to, I have a year to train. It won't kill me. At worst, I'll just end up walking. So that is what running for me is all about. It's not only about keeping fit, but its about challenging yourself, challenging your mental attitude, challenging your mind to accomplish what you set out to do. Reach for your goal and accomplish it!
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