Burn With Us

I know exactly why I did it and it’s not just the “because I can” mantra of mountain climbers. I did it because I was visiting the doctor today and wanted to prove to him and to myself that I am improving.

So I took the usual 5 minute brisk walk in the beginning this morning. That walk brings me to the top of my development and I mean the top – it’s an uphill climb when you get towards the last 200 yards. Once at the top, I cross the street, hit a brand new tune on the pathetic excuse for an mp3 player and I started to jog back down the hill and through my development.

And this morning I didn’t stop for 15 solid minutes.

I basically pushed myself to a limit (I won’t say my limit just yet – I think I’ve got a *bit* more in me till I totally break) and came out way further than I thought. Was I tired? Sure. Beat to hell. But I got 15 minutes in without a break. I didn’t even zombie-walk (which I tend to find myself doing in between jogs later in the hour).

I brisk-walked afterward for three minutes to allow myself to feel a little less wobbly and then I proceeded to run again. I was aimed at another 15 minutes to see what would happen but 5 minutes in, I stopped. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was physically spent. Couldn’t even walk but forced the legs to move their zombie walk back to the house (yeah, i skipped my remainder 20 minute walk due to exhaustion).

I’m not recommending this for everyone (hell, I’m not sure I’m recommending I do it again). But here’s the cool thing. Every time I go out there, I set up a challenge for myself. This one I didn’t even lay out ahead of time. I just said, “Let’s see how far we can go” and I went.

I don’t know if this applies to anyone else reading this but I tend to find myself bored by routine after a little while. Mike, I tip my hat to you and the track. I’d go bonkers in that situation after 2 days. I just like scenery too much. Or the pretty girls walking to the commuter’s lot. I’m not sure which I like more.

But if you find yourself bored of the routine, set up a different goal for yourself and see what you can do. You’ll surprise yourself. See that corner up ahead? I’m not stopping till I round it. The next day? I’m not stopping until 3 houses after it. The day after that? I’m not stopping till I get 6 houses past.

Pretty soon, the corner will be a distant memory (“I once jogged *just* to here???”). And you’ll be that much farther.

Off to bed so I can see 6am again!

L8r,

-Jack