So I started a new exercise program today. I’m a runner. I’m building up to a 5k run. Which is weird, because I have NEVER been a runner. But it’s time for an interesting change.
And because I am prepping to preach about spiritual self-improvement, I thought I’d share my physical self-improvement experience with others, and use it as a jumping off point to talk about what it takes to overcome barriers that may be preventing you from finding meaning in your life and fulfilling that meaning.
But I’ve said enough. Here’s the video from this morning:
So what do you think? How do you feel about exercise? How does that connect with spiritual health?
#1 by Brian on 2010.10.08 - 12:48pm
I will share thoughts just about physical running. You can make your own connection if you like.
Starting running cold, for the first time in your… let’s say 30’s… I would recommend a couple things.
Make a plan which a) keeps you going over a series of weeks and b) keeps you going very slowly in the beginning.
It takes a while to get to the absolute joy which can be found in running. Since I love it so much, I would encourage people to be very smart about getting into so that it has a chance of really sticking.
Also, in my experience joints, especially knees are likely to prevent a bunch of people from running. So have a plan B, because exercise offers far too many potential rewards to be ignored.
Brian
#2 by Elise on 2010.10.08 - 2:57pm
The first time I discovered that I am a runner was under the care of a personal trainer almost three years ago. At his direction I worked my way up from 5 mph to 7.4 mph, or from a 12 minute mile to an 8 minute mile. It was my first experience of truly feeling reborn as a wholly new person.
In the past two months I have finally felt ready to get back to running on my own (ready after carrying and recovering from my twins). I am still a gym runner, I like the minutia of knowing exactly how fast I am going for how long. The first day I started at 5 mph for two minutes, then I dropped down to walking for five minutes, then back up. The next day I went for three minutes, then walking. Then four minutes and walking. The next day I ran a mile. My plan going into it was to have fun and stay interested in what I was doing. I have been very careful to listen to my body and back off when I need to. It is the coolest feeling to get to a predetermined goal and discover that I can fly past it. Today I ran 1.75 miles. I play with increasing speed or length depending on how I feel and how much time I have.
Sometimes I chafe at knowing that there are people who can just jump up and run three miles without working up to it at all. But I try to stay focused on how proud I am of my own progress and that everything I am doing is good for my body and my spirit and what someone else can or can’t do is not relevant to my process.
I run, to honor God and the tools He gave me for my journey on this earth. I run to increase my physical capabilities. I run because I love the way it makes me feel. I believe in being balanced and desire to exercise every plane of my existence in order to maximize my potential.
Thank you for bringing your self improvement process into the physical plane and sharing it with us.
#3 by Mac on 2010.10.08 - 6:59pm
Thanks, Brian!
I’m actually using a plan that gets into it slowly, with lots of walking intervals between running, especially in the first week. It’s called “Couch to 5k”. More info at coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
#4 by Mac on 2010.10.08 - 7:04pm
Thanks, Elise! I am right with you in the joy of hitting goals. I think maybe there’s a hint for how to deal with spiritual junk in that. It’s easy to find a failing in yourself and feel overwhelmed by it. So maybe the trick is to find some little intermediate way evil shows up in my life, and just make some specific, reasonable level of progress be the goal. Rather than full-blown spiritual rebirth. 🙂
And I really connect with what you say about honoring God by honoring the tools He gave you. That’s a beautiful thought.
#5 by Jonetta on 2011.04.30 - 12:17am
Thanks alot – your answer solved all my prleobms after several days struggling
#6 by Kaye on 2010.10.21 - 3:10pm
Mac,
Thanks for the inspiration. I look forward to seeing your insights along the way!
#7 by Lori O on 2011.01.08 - 8:42am
Thanks for these stories. Can I subscribe to your blog or
do I need to come to this site?
#8 by Mac on 2011.01.08 - 11:52am
Thank you, Lori!
For some reason, the “subscribe by email” service for this website got turned off a while ago. I’ve turned it back on, now. It’s in the top right corner of the site.
#9 by Doug on 2011.07.24 - 4:03am
“Starting running cold, for the first time in your… let’s say 30?s… I would recommend a couple things.”
Stretching is the key thing I would reccomend if you have not run for a period of time – it can prepare you so well.. Research some running stretches – there are so many – and be aware if you ahve areas prone to injury to focus on those stretches..
#10 by Nick on 2011.07.27 - 12:20pm
Hi Mac – I’ve found that sticking to a routine is about 1) making your running / workout a habit, 2) mixing it up, and 3) not beating yourself up too much if you play hooky one day (but be careful as it a slippery slope).
I’ve also found that on the days that I don’t want to run, I just don’t think about it – just get dressed, put on my shoes, stretch and go, and sure enough, I get a smile on my face.
The other thing, specifically to running, that you might think about is doing some speed work. After warming up, you can run quarters (a lap around a track (which is a quarter mile)), 100 meter dashes, etc. For me, I’ve found it to be a good workout as sometimes just running can get boring. doing speed working will also improve your cardio and boost your metabolism more than just a 20 or 30 minute run. But if you do this, make sure you do it at a track or on the grass in a park to save your joints.
Good luck!
#11 by Scott on 2011.08.13 - 9:40pm
Brian makes some really good points.. Being in my 30’s and only recently started running, I can stress the importance of stretching.. You can seriously help prevent so many injuries if you dedicate 10 mins before and after your run doing some solid stretching – worth investing time in !
#12 by Michael on 2011.08.24 - 3:30pm
So, Mac, how’s the running going?! For me, running is HARD! But we know it’s all for good, so we stick at it, huh?