When its in Black & White

Not surprisingly, finding the motivation to train for a 10km run is easy when printed in the local paper.  It brings accountability and focus to a whole new level.  The reason I even signed up was to get fit again, lose some of my chemo weight and give back.  I trained for about 7 weeks and was surprised how easy it was.  Each run I increased my distance and even though remaining pretty slow, my stamina and endurance improved.   Nailing 2 out of my 3 goals:  I completed the run in 1hr12mins (no walking) and am fitter than I was 12 months ago.  Thanks to everyone’s support, together we raised nearly $2500 for the San Foundation.

Annoyingly Happy

What was surprising though, was how happy I felt.  I mean happy on the inside.  Waking up happy.  Not caring that I still have many kilos to lose because I looked in the mirror and saw a smiley face.  Singing in the shower happy.  Annoyingly happy!!!

Exercise v Morphine

We all know that exercise can affect your mood.  In fact studies show that the endorphins released not only create a euphoric state but can decrease the actual pain effects of exercise.  In addition to this these super endorphins can be addictive and behave in similar ways to morphine.

Get off your butt

Even though we know this  I for one, have not experienced this first hand.  Knowing it and living it seem to be two very different things.  This happens in our lives all the time.  Exercise, sugar, meditation, sleeping…..the list goes on.  Do more of this, or eat less of that, rest more, exercise more, take time out, all of which will improve your overall wellbeing.  So if we all know this, and occasionally we experience this, then why do we not get off our butts and do it?  Are we just too busy with our day jobs and trying to be the best wife, mother, friend that there are not enough hours in the day? Are we stunned into inaction as there are too many choices at any given point so we end up achieving nothing?  Are we mentally exhausted from the merry-go-round that is life that we don’t have the capacity or will power?  Or is this an evolutionary tale where this is the modern day survival of the fittest?  If we collectively commit to some basics to improve our overall wellbeing, can we increase our lifespan?

Going cold turkey

I am sure you can guess, since completing the 10km run I have done very little exercise.  Predictably this has affected my mood, my happy endorphins have been cut off and I am having withdrawals.  What I have discovered, is that I need a goal and to share that goal.   It is not enough to be part of a training group.  I need much more to get me out of bed at 5.30am on a Tuesday morning.  I am going to sign up for another run, not as a fundraiser but just for the “fun” of it…….all I need now is for someone to print it in the paper….now where’s that number?

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