Runners World

Throughout my entire adult life, I have been trying to become a runner. I thought that the only way that I would get into shape and shed a few LBs would be to become a runner – like everyone else – and get skinny – like everyone else. To quote David, “I’ve never known a runner who isn’t skinny”. So, off I went – buying athletic gear that made me look like a runner, buying books that made me think like a runner, and even signing up for a 5k or two.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), running never stuck. The closest I got to being a runner was when I became a walker. For about 6 months, I walked strolled around my historic neighborhood every evening, admiring the cute little bungalows and waving to my neighbors. I loved it. But I never loved running. I never have. And I’ve finally admitted to myself that I never will love running. Ever. This might sound like a very mundane realization, but it was monumental for me. I finally dropped the act of trying to be someone I’m not (a runner) and I stopped trying to love something that I don’t (running) all for the sake of looking a way I never will (skinny).

So, I took up Crossfit instead.

I know: fad exercise… just like TaiBo, just like Zumba, just like P90x. But the difference is that I like it. Unlike running, Crossfit allows me to complete different exercises according to my skill level with a group of people my age. Crossfit allows me to feel better about my health and my coordination… and my ability to jump on boxes and flip tractor tires. Crossfit allows me to finally enjoy exercising.

So what I’ve learned in my exercise journey is that you can’t be someone you’re not, you can’t love something you don’t. And when you decide to do the thing that scares you a little but that you love, something good happens. That’s not scientific or anything, but I’m pretty sure it’s true.