Here’s the deal with Fit4Change. You bust your, um, butt, Tuesday through Friday. Paul Lacoste wants you to exercise on Saturday and Monday on your own. On Sunday, you rest and take your family to church.
Saturday’s are normally my long run day anyway. I usually get up super early and pound out 10 to 15 miles on the Ridgeland Multipurpose trail. This morning, I slept a little later than normal. I got up at seven (that’s sleeping late for me) and went in to my son’s room and nudged him. “You wanna run?”
He grumbled a bit. I think he said “yes.” I really don’t know for sure. Preteens have a language of their own.
Last week, I ran a half marathon in the freezing cold. This morning, I ran in a Spring-like soup of humidity. C’mon Mother Nature. It’s too dang hot for this time of year — quit screwing with our heads. I pushed the humidity out of way and we started running.
We ran out of our neighborhood and along a trail that led us to the Natchez Trace. At mile two, he started to run out of gas, so we walked/run for a little bit. I was OK with it because my left knee was killing me. Tight muscles and inflammation caused it to scream, “You #$#$%” at me the whole time we ran. After 3.5 miles, we ran back by the house where my son went in. I stretched my quadriceps and continued to run. That eased the pain some. I came back after five miles and then rode my spin bike for 20 more minutes.
My knee feels much better after doing that.
So, I will now add some bike-work into the mix.
OK, here’s where I take a different turn. You might think this is a blog touting the importance of exercise. If you do, I won’t argue. But the most important thing I did this morning was spend time with my son. We have now planned two races we are going to run together.
My whole quest for fitness is really about time. And exercise gives it to me. It’s the change I seek in Fit4Change.