Tired Dogs are Happy Dogs

26Sep/110

I've finally gotten back into running and lifting again after an extended hiatus. The very last times I ran and lifted were in December of last year. I stopped because of injuries and didn't get back into it immediately for a number of reasons, although I was still training jiu jitsu which kept me in relatively good shape. It feels great to be doing all of it again but it's been taking a toll on my body. The soreness that follows from lifting after taking a long break is terrible.

What hurts more than the lifting is the running. Running in Vibram's really gives your legs a hell of a workout. After not running for such a long period, it would have been a good idea to ease into it. My first two runs were a little over 3 miles, but yesterday I had a training session with the Tough Mudder crew and ran 6. The distance wasn't a problem for my cardio, but my legs took a pounding and I'm totally paying the price this morning.

I'm hoping for a quick recovery so I can attack my next workout.

Out of everything I do, I find that running is the most therapeutic activity. Brazilian jiu-jitsu and lifting both have their benefits, as do every other recreational activity, but personally I've found running to be most helpful in reducing stress. When I strap in my shoes and hit the pavement, it feels like it's just me and the road. I run to run-specific music, which is just music set to a certain constant rhythm that helps to keep my cadence on track. My brain pretty much zones out and gets set to autopilot. I always get into this zen-like state when I run, like I am at peace with the world and the only thing that matters in that particular moment is me staying on track and finishing the run. I'm telling you, runner's high is REAL.

I had a talk with a friend once about working out, and I was very surprised to find out that he hated working out. He didn't enjoy it in the least, and only maintained his gym routine because he didn't want to look like a slob. I guess it was strange to me because I have the opposite mentality. I would not say that I run or lift or train bjj for any specific health reasons. Sure, it's great to be in good shape, but the main reason I do these things is because it makes me feel good. I get satisfaction from these activities, and whatever other health benefits I may derive are ancillary to the pleasure I get from doing these things.

Anyway, there's a long week ahead of us. Let's all try to enjoy the entire week and not just think to ourselves when the hell is the weekend going to get here? These days it seems like time just flies and you're left wondering to yourself holy cow, where did it all go? Reminds me of that Adam Sandler movie where he has a remote control that skips to all the "good" parts in his life but realizes in the end that the moral of the story is that your entire life IS the good part. Don't miss out on any of it.