Some people aren't as focused on the long term future and want to focus more on enjoying the present or short term future. I think it is good to balance immediate, middle and long term planning. So, how does exercise benefit me today, tomorrow or next month?
On an ideal day, I like to exercise first thing in the morning for various reasons. Most of the year, it is more comfortable outside in the morning if I am running and it ensures that I will get my exercise in that day. Sometimes, my days don't go as planned and I run out of time and miss my exercise time. But, there are other reasons I like to run in the morning. It helps me get going. It gets my energy level up so I can start my day strong. If I am running, it provides me 30-45 minutes of peaceful, quiet, alone time to think, talk to God and listen to God. That is a great way to start the day. Plus, I feel good the rest of the day when I exercise first thing.
On a bad day, when everything seems to be going wrong, running at the end of the day is helpful. It helps me recover from the day. There have been days that I have exercised at both ends of the day for this reason.
When I was a teenager, and out of shape, we often went to Six Flags in Atlanta. This is a great amusement park with roller coasters and other fun rides. We would go all day and often stand in long lines. My memory is that I would always be worn out and my back would be aching by mid to late afternoon and we usually would stay till it closed around 9 or 10 PM.
2 years ago, we took the family to Disney World for a week. We got to the gates at opening time and didn't leave till closing time every day. That was about 9 AM till 9 PM each day. Since I am cheap, we carried in lots of snacks and water and it was cool with chances of rain so we had layers of clothing to keep up with. We were either pushing a stroller with junk in it or carrying the junk in a backpack while pushing the stroller with Reece in it all day. I never had back pain. I felt great all day, all week. In fact, I got up to run a few days that week prior to going to the parks.
The year after the marathon, we went to DC with Regan and Riley (Reece stayed with family) for a long weekend. Lots of walking and carrying kids and stuff. No pain. No fatigue.
It is nice to be able to outlast your kids on vacations. It is nice to not be worn out before the end of a fun day. It is nice to be able to go on to the next fun thing without needing a rest break.
Why Exercise? Because it helps me start my day, finish my day, enjoy fun days, endure bad days, keep up with my kids, and hopefully keep up with my grandkids and great grandkids some day. It helps me be a better me.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Why Exercise? (Part 2)
After running the marathon in 2006, I was trying to think of what to do next. I didn't come up with another big physical test. What happened is that I started to see a connection between my exercising and my position as owner of a business. I was in a position of influence. But, what kind of influence? Where did exercise fit in? I had been preaching the value of reading for years. But, what about exercise? Was it important? Was it as important as reading? Why Exercise?
In 2007, we had the opportunity to get a piano for free. I like free. I wanted to move it myself to save money and because the person needed it moved quickly. The piano ended up in my house just fine and I ended up having surgery a few months later as a result.
While hooked up to all the stuff in pre-op the surgeon comes by and comments that I must run because my heart rate was so low. I told him yes and we talked about exercise and fitness. He said, "your fitness is going to make my job and your recovery easier." That is what you want to hear from the person that is going to be cutting you open. I suspect I will have a few more surgeries in my life and I want the doctors to say the same thing every time. I know I was able to be back out running within 2 weeks of my surgery and able to be back to normal activities in half the time they originally said.
Similar to this lesson, I was talking to a friend (My Marine Corp Marathon training partner) about fitness and aging. We were talking about the value of being fit as we get older, really older. There will come a point in our lives that our bodies will start naturally deteriorating. Sometimes, I think I may already be there. The example he gave was that for somebody that has simply gone from the sofa to the frig for exercise, that is the best fitness they will have and it will deteriorate from there. It won't take long before they can't get off the sofa without help.
For somebody that has been running 3-5 miles regularly, or swimming, or biking, or walking, it will take a lot longer to deteriorate to the level that going from the sofa to the frig is a challenge. My dad's dad is my example of this. He has had several surgeries including hip replacements but is still very active. This past summer, we were up there and have pictures of him playing ball with our girls and giving them horsey rides on his knees. That is their Great-Grandfather doing that with them. A few years ago, I remember seeing him jogging, not walking, down his driveway to fix his mailbox and this was just a few months after one of his hip surgeries. That is what I want to be like when I am 80+ years old.
So, why exercise? One reason is so I will be able to enjoy life in the future. If I wait till then to start, it may be too late or, at best, it will be tougher to get back into shape. It's like investing in a retirement account. The earlier you start, the easier it is to grow and maintain. The later you start the more difficult it will be and at some point, it becomes too late.
