Just got in from a great run. It is early evening, early September. A light wind is blowing, the sky turning a pale crimson orange in the west, the North Shore Mountains are tinted with a warm orange tone from the setting sun. While I navigated the quiet tree-lined East Vancouver streets the smells of a few BBQs caught my attention. Was that steak? Think so. Burgers a block later. My stomach then reminded me that I was indeed ready for a meal. A beautiful end to an enjoyable summer's day. The last several days have been fantastic. Lots of sun and warmth after a summer that was looking like it was going to give this year a pass. Certainly better late than never. However, I can't help but feel a tinge of melancholy as I have thoughts of the approaching fall and winter just around the corner...>>sigh<<
Yes, my run was great. A few days ago was my first run in... jeeesh... half a year? A little bit pathetic. I don't really know what comes over me that puts me through these extended exercise hiatuses (hiatii?). This is a pattern for me that has been around for as long as I can recall. I have a runner's build (long-legged, slim-ish) and in the recent past have not really had that much difficulty getting up to a 10K run after just a few times out. However, as I get a bit older (working on my 45th year now...whoa!) I notice that the effort to get to that level is just a bit more than I remember. My weight is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago but I often feel much heavier as I clomp along the road/path/track, and breathe just a little harder. Is it possible that I am not immortal after all? Doh, bummer! I think it is time for me to really start focusing much more on my health than I ever have before. I have had the luxury of having a body type that really hasn't been too picky about what I put in it and in what quantities. However, I'm sure that those days are numbered. And besides, something internal to me is just chirping up a little louder than I ever recall hearing it, saying, "Dude, you're getting older and your free pass is coming to an end. Time to work a little bit if you want to keep enjoying your life for the long haul". I am starting to listen.
Teresa's focus on the primal diet has been quite enlightening for me. Mark Sisson has written an excellent book on it and writes about it daily on his blog. I don't fully comprehend the dietary science behind it yet, but there is apparently some value to a food regime that consists mainly of grass-fed pasture raised meats, fish, vegetables, fruit, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. While it does limit one's choices for a meal, Teresa is able to produce delicious dishes without too much head scratching. Better living requires better eating, and that is something I think I need to spend more effort on.
On the exercise front, I am close to joining the local Crossfit gym, a strength and physical conditioning workout regime. Teresa has been a practitioner for the last 3 years and it has changed her life. She is stronger and has more energy than she ever had before. Personally, I see it as an opportunity to maintain consistency in my exercise frequency, hopefully helping me put to an end the "6-month workout break" trend of the past 20 years. These cross-fitters seem to develop a strong bond with each other that helps to inspire and encourage. I am hopeful that such a camaraderie-in-the-trenches environment will keep me on the fitness track.
I feel very fortunate about my health. But like all things in this world, you can't dodge entropy.
I'm going to do my best to slow it down by caring for myself more so than I ever have before. Here hoping I can stick to it! Kind of foolish not to...
Cheers,
Marcus
P.S. I came across this video yesterday. Has nothing to do with anything in this blog post, but I like it. Hopefully you will, too.
Love Tap from Mike Goode on Vimeo.
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