Run Fat Boy Run
A long-distance charity runner may get plenty of praise for rising to a challenge and taking up a cause, but with all athletic endeavours, there are some terribly humbling moments.
“Hey Dad, you were really ‘chugging’ along there.”
That less-than-flattering observation came from my 16-year-old son after he and a pal observed me running laps at a track.
“Chugging” is only a good word for college sophomores, not middle-age distance runners!
A parent of a friend of my 12-year-old son, commented that he saw me running the other day while he was driving and that it looked as though I must have been finishing up from a long run because I looked ‘really’ exhausted.
I was too embarrassed to admit I was only ten minutes into my run!
The trainer who I am using for 30 minutes a week to make sure I am “chugging” on course, sarcastically asked if I was planning to do a sub four-hour half marathon.(My goal is a sub two-and-a-half). It was his tough love approach to get me more committed to dieting and stretching.
I can certainly put in the kilometres but loathe calorie-counting and the tedium of stetching. Unlike when I was younger cardio alone is not enough.
What can I say, the not-so-flattering comments have sunk in, along with the words of encouragement of course. Adrian the trainer challenged me to “make a choice.”
That was a couple of weeks ago.
I now feel sort of like the eternal quitter sporting a middle-aged paunch, who under goes a fitness reincarnation, in the British romantic comedy “Run Fat Boy Run” played by Simon Pegg. I too have arrived at my turning point. I have sworn off beer and dessert (until after the half marathon). The pounds are finally coming off, and although it bores me to death, I am finally stretching (but only while watching TV)!
This half marathon will NOT be a four-hour “chug!”
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