In 2007, we had the opportunity to get a piano for free. I like free. I wanted to move it myself to save money and because the person needed it moved quickly. The piano ended up in my house just fine and I ended up having surgery a few months later as a result.
While hooked up to all the stuff in pre-op the surgeon comes by and comments that I must run because my heart rate was so low. I told him yes and we talked about exercise and fitness. He said, "your fitness is going to make my job and your recovery easier." That is what you want to hear from the person that is going to be cutting you open. I suspect I will have a few more surgeries in my life and I want the doctors to say the same thing every time. I know I was able to be back out running within 2 weeks of my surgery and able to be back to normal activities in half the time they originally said.
Similar to this lesson, I was talking to a friend (My Marine Corp Marathon training partner) about fitness and aging. We were talking about the value of being fit as we get older, really older. There will come a point in our lives that our bodies will start naturally deteriorating. Sometimes, I think I may already be there. The example he gave was that for somebody that has simply gone from the sofa to the frig for exercise, that is the best fitness they will have and it will deteriorate from there. It won't take long before they can't get off the sofa without help.
For somebody that has been running 3-5 miles regularly, or swimming, or biking, or walking, it will take a lot longer to deteriorate to the level that going from the sofa to the frig is a challenge. My dad's dad is my example of this. He has had several surgeries including hip replacements but is still very active. This past summer, we were up there and have pictures of him playing ball with our girls and giving them horsey rides on his knees. That is their Great-Grandfather doing that with them. A few years ago, I remember seeing him jogging, not walking, down his driveway to fix his mailbox and this was just a few months after one of his hip surgeries. That is what I want to be like when I am 80+ years old.
So, why exercise? One reason is so I will be able to enjoy life in the future. If I wait till then to start, it may be too late or, at best, it will be tougher to get back into shape. It's like investing in a retirement account. The earlier you start, the easier it is to grow and maintain. The later you start the more difficult it will be and at some point, it becomes too late.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Why Exercise? (Part 1)
Up until my junior year of high school I avoided exercise pretty much at all cost, but it was toward the end of that year that my baseball coach told me that if I wanted to play college baseball I needed to drop some pounds. I was a 5'11" 200 lbs shortstop and very little of that 200 lbs was muscle. I guess that got my attention. I lost 40 lbs between my junior and senior year. Simply eating less and working up to running one mile a day. I had just injured my knee and couldn't run at first so I started jogging in place on one of those little exercise trampolines. That is how it all started, I felt great, not just physically but mentally as well. It gave me confidence that I could do what I set my mind to.
That one mile turned to 2 in college. I even ran the Peachtree Road Race, a 10k, while in college to keep up with my girlfriend (future wife). After a family reunion, my wife's, I decided to up my runs to 3 miles because there were too many people older than me running farther and faster than me. I was going to be in better shape for the next reunion.
In 2006, the idea of a marathon popped up. I had entertained that idea before but quickly let it go because it was a "crazy" idea. 26.2 miles!?!?! But, in 2006 I heard Dan Cathy talk about his marathon experience and then a friend said he was thinking about one. So, that spring I signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon in DC. The training was brutal. Many aches and pains. But also many memories, the beautiful sunrises over foggy fields along NC 10 (The background of this blog reminds me of those mornings), running to my store from home, eating at Q-Shack after a 23 mile training run. That was some awesome BBQ. Then came the marathon. I hadn't had "pregame butterflies" like that since playing baseball in college. Unfortunately, being a novice marathoner, I let those butterflies make me fly the first 6-8 miles. I couldn't slow down. It came back to hurt me around mile 15 or 16. I was hurting and had to stop and walk frequently the rest of the race. But, eventually, I got to that last mile. I was going to finish it running. The last .1 or .2 was up a steep hill. I remember looking down at my legs as I was going up that hill. I was facinated with my calf muscles because they were cramping every step up that hill and it looked really funny. It even felt "funny". The feeling crossing that finish line is impossible to describe. I had just completed a marathon. Sure, I walked some but that was because of foolishness at the beginning not fitness. I had run 23-24 miles in training so I knew I was fit. The only goal that day was to finish and I had.
The theme that CFA uses for exercise is "Fit to Lead". From my senior year of high school till that marathon I think exercise was simply to help keep the weight off, sometimes more effectively than others. In 2006, exercise took on more meaning. I realized I needed to be "Fit to Lead".
