Run fun!

One of the first thing we learn to do in life is to run. As kids we are told play and have fun, but somewhere along the way we have managed to make what was once fun into a chore (workout). Running used to be fun. Remember when we ran around all day playing kick the bucket, hide and seek, and played soccer with friends. Why did we stop all the fun activities, and where did all the injuries come from?

I have been reading this book: Born To Run, and it made me think about these things. Why do people tell us that doing something that we were born to do is no longer fun? Since this happened, and we started to eat processed food instead, have we changed for the better? I personally don't think so, but McDonald's would probably argue that with me. Running has been the fundamental base to every sport, except chess if you call that a sport, and yet most people don't know how to properly run any more. Most of you have probably heard the expression: you get good at what you practice. Well people, start practicing so that we can start having fun again. Think how much fun it would be to play ball again with your friend, or just go for a run to clear your mind. Running also comes with a great side effect, it burns the most calories of any activity. So for you who have a sedentary job, get the "couch potato to 5k" program and get back in the game! Don't ever let anyone tell you that running isn't fun. Think back at all the fun you had as kid, before they told you that running wasn't fun, and help them remember.

What about injuries? I have bad knees, my back is not very strong so I have to protect it, I have weak ankles, flat feet........ When did all this happen? When we stopped playing! What people fail to realize is that you can't stop playing for 20 years, and then pick up where you left off. No wonder we hurt ourselves when we go out and play that yearly game of flag football. We go from zero to hero in one day. The key is to never stop being active. In other words, don't listen to those who tell you that watching the game is more fun than playing it. Just know that if you have been sedentary for a while, start slowly, and mean really slowly. Start walking, a few crunches, and don't forget stretching.

A challenge that grew into something much bigger.

Two years ago my best friend Tommy challenged me to an Olympic distance triathlon(1500m swim, 24.9 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). Not being one to back down I accepted it, and that's how it all started. In 2009 I bought my first bike (Trek Madone 5.1) not counting the one I had when I was 12 years old, and a punch card to the local pool. Like any athlete crossing from one sport to another, I thought I would pick it up without a problem. I had never swam laps before, biked farther than 6 miles, or run more than 5 miles. But heck, I'm a decathlete, how hard can it be :) I won't bother you with all the time I spent in the pool, or miles on the bike and on the road running. After 2 sprint triathlons I finally did my first Olympic distance triathlon with lots of cramping along the way in 2 hrs. 41 min..

After I had finished the challenge, and beaten Tommy's time by 2 min., I thought the madness was over. On the contrary, it had just begun. Tommy responded by crushing me with 2 hrs. 30 min. time of his own, and the race was back on. A knee problem set me back a bit, but I was able to get back in the saddle again and continued the hunt. Many hrs. in the pool and hrs. on the road later, I finished a very painful half IronMan in 5 hrs. 55 min. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alRp5WzrLkY

One of the most amazing abilities that we humans possess is the ability to suppress painful things. It took me 4 months to forget about how painful that half IM was (and how I was literally a wreck for 2 weeks after), but I did. So, how do you know when you have truly suppressed something? When you sign up for double the dose! Oh yes, I did...on July 30th I will do a full IronMan (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run).

Follow me in my quest of finishing one of the biggest challenges known to man - becoming an IronMan!

For laughs (and to give you an idea of how most conversations go when people find out I am embarking on this challenge, here is great clip for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B03dFMG8nR4&feature=player_embedded