That's Fit

I'm trying to like running, really I am. Most of the time I do, and always, when I am done with my interval walk / run workout, I'm very glad I did it.

But sometimes, when I just don't feel like moving even an eyelash, let alone my whole body, I look for excuses -- any will do -- to skip my cardio workout.

Well, here's three less excuses I can use when I can't motivate my legs to move the rest of me into fitness. Apparently:

My big excuse for not running as often as I'd like is my schedule. I've started taking care of my daughter in the afternoons, so my work day has been cut in half -- which means picking up the slack at night, on the weekends, and whenever else I can find a moment to get something done. By the time I'm finished -- or, more accurately, I have to stop before my brain implodes -- I feel so exhausted that all I want to do is park in front of the tube and veg.

That's where I was last night -- knowing I had to write this column in the morning, and feeling guilty because someone who writes about jogging should really do it at least sometimes. But in that moment I think I would've rather quit, thrown my computer out the window and sworn off the Internet before I laced up my running shoes. However, I'm a slave to duty, so I picked myself up off the sofa, changed into my one pair of "moisture wicking" shorts, and left.

I figured I'd be on the road about 5 minutes before my legs would buckle, but -- much to my delight -- that's not what happened at all.

In fact, I was a machine. My body was so excited to finally, finally get off it's ass, and my muscles were so sick of feeling tense and under-utilized, that my first 50 yards felt like a pinball machine after you drop the quarters in -- flashing lights, spacey power-up-laser-beam noises and all. In short, instead of dying, I felt pretty good.

I suppose it makes sense. My body, in fact, wasn't tired at all. But my brain -- that crafty brain -- had tricked me into thinking I was too exhausted for exercise, just because it was fed up with constructing sentences and editing for word usage and punctuation. I ran just like I always do -- if not better -- covering the same amount of ground, in the same amount of time, with similar physical repercussions.

I didn't think. I just started moving, and everything turned out fine.

This is total hack science. I actually have no idea if this is really how my brain and body work together. In fact, it seems a little odd -- as surely my brain would want to encourage my body to stay active, as regular exercise is in both of their best interests.

That said, I'll be a little more suspicious of my brain from here on out. And I'll be running more often -- no matter how tired I think I am.

On the rare occasion I have a "night on the town," I'm hesitant beforehand. I don't go out very often, I'm out of practice, and there's about a million other things I should be doing with my time. Plus, in spite of the momentary stress relief that comes from knocking back a few, I'm fairly certain I'll regret it the next morning.

For me, this is a lot like jogging. Last night, I was dreading this column. Not because I have any problem with writing it, but to do so with any self-respect meant I'd have to actually leave the house and go running. I was feeling tired, uninspired, and very comfortable on my sofa -- physical fitness was the last thing on my mind.

But, knowing I'd probably enjoy it, I dragged myself out onto the street. Within minutes, I was starting to feel better -- the stress of working, child rearing, and sooner-than-expected visits by out-of-town relatives just slightly less insistent as I pushed on. And the better I felt, the harder I pushed -- to the point where it almost seemed reckless. I was heading out of control, but before I caved in, there was a moment -- just like that moment when, even though it seems like a bad idea, you decide to have just one more beer -- and I could see my future self struggling for breath after sprinting harder than my lungs could handle.

Nevertheless, my judgment already impaired, I threw caution to the wind, and continued on my brief, ill-advised foray into fitness hedonism.

And man, did it feel good. The worry and concern I'd been shouldering all day faded completely, suddenly unimportant, into the background. Instead I was focused only on experiencing this moment, right now, without a care to tie me down!

Then, of course, I had to stop. I'd over-indulged, got in over my head, and now my body was giving me a firm reprimand for such out-of-control behavior. I had runner's hangover -- painfully short of breath, legs burning in a way I knew would still be there the following morning, and swearing to myself that I would never be that careless again.