That one mile turned to 2 in college. I even ran the Peachtree Road Race, a 10k, while in college to keep up with my girlfriend (future wife). After a family reunion, my wife's, I decided to up my runs to 3 miles because there were too many people older than me running farther and faster than me. I was going to be in better shape for the next reunion.
In 2006, the idea of a marathon popped up. I had entertained that idea before but quickly let it go because it was a "crazy" idea. 26.2 miles!?!?! But, in 2006 I heard Dan Cathy talk about his marathon experience and then a friend said he was thinking about one. So, that spring I signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon in DC. The training was brutal. Many aches and pains. But also many memories, the beautiful sunrises over foggy fields along NC 10 (The background of this blog reminds me of those mornings), running to my store from home, eating at Q-Shack after a 23 mile training run. That was some awesome BBQ. Then came the marathon. I hadn't had "pregame butterflies" like that since playing baseball in college. Unfortunately, being a novice marathoner, I let those butterflies make me fly the first 6-8 miles. I couldn't slow down. It came back to hurt me around mile 15 or 16. I was hurting and had to stop and walk frequently the rest of the race. But, eventually, I got to that last mile. I was going to finish it running. The last .1 or .2 was up a steep hill. I remember looking down at my legs as I was going up that hill. I was facinated with my calf muscles because they were cramping every step up that hill and it looked really funny. It even felt "funny". The feeling crossing that finish line is impossible to describe. I had just completed a marathon. Sure, I walked some but that was because of foolishness at the beginning not fitness. I had run 23-24 miles in training so I knew I was fit. The only goal that day was to finish and I had.
The theme that CFA uses for exercise is "Fit to Lead". From my senior year of high school till that marathon I think exercise was simply to help keep the weight off, sometimes more effectively than others. In 2006, exercise took on more meaning. I realized I needed to be "Fit to Lead".
Friday, September 23, 2011
Rusty Tool in a Master's Hands
Here is another learning from a run at the beach this past summer. One morning Regan was supposed to run with me at the beginning and I would run further after she finished. I went to get her and she was stalling, not wanting to run but after much proding she finally went out with me. Let's just say it wasn't the smoothest 1 mile jog. Lot's of walking and complaining. When she was done I continued and eventually met up with Kaylyn who was finishing her longer run. She wasn't exactly having a great morning either and wasn't eager to have a running partner. But, I joined her heading back toward the house. Since I hadn't gotten much mileage yet I continued past our house and decided to take one of the side streets that I don't normally take. I passed an older woman walking a couple dogs along the way. It was a dead end road and I started my way back and this time I saw the lady lying in a grassy area beside the road with the dogs. At first I thought she was just relaxing with the dogs but as I got closer she yelled to me, asking for help. It turns out the dogs had caught her off balance and she had fallen and could not get up on her own. Once I had helped her up, she was able to continue walking and insisted she was fine so I continued my run. I decided to go back to the main road and head up a little farther and then come back to check on her. By the time I got back a few minutes later, she was gone. I also noticed that where she had fallen was not very close to the main road.
I realized that all the delays I had endured that morning and my need for variety on my runs had put me in the right place to help this woman. Who knows how long she would have been stuck there. People on the main road wouldn't notice her and it was too far to yell. God had used our imperfections to put me where he wanted me to help her. If the morning had gone smoother, as I was hoping, I would have probably passed the woman coming back before she had fallen.
That's a good reminder that God uses us, rusty tools, to carry out His will. He doesn't need us to be perfect. He is greater than we can imagine and can overcome all our imperfections. That sure is comforting.
I realized that all the delays I had endured that morning and my need for variety on my runs had put me in the right place to help this woman. Who knows how long she would have been stuck there. People on the main road wouldn't notice her and it was too far to yell. God had used our imperfections to put me where he wanted me to help her. If the morning had gone smoother, as I was hoping, I would have probably passed the woman coming back before she had fallen.
That's a good reminder that God uses us, rusty tools, to carry out His will. He doesn't need us to be perfect. He is greater than we can imagine and can overcome all our imperfections. That sure is comforting.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Planning for Planning
For the first time in my life I have been commited to having planning days once a month. I started this about 4 months ago and have been pretty good at making sure that day happens. What I found, though, was that I had trouble using that day wisely. I had to learn how to plan. Does it mean learning, reading, filling things in on my calendar, reviewing results, meeting with others? I knew that if I stuck with it and tried different things, I would figure it out.
