ChiefD
Footballguy
I used to think those were stupid too. But then one day, my neighbor asked me if I wanted to run a half marathon. She needed someone to train with.
I hadn't run since college, and consequently I was overweight, drank a lot of beer, ate fast food, and generally didn't take care of myself much. I had three young kids who deserved to have a dad who wasn't drunken blob laying around.
So I said sure, why not. Fell off my couch 4 years ago and was barely able to run a mile and a half. If I recall, it was in the neighborhood of a 16:00 pace. Which is dang near walking fast speed.
When I finished that first half marathon 5 months later, I was proud. I had lost 17 pounds. I had cut my alcohol intake by 70%. I had cut my fast food intake by 90%. I had more energy for my kids and I looked normal for the first time in 25 years. My wife bought me one of those stickers for when I was done, and for a moment I thought about putting it on my car. I decided that the accomplishment was for me, so I stuck it on my tool box in my garage.
But I sure don't begrudge those who do. It takes a lot to get off the couch, and run every day when the idea repulses you. When you feel good or when you feel sick. But you do it anyway. So crossing that finish lines means something different to everybody. I don't know their stories, and I have a ton of respect for anybody that finishes something they set out to do.
I'm no perfect person, and I have certainly judged my fair share of people as I grew up. But I like to think as I've grown older my empathy and compassion for people has grown. At least I hope so - I want to be a guy my kids are proud of.
I hadn't run since college, and consequently I was overweight, drank a lot of beer, ate fast food, and generally didn't take care of myself much. I had three young kids who deserved to have a dad who wasn't drunken blob laying around.
So I said sure, why not. Fell off my couch 4 years ago and was barely able to run a mile and a half. If I recall, it was in the neighborhood of a 16:00 pace. Which is dang near walking fast speed.
When I finished that first half marathon 5 months later, I was proud. I had lost 17 pounds. I had cut my alcohol intake by 70%. I had cut my fast food intake by 90%. I had more energy for my kids and I looked normal for the first time in 25 years. My wife bought me one of those stickers for when I was done, and for a moment I thought about putting it on my car. I decided that the accomplishment was for me, so I stuck it on my tool box in my garage.
But I sure don't begrudge those who do. It takes a lot to get off the couch, and run every day when the idea repulses you. When you feel good or when you feel sick. But you do it anyway. So crossing that finish lines means something different to everybody. I don't know their stories, and I have a ton of respect for anybody that finishes something they set out to do.
I'm no perfect person, and I have certainly judged my fair share of people as I grew up. But I like to think as I've grown older my empathy and compassion for people has grown. At least I hope so - I want to be a guy my kids are proud of.
