Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
I worked out on Fat Tuesday (yesterday) to avoid being fat. I worked out this morning (Ash Wednesday), to postpone being ash.
Death is coming. It could be here today. Or I could live to 100. My ticket could be punched any day. But until that day comes, I will strive to be in the best shape I possibly can be. Because I want to be more than just alive — I want to truly live. And being fit and healthy is a key component of living.
That said, I worked-out on three and a half hours sleep this morning. I got in late from Oxford last night and the alarm came early. I’m as smart a squash this morning. But I went to the gym anyway. I leaned on my line mates to pull me through. And they did. I didn’t want to let them down. And they lifted me up.
There were a lot of burpees and mountain climbers. We ran a lot, too. I ran 8.0 mph on the treadmill and could taste the Red Bull I drank last night (that stuff is like poisonous cough syrup — but better than hitting a tree or bridge embankment). I sweated poison through my veins.
But I did it. Because exercise is now more than a habit — It’s part of my life.
And it will be until I am ash again.