Yesterday was my most recent planning day and I tried something new. I actually planned for my planning day. Not just by keeping that day clear on my calendar. I actually filled up my day with things I wanted to get done and had them in time slots. I had a meeting with a friend to discuss service and leadership. I had calendar updates. I had learning. I even had lunch with Kaylyn. I was a little concerned when I got behind first thing in the AM with my breakfast meeting but it was worth it. I was able to catch back up before lunch, though. I even was able to get a little ahead before meeting Kaylyn for a nice relaxing and tasty lunch.
It was right after lunch that I really saw the benefits of planning. On the way home from lunch, Kaylyn called because the window on her van stopped working and was stuck down. So, I spent about 30-45 minutes getting her van to a shop to get it repaired. While this wasn't in my plan, I had put the actions that were most important first in my day so the afternoon was filled with "optional" stuff that I knew I could get caught up on if I didn't do it right then. This became even more important because I got a call from a friend that needed some help and I was able to help without neglecting anything important in my "planning" day. As it turned out, I got 1 of the 3 things done that I had planned for that afternoon. But, I got all the stuff done that I had planned in the AM (the important stuff).
If I had not planned for my planning day, I know I would have wasted time in the AM figuring out what to do and then when my plans got off track in the afternoon, I would have not gotten some important stuff done.
I certainly had a few wrenches thrown into my planning day, and a few into my van, but because I actually planned, it didn't hurt as much. I recently read a statement about how some of the great football coaches viewed planning and prep. It was the single most important thing they did according to them. Their success was directly related to their planning and preparation.
I like the quote, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." It's that simple. It's also that convicting.
Yesterday was my most recent planning day and I tried something new. I actually planned for my planning day. Not just by keeping that day clear on my calendar. I actually filled up my day with things I wanted to get done and had them in time slots. I had a meeting with a friend to discuss service and leadership. I had calendar updates. I had learning. I even had lunch with Kaylyn. I was a little concerned when I got behind first thing in the AM with my breakfast meeting but it was worth it. I was able to catch back up before lunch, though. I even was able to get a little ahead before meeting Kaylyn for a nice relaxing and tasty lunch.
It was right after lunch that I really saw the benefits of planning. On the way home from lunch, Kaylyn called because the window on her van stopped working and was stuck down. So, I spent about 30-45 minutes getting her van to a shop to get it repaired. While this wasn't in my plan, I had put the actions that were most important first in my day so the afternoon was filled with "optional" stuff that I knew I could get caught up on if I didn't do it right then. This became even more important because I got a call from a friend that needed some help and I was able to help without neglecting anything important in my "planning" day. As it turned out, I got 1 of the 3 things done that I had planned for that afternoon. But, I got all the stuff done that I had planned in the AM (the important stuff).
If I had not planned for my planning day, I know I would have wasted time in the AM figuring out what to do and then when my plans got off track in the afternoon, I would have not gotten some important stuff done.
I certainly had a few wrenches thrown into my planning day, and a few into my van, but because I actually planned, it didn't hurt as much. I recently read a statement about how some of the great football coaches viewed planning and prep. It was the single most important thing they did according to them. Their success was directly related to their planning and preparation.
I like the quote, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." It's that simple. It's also that convicting.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Run at the Beach
One of my favorite times to run is while on vacation. Many people think I am crazy because that is when they least want to run. I have a few reasons for really liking to run at these times. 1) I like to eat more on vacation so the running helps me not put on alot more weight although sometimes I still eat more than I run. 2) I like to see the new scenery. I love seeing new stuff and I can run farther when I don't know what is around the corner or just down the street. 3) I like to scope out the places that I want to go see at a more relaxed pace later in the day or week.
I didn't get to run when we went to NY this year which was a bummer because we spent a couple days in Niagara Falls and that would have been a great place to run with the view of the falls. I wonder if I could have run from one side to the other? I haven't ever run from one country to another.
A week or so before we went to the beach I decided to give my knee another chance at running. I made it my normal distance without any pain. So, then I added a few miles and still no pain. Great!
At the beach I ran most of the days we were there. Since it is flat (and because my wife was running some long distances), I decided to see what I could do after not running for about 5-6 months. Kaylyn told me she needed to do 6 or 7 miles according to her 1/2 marathon training schedule. So, that became my target. I intended to do at least 5 but was hoping to do 6. It was an out and back run so you really commit to the distance half way through it unless you want to do a good bit of walking, which I didn't.
