Pace Yourself…

There is a saying that goes something like, “Tis better to aim for the stars and miss, than aim for a manure pile and hit.”

I disagree.

In all my 35 years, I’ve never liked running. In fact, I’ve hated it. Why do I hate it? Because I’m no good! Here is a secret. If you’re sitting on the couch, and you decide that you want to get up and run a few miles, it’s not going to happen. You’ll crap out by the end of the first block.

When I can’t even run around the block I feel like a loser. So why would I want to get off the couch and run when the end result is that I feel like a loser? I’d much rather sit on the couch and feel like a winner (nobody is as good at sitting on the couch as I am). When I aim for the stars and miss, my self esteem is shot.

But for the past three weeks I’ve been doing the C25k program. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to turn into a jog blog. But the nice thing about this program is that it starts ridiculously easy. For example, the first week I was never running for more than 60 seconds. That is cake! The next week I ran for 90 seconds, and this week, 3 minutes. I’ve always been a bit winded, but never in pain. And since I’m aiming for the manure pile, and not the stars, by golly I feel good about myself. I am hitting my goal every time. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can hit that manure pile like I can. *pats back with a manure covered hand*.

So, don’t buy into the stary eyed hype. Did you know that space (where stars live) is a cold and barren place? The Manure pile is nice and warm. Because the manure is fresh.

Come my friends. Come join me in the manure pile.

Image courtesy of Baby Dinosaur.