Fortunately, however, as with the real thing, my runner's hangover will fade. In fact, I'm sure that in no time at all I'll be back on the street, drowning my sorrows in a midnight jaunt around the neighborhood.

I've recently come to terms with the fact that I look stupid when I run.

This is something I've known for some time. I've always been tall, and lanky, and grew just fast enough that my coordination couldn't quite keep up. In grade school I played soccer, and looked so awkward that I'd occasionally hear opposing coaches mocking me from the sidelines. In high school I played basketball, and tripped on my own feet more often than I was fouled by the opposing team.

But I got older, gained some self-confidence, started to feel good about my new foray into fitness, and forgot that -- at least in motion -- I look like a jack ass.

With that in mind, there's a few points in particular during my nightly (or almost nightly) jogging vigil that I'd like to rectify with reality.

1. The bold beginning. What I think I look like: A man alone with the night. Stoically setting off into the darkness -- with poise, purpose and conviction. Like Ray Liotta emerging from the corn fields as Shoeless Joe in "Field of Dreams." What I actually look like: some unshaven, scrubby-looking dude with a weird, self-important look on his face. If he wasn't wearing yuppie running clothes that were obviously a Christmas gift you might think he was a) one of the students at the nearby college, or b) out to mug one of the students at the nearby college.

2. My first pause for breath. What I think I look like: An athlete. A warrior. A Nike/Gatorade commercial celebrating humanity's relentless drive toward excellence. What I actually look like: Someone who's just been punched in the stomach. Or someone having an asthma attack. Or a college student that's just been mugged for his iPod Nano.

3. The last push/the home stretch. What I think I look like: Pick any Rocky movie, watch the final fight sequence, and you'll know where I'm coming from. I can see myself in slow motion. I can hear the thud of landing punches as my feet smack the pavement. I'm listening to the triumphant music of heavyweight champions as I push on toward my doorstep. What I actually look like: Have you ever seen an old, wooden wheelbarrow -- full of sod, or fertilizer, or whatever -- get away from whoever was pushing it, and rumble completely out of control down a bumpy hill? Can you at least picture that? It pretty much sums it up.

No, I may never look cool while I'm running. But that doesn't mean I can't lie to myself when nobody's watching.

Despite the assortment of physical set backs I had when I first started this jogging gig, things had been looking up. I was running longer, I'd found a rhythm, and I rarely had concerns that the burning in my chest was the precursor to a heart attack. In fact, the most significant hurdle I've been overcoming these days is the motivation to get out there in the first place.

Awesome.

But my last couple times out, I've been cramping, which sucks.

I have a few pet peeves in life. The largest -- and by far the most frustrating -- is when a device that's otherwise working normally develops an asinine little problem that a) you can't fix, and b) renders the device utterly useless. Like when the TV almost works, but it just a bit too fuzzy to make out what's going on. Or when my computer will open some windows, but not others, or slows down such a mind-numbing pace that the repercussions of every click are 5 minutes in duration. Why? Why? WHY?

Or, when my otherwise normal functioning body -- breathing, legs pumping, mind on the prize -- is brought to it's knees by some stupid little pain in my side that just won't go away no matter what I try!

So I turned to my friend, the Internet, in order to end my side stitch, once and for all.

I recognize this is a fairly basic problem, with a number of straightforward solutions. The more fitness-savvy among you might want to skip ahead to the next post, but for anyone who's as clueless as I am, the following seem like viable ways to cure that obnoxious runner's cramp once and for all.

According to About.com, this is why it happens: Now researchers believe that the side stitch is caused by stretching the ligaments that extend from the diaphragm to the internal organs, particularly the liver. The jarring motion of running while breathing in and out stretches these ligaments.

Ok, great. So how do we fix it? According to website called Cramps Help, it's easy: To prevent this from happening, it is advised to take evenly spaced, deep breaths. Shallow breathing means the diaphragm is not given time to lower enough for the ligaments to relax.

For a more thorough explanation, including tips on how to relieve side stitch-related pain, check out this helpful site from Mother Nature.com.

Hopefully this works. I'll let you know next week.

I jog alone. Not in groups, not in pairs, and only barely in public -- running late enough at night that I can avoid the casual pedestrian.

Last night I was reminded why -- as my iPod's batteries ran out, and I was forced to listen to the sounds of my labored breathing and last-push vocalizations (think of the sound Bruce Lee made in his movies, mixed with wheezing). It's one thing to admit that I suck to thousands of strangers, but forcing to own up to that embarrassment in real life, in real time, is more than I can stomach.

Nevertheless, my girlfriend is dying to run with me. She thinks it'd be good togetherness time (which is crazy, because as I described above, I'm too busy concentrating to staying alive to socialize). Every time I say no she gets disappointed and takes the denial as some kind of personal rejection.

Now, before we go any further, I respectfully ask that you keep this quiet. While I'm perfectly comfortable spilling my guys to the Internets, the foibles of my relationship are generally off-limits. However, due to the growing seriousness of this dilemma, I'm breaking our unspoken vow of silence, and airing our dirty laundry for all to see. I need help. I need a solution. I need excuses. Something must be done!

I've explained, on more than one occasion, that it's not her, it's me. It isn't that I have an aversion to jogging with her specifically, it's that I don't want to be around anyone when I'm a sweaty, heaving, mass of bouncing flesh. Obviously this isn't working. I've tried dissuading her on the grounds that, contrary to her belief that it might bring us closer, jogging together will actually drive us apart -- as after experiencing the train wreck that is me mid-exercise she will almost certainly find me less attractive. No, no, no she insists -- "I could never find you less attractive," which is a nice thing to say, but could not possibly be true.

On the other hand, I see couples running together all the time. Friends do it, colleagues do it -- surely at least some of these people are getting something out of it, and haven't all been conned into it to appease their partners. Do you do this? Why? What is that something?

In all honesty, the thought of it just makes me uncomfortable. This running stuff isn't easy for me. I have to push myself -- sometimes really push myself -- and, joking aside, I'm afraid I'd spend the whole jog self-conscious about how weak I looked.

So, dear reader, help a guy out. Am I being unreasonable? Should I cave? Or should I be able to jog alone guilt-free? Any advice on how to navigate this little speed bump du love would be appreciated. Thanks.

I am a stressed out person. Some say workaholic, others just say crazy, but amidst the parenting, working, parenting, working, working, working and working I seem to be doing lately, there's never time for anything else.

Or when there is, I'm so exhausted that I'm having trouble getting out of it what I'd like to.

For instance, this whole jogging business. Let's call a spade a spade: I started running because I was worried I was getting fat, and I thought this might help temper my expanding waistline. Any additional health benefits seemed great, sure, but I was driven by fear. The fact that I actually started to enjoy my nightly fitness vigil was both ancillary and a surprise.

But being busy is such a common complaint that mentioning it is a tired cliche -- it'd be news if somebody wasn't overworked and frazzled all the time.

So maybe problem is that there are other fears that can be far more immediate. Deadlines, forgetting to pack a snack for my daughter after daycare, rent, eating, showering (or, indeed, not showering) -- the list goes on, continuing more or less in that order. When the fears have subsided, when I've made headway on the pile of stuff, when I've finally found a moment to myself with my head clear and my spirits lifted, all I want to do is sit still, and do nothing.

I'm not sure what needs to change. Do I just have crappy time management skills? Plenty of people in the world take on more than this and do just fine. Or am I experiencing an extreme malfunction in the priority department? How old do I have to get (I'm 24) before my perspective starts to change -- just like everyone says it will -- and I start to regret not staying in better shape while I was younger?

In response: this week, a very unpractical experiment. I'll run when it strikes me. Like now, in the middle of writing this post, thinking about how much I wish I'd ran this week so I had something more interesting to write about.

OK, I'm leaving...

(And I'll be back next Tuesday with the results.