That morning I headed out for the causeway which was just over 3 miles away. As I said above, I like looking at stuff while I run. That includes the path in front of me. As I was running, saw a penny on the sidewalk. As my friends would expect, I stopped to pick it up. I had just burnt calories and made money! Years ago I either read or heard somebody talking about how they are reminded what is printed on our coins each time they find one. In God We Trust. Up to this point in the run, I had been in the mode of worrying about some challenges in life. So, seeing the penny really helped me refocus. This doesn't just happen like flipping a switch. It is intentional and slow at times. Instead of being challenges or problems, I try to see them as opportunities. Opportunities to grow and learn.
Back to running, now with a penny in my hand. As I was crossing a side street I saw a small wrench. I didn't pick it up because I didn't want to carry it for 4+ miles. But, I did take note of what intersection it was at so I could pick it up on the way back.
At this point I have been able to get my thinking more productive and open to learning vs. just worrying.
As I am approaching the end of run out to the causeway and the half way mile point, I see another penny. Of course, I stop to pick it up. Now I have 2 pennies and a wrench waiting for me a couple miles ahead. So, I am thinking about these items and working on listening. I have been reminded twice now about "In God We Trust". Did I trully believe it? Could I really say, "In God I trust"? I was working on it.
I hit the end of the first half of my run (3.1 miles by the way) so I turn around and start heading back. I am focused on finding that wrench and wrestling with "In God I Trust". Amazingly, I had already forgotten exactly where that wrench was. I remembered the street name but forgot the landmarks. This is important because as I am running and thinking and listening, I sometimes get so lost in thought that I forget my surroundings. This is nice because I also forget any discomfort of running or wishing I was closer to the finish. But, all of the sudden I had realized that I had passed some side streets without paying attention to their names. And since I couldn't remember any landmarks I began to be worried I had passed the street already. Should I go back and check? If I did, I would add even more mileage and I was already pushing my distance to a point that was probably not the wisest since I hadn't trained much and my knee was still having to get used to the longer distance. I decided to keep going in the hope that the wrench was still ahead. Sure enough, I come to the street but I can't remember exactly where it was at the intersection. I knew it was in the grassy sand area, not on the sidewalk or road. I took a few minutes looking for it but I eventually found it.
I hit the end of the first half of my run (3.1 miles by the way) so I turn around and start heading back. I am focused on finding that wrench and wrestling with "In God I Trust". Amazingly, I had already forgotten exactly where that wrench was. I remembered the street name but forgot the landmarks. This is important because as I am running and thinking and listening, I sometimes get so lost in thought that I forget my surroundings. This is nice because I also forget any discomfort of running or wishing I was closer to the finish. But, all of the sudden I had realized that I had passed some side streets without paying attention to their names. And since I couldn't remember any landmarks I began to be worried I had passed the street already. Should I go back and check? If I did, I would add even more mileage and I was already pushing my distance to a point that was probably not the wisest since I hadn't trained much and my knee was still having to get used to the longer distance. I decided to keep going in the hope that the wrench was still ahead. Sure enough, I come to the street but I can't remember exactly where it was at the intersection. I knew it was in the grassy sand area, not on the sidewalk or road. I took a few minutes looking for it but I eventually found it.
I still have at least a mile to go, probably closer to 2 and I have more time to think and listen. The pennies and wrench are getting some of my attention but I am still concentrating on what I can be learning from the opportunities I had been worrying about and "In God I Trust". I realized that I had some good visual tools in my hands.
Sometimes it feels like God throws a "wrench" in my plans but if I listen He will share his "two cents" with me. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight", are two of my favorite verses. My Mom made me a picture with that verse on it and it is up in my bedroom Proverbs 3:5-6 is so reassuring but it is also so hard to apply at times. So often I want to be in control. So often I want my plans to be kept. So often I know what is right for me. I don't really want to be in control. I know God knows what is best for me. But, I get distracted and pride sneeks in.
I got back to the house we were staying at. I had completed about 6.2 miles which was what I was hoping to do but I was still feeling pretty good, and I knew Kaylyn was going to run 7 the next day, so I figured I was so close I might as well keep going. I did about 1 more mile so I ended up just over 7 miles. On that last mile I found one more penny. I consider that my reward for "going the extra mile".
So, when it feels like God throws a wrench in my plans, I need to stop and listen to His "two cents" and if I do listen and apply what I hear, He will "make my path straight".
As a footnote to this entry, I had a few wrenches thrown in my plans as I was writing this. It took about 6 days to get this one entry done but in that time I was able to think about it more and really understand what it means.
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