Running Will Never Be The Same

   They say that in order to find out if something is right, you need to try it a few times. The first time it may be a fluke. The second time it could be better, possibly worse. After those two times with the same results, you have a pattern forming, so stick with it. That's what I learned this morning - running partners are a God send! We ran ten miles today and for the last quarter mile, Sarah and I were joking (except I was was bordering on being serious) about doing another eight miles and getting my long run done early this week because we both felt so good. It really was that nice!
   Of course, the weather definitely helped. It was warm enough outside so that getting started was easy, but it was not so hot that you felt like you were going to be considered well done when you finish. We started our run later than we originally planned, but thankfully Sarah was patient while we discovered a new route. The course that I had found was slightly inaccurate to say the least. It was from a great website, but they frequently send you on a course that is impossible (i.e they send you on a route that actually goes through a body of water or on a street that doesn't exist!) We drove the course beforehand to put out water and get an idea of where we would go and, sure enough, the first turn wound around into a dead end, the next street we were supposed to take didn't exist (or there was no sign so we could find it), and later in the run you crossed a vast span of nothing. I have no idea where. No road, no path, no sign. Much of it was along a main road too, instead of taking a nice well laid out footpath designed for just this. So we decided to rewrite it.
   Another great thing about training with someone else is that you can learn something new from them. Everyone has a different style of eating, hydrating, recovering. You try new things and see what works. It was funny when I realized that Sarah knew exactly what I meant on my Facebook post a while ago when I said "Hydrating on a boat has its setbacks." Not everyone can relate to that, it's a tough thing to hydrate all day if you don't have anywhere to nip off to. The things you learn.
   It was also great to talk with someone who shares a passion for feeling good. We had a good discussion about how simple it is to make small changes in diet and also about the use of the word diet. Most people read or hear that word and clam up immediately, full of thoughts about Jenny Craig. But that's not what we were talking about. Your diet is your food intake. Good or bad, a lot or a little. Exercise is another change that is so simple, but is such a huge hurdle to get over initially. Something I really want to point out is that I am using the word simple, not easy. I will never tell anyone, nor will I ever believe, that it is easy to eat healthy or exercise right or even just exercise a little. Few things are easy. But the process, what needs to happen, is simple. Doing things to try to prevent yourself from getting Diabetes is simple. Walk an hour each day. Start by committing to one day a week. Next week, do two days. Try that for a few weeks. Then move up to three. Do it on your lunch or after dinner with the whole family. Or split up the walk!  Do half an hour before work and half an hour on your lunch break. Change out some pasta or rice with some "steam it in the bag" veggies. They are cheap! I know, I just bough 5 bags because they are so cheap. It is a challenge every day. For me, training is a challenge and I love to do it! But I have a goal in mind. To live long and worry free. To not be dependent or get to a point when it isn't simple any more. I have promised it before, and I will again, you WILL feel better for it. The high that comes from that walk, run, bike ride... Scientifically they say you release endorphins. Mentally you KNOW you controlled your own destiny. Try it. Prove me wrong.