September 20, 2012

"Life is short...


...running makes it seem longer."





Let me be frank here...I hate, hate, HATE running.  Always have, always will.  I trace this back to elementary school and that dang "Presidential Physical Fitness" testing they use to do (thank you John F. Kennedy).  Ask not what you can do for your gym teacher, but what your gym teacher can do TO YOU.  Give me the standing broad jump, the flexed arm hang, the long toss, the shuttle run.  Anything but the dreaded 600 yard dash. For the record, "600 yards" and "dash" should NEVER be in the same sentence.  It  was a long, laborious, lung burning death march. I still remember Mr. Kilmer yelling across the field 'get the lead out Kathy' as I would recite "I CAN'T finish last" on a repeat loop in my brain.  Seriously Mr. Kilmer, did you notice you are wearing red and black plaid polyester pants, with a purple and gold windbreaker?  IS there a Mrs.  Kilmer?  Yes, my mind has always moved faster than my feet.

I honestly do not think there is ANYONE who truly "enjoys" running.  Except for maybe a very small group of genetic mutants.  Thing #2 is one of them, I'm not sure who her mother really is.  She runs marathons.  She doesn't sweat.  She doesn't even carry water with her.  It's disgusting.  Take me to your leader please because I look like a beet-red drowned rat when I'm done a run.  There was no alien invasion with Things #1 and #3.   They both volunteered, ad nauseum, to play goalie on their soccer teams so that they didn't have to run, or break a sweat.  No denying who THEIR mom is.

Running sucks.  I firmly believe the very idea of an endorphin produced "runner's high" is but an urban myth perpetuated by Nike execs.  Running is sweaty, it hurts, it's boring, it stinks, it even makes me wanna puke at times (which is soooooo not a good look for me).  Not to mention that NO ONE over the age of 25 looks good in spandex.  There is nothing about it that is in my comfort zone.  That zone is firmly indented on my couch, and it's wearing skinny jeans with a cute pair of platform sandals...and she's drinking a glass of Malbec for hydration.






So why do I put myself thru the agony?   I COULD tell ya it is to be stronger and healthier.  Ha, those are just fortunate by-products.  Why I REALLY torture myself is because of three truths:


1.  I want to look good in my jeans

2.  Spending quality time with my "Classic 80's Rock" playlist sans Thing #3 rolling her eyes at me 
    (nothing wrong with pretending I'm in my own 'Glee' episode with a Journey soundtrack)      
   
3.  I LOVE to eat


Shocker, "Vanity" is my middle name.  But what I have also discovered along the way, and what my Better Half has ALWAYS known....I am just a very stubborn person.  The hardest part of running is starting, and the easiest part is finishing.  But in between those two points I found that running is but one continual series of dares and challenges going on in my brain.  And I hate  to lose.  Actually, it would downright ruin my day.  As I count the seconds ticking away (and believe me, I count EVERY freakin' nano-second), I am always daring myself to not give up, to test my limits, to push beyond where I thought possible. I am both my own best competition AND worst enemy. I make up my mind and go get it.  And you know what?  I've found that I kinda like that about moi'. It's refreshing to recognize and acknowledge something positive about yourself.  Usually I'm focussed on the opposite end of the spectrum.




(I just like how this makes me look like I am a one-legged speed demon...fyi, I'm neither)


Running will always be the lima beans of physical activity for me.  Something I have to force myself to do because it's good for me.  You will NEVER see me wearing one of those "I Love Running" t-shirts.  I'm closer to "Running on Empty" than "Born to Run".  But at least I'm getting the 'lead out' Mr. Kilmer.  And I've got the jeans to prove it.  Newsflash...they most definetly aren't plaid polyester.

Gotta run...

--Kathy

linked to:  This or That ThursdayThursday Favorite Things,  Photo Story Friday, Finding Serendipity


31 comments:

  1. Boy did you bring back the memories of that silly President's Fitness thingie. Sprinters should never have to run a distance further than 100 yards and that's according to the world of T. I'm a waddler of John Bingham, "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

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  2. I used to hate to run, too...now I wish I could just do it again! As much as I hated it, no other exercise kept the pounds off as much as running. These days my arthritic hips do better with my old, dinosaur-of-a-ski-machine. And yep, thank God for the music - if I didn't have that, I couldn't do it! Now if only eating somehow was a form of exercise...lol (I love to eat, too!).

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  3. Genetic mutants! Yes!! I hate running, but love eating and love my jeans so I do 2 hours on the eliptical/arc trainer every morning before ost sain people wake up!

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  4. I think you know how I feel about it. I didn't realize you were running so much. Good for you, Kathy!

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  5. But, the question remains....who took those superb shots! :-) And did you trip after the second shot? ;-) Not sure you know who I am (possibly JillsyGirl) but I love reading your posts and seeing your lovely images (I am a follower, although I don't like to admit that to anyone, cause it makes me feel creepy). But, today, I just had to comment BECAUSE, you described my feelings about running to a TEE (except for the fact of actually running). I had a traumatic experience in Jr. High that made me realize at the grand age of 13, my body was not made to run. After running a dash (which I think it was the shortest one possible) I ended up in the nurse's room laid out on the exam table in a disheveled state. It took what seemed forever to breath regularly again. That did it. No more. At best, I jog here and there for a few minutes at most. Walking's the bomb!

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  6. Zumba! That is my system. I have been know to run but I hate it so tend to avoid it.... unless it is on the treadmill, even then I would rather be at Zumba

    Mollyxxx

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  7. I used to hate running some years ago but now I actually DO love it, it makes my body happy and relaxed. Have you read "Born to run"? Check it out otherwise: http://tinajoathome.blogspot.se/2012/09/another-book.html

    :-)

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  8. I love these selfies Kathy and I know how hard they are to do. I always have a gazillion out takes when I do something with movement....and of course the on-lookers think I'm totally nuts. Hope you were in a safe, no stare zone.
    I hate running too-so I don't. I agree with the "where's the damn endorphins?" I have started spinning at the gym in the past 1/2 year. No 2nd wind, no endorphins, no "natural high". Twice a week and hour each time and one of them is at 6 a.m. on Friday morning....please do check my sanity levels twice on that. I imagine I'm an even redder, sweatier mess than you claim ownership of. Thank God big time for nice showers right there. I say it's a hate-love relationship-hate it on the way in, love it that I did it on that way out. I applaud you for running I couldn't do that. And without Steve and Jenn kicking my ass thru class, I likely couldn't stick with the spinning either.
    I'll join you on the couch for a Malbec, but in baggy jeans.

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    1. I do spin classes too...I am even redder and drenched in more sweat after an hour of that...BUT...I can go longer spinning than I can running. On a particularly crazy morning I have been known to do back to back classes...talk about sanity levels!!! I think I leave half of me on the floor in a puddle. The advantage to running is that I get to control the play list :)

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  9. I wish I was as good as you ....
    I feel like you do except for the actual "Me running" part. I give joggers so much credit- it's hard work but such great reward. I wish I liked to jog... but I don't even thought you gave me 40 reasons to want to actually do it. p.s. your phillies look like they might be making a run for it after all here!!

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  10. Very good combination of black and white, and afterwards a colour shot.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  11. I love your utter honesty. The workout doesn't do much for me, in fact I think it makes me get fatter. My high (on the eliptical not running) hits at about 2.25 miles. That's about the time I want to quit, but somehow push it on to 3 or 3.25 on a good day. I have to admit I haven't been very faithful the past month. Your post is a motivation to get me moving again. Have a good weekend.

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  12. lima beans of physical activity???? LMAO! I hate lima beans too...(shivers) I'm so not a runner...fun post today

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  13. The pics AWESOME!!! Perfect perspective & I am envisioning the whole process of you getting these. I hear you on the running- it is something I just can't do.

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  14. You are too funny. I love reading your posts. It's like a funny short story. :) Best wishes to you.

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  15. You made LOL so much with this post! I loathe running as well. Actually, these days I dislike any type of physical activity. However, if I don't want to be as big as the side of my house exercise is a must. My physical fitness regimen includes walking, the elliptical, and Tae-bo 3-4 days a week. Yoga will take over when it starts getting cold. Yea, and how did you take those pics without falling. Is their another photographer in the making?

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    1. Sonya...maybe I run faster than I thought! I did all the photos myself and I don't have a remote :). Def a good aerobic workout :)

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    2. LOL Sonya, I've gotten to the point when I come to comment on Kathy's post, I scroll up to see if you beat me to it. You and I asked the same question - kind of.

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  16. LOL to Mr. Kilmer's outfits and double LOL to the beet red drowned rat. I ran track in high school but my dash was 220, 100 and 440 relay. Anything more that - wasn't my race. I hate jogging/running. It IS boring. I don't really like walking and if it weren't for the music I would be bored to death doing it. I have days were I have super energy and I job in intervals and by intervals I mean - "jog to the next mailbox" and catch my breath walking past the next five mailboxes. Now did you really do a self portrait of you running or is one of the Things good with James Dean?

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    1. No "things"...did them all by my lonesome. Cross my heart and swear on Mr Kilmer's flammable polyester!!!

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  18. I hate running too I walk. But since the pups came into my life I've slowed down. I try to walk everyday and now that is bringing one of them with me always an adventure. Tried it with the both of them it was trash day wrong move Tickle dump someone's recycle bin over. Here I am trying to pick it up with two active puppies. I'm sure the neighbors got a good chuckle. Have a great weekend!

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  19. Well, I certainly admire you for your determination. I don't run and I'm not looking so good in my jeans . . . I should at least walk, you would think. I love your running shots too - especially the last one!

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  20. Keep running there girl.............I wish I could again. Run one for me :)

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  21. Run, Kathy, run....I giggled through your entire post. I am not a runner, never was, never will be..but my brother is. He is like a machine and no water either. Great running shots!!

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  22. You go girl.. I wish I could talk myself into running. But I really don't think thats going to happen.

    Love your post.. Great shots.

    Hugs~

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  23. Loved this, Kathy! Fabulous captures too! You go, girl indeed!! xo

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  24. nice post! i hate running and love sitting!
    i really like the last photo with the motion blur!

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  25. oooohhhhh boy do i hear ya, love to eat, hate to run!! when the jeans don't fit, buy new ones!!

    have a wonderful weekend!!

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  26. I hate running too and of course I married a PSU Varsity Track and Cross Country athlete who still maintains his 32" waist and trains regularly. His resting heart rate is about 40 and when he goes to the drs. the nurses think he is having a heart attack and run and get the dr. Really, it makes me ill. I admire you for your discipline, I lost mine a few years ago and can't seem to get it back. I love to eat too, a habit fostered by Mr. Runner, the mutant, who ALSO cooks up a storm and feeds me to plumpness. I never used to think about eating until he unfolded all sorts of culinary delights for me. :) Then he runs and burns it all off while I mope about my weight and eat chocolate to make myself feel better. So, I really hate running.

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