Happy Ash Wednesday! Hope everyone is recovering well from Mardi Gras last night.
I guess I need to start this out by getting the horrible part out there first. . . I have to admit that I was not the sharpest tool in the shed. True. I know its hard to imagine. Its even harder to admit. But my goodness, what a difference water makes! Sounds like a silly thing. Most people are saying to themselves right now, Duh! Of course. But it's funny how easily I forgot how much taking water on my run helps. I did my 6 Miles at the bay today and like a good boy stopped every two miles at a water fountain for a short sip of the nectar of life. Truly amazing how much better the second half of the run felt. Simple things that slip the mind.
Now on to today's topic. . . Lent.
Funny thing Lent. Such an amazing concept, practiced by so many. . . yet so understated. For the majority of my adult life I have enjoyed celebrating Lent. No, I'm not Catholic, and yes, I said enjoyed. Talking to my wife about it a few weeks ago, I asked her if she was going to give something up. She said no, she wasn't Catholic. My response was, "It's a great way to better yourself though, right? Good excuse to make the change." She came back with, "Why don't you do it anyway?" Oooh. Sharp. Good point. Why don't I? I guess because if I could, I would be perfect. I would be free of vices and have nothing to improve. Now as close as I am to that anyway. . .ha ha. . . I need motivation. I need a reason.
So as if running 26.2 miles wasn't enough of a reason to get myself eating better, I'm using lent to do it. Starting today I am giving up eating out. That means no fast food. No restaurants. No going to the bar for drinks. No going out for doughnuts on Sunday morning. Basically, if I can't buy it at the store and prepare it at my house, its not in the picture. Should save some good money, as well as get me in a good habit of thinking forward about our menu for the week, what I'm going to take for lunch, and being conscious about what I'm eating.
The other thing I am doing is a little backwards from the tradition of giving something up. I'm committing to doing something. . . THIS! Writing this blog about the journey of this marathon training, and my trek to raising $5,000 for diabetes research. I'll be the first to admit, I have not been good about staying on top of writing. To be honest, I don't know how people do it. But I am going to find out! The marathon is right around the corner so I'd better get cracking.
I encourage you to think about this. What can you give up? Been drinking extra coffee lately? Maybe cut it. Candy-aholic? Adios sweeties. Or perhaps commit TO doing something. Been wanting to start going back to the gym? Been feeling like you don't do something enough? 40 days isn't as long as it seems, but its just enough time to form a habit!
Happy Lenting!
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Uhoh, maybe I shouldn't have had that paczki at work today, huh? Very inspiring post, Nick (and a very inspiring goal and cause)!
ReplyDeleteAmen; I, too, believe in using this time of year to refocus on the blessings we've been given and give up one or two... just to remind myself of the sacrifice that was made for each of us. Inspiring to read about your progress!
ReplyDeleteHi Nick. My vice is soda. So every year for the past few years I give up soda for a few months at a time and make sure I drink my required amount of water every day. I also like to cut soda out before a big race. I did it before my first half marathon two years ago and I'm doing it now as I prepare for my first full in April. So I am now five weeks into a hundred days with no soda. And I have to say it always feels so great to get the soda cleaned out of my body. I look forward to going on a run with you soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the responses. It is great to hear from everyone. Helps me keep on it.
ReplyDeleteWow, 5 weeks in?! Thats amazing. Takes a lot of dicipline. Soda is so tough especially because it is always there.