I recently came across a quote that I’d recorded at some point:
“Balance is the key to success in all things. Do not neglect your mind, body or spirit. Invest time and energy in all of them equally — it will be the best investment you ever make, not just for your life but for whatever is to follow.” – Tanya Wheway
It’s amazing how easily I forget it. Even though I have been running something every day, I haven’t derived the same enjoyment from as it as I sometimes do. A sure sign of that has been my desire to run with an iPod. For the longest time I didn’t even have an mp3 player, it was never part of my running routine. But I started using it for some long runs over the winter, and recently have turned to it as a crutch for my long runs. It’s been even worse since I haven’t been making it out to my group’s long runs on the weekends.. my mileage has suffered along with my motivation.
Well thankfully today I made it out for a bike ride with Melissa, and wow, everything feels so much better now. I feel envigorated and energized and gung ho! To some extent, it’s what Mike Krotscheck and I were talking about the other day – sometimes you’re just in a rut – you can even recognize it, but there you are. I was running, but I was using crutches to go through the motions. I wasn’t fully engaged and it wasn’t ‘easy’ or ‘fun’.
Generally Melissa and I ride 20 miles. (As in, I’ve never run further than that). Today at the turn around point, I suggested we keep going. So we did 30. I came home, changed, grabbed some gu and headed out for a run. I was feeling strong, happy, energetic and stable. I spend a lot of time in my own head, and I can get really anxious and bothered by things. When I have a good workout like today, I feel like things are in their proper perspective.
In a world where we’re so busy and have so much to achieve and accomplish, I love the fact that I just spent 4 hours (17% of the day!) outside, sweating. I wasn’t coding, or gardening, or doing laundry. I was thinking and feeding myself emotionally, physically and to some extent spiritually.
And it’s going to make everything else I do today so much better….
Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
Hi Andrea, I enjoyed this post. As an athlete we sometimes feel burned out from doing the same thing everyday, so it is always a good thing to mix it up. Playing a different sport, cross training, or a combination of those things will always help bring balance back in our lives. Thanks again.
ps, I sat next to you and said hi after viral marketing session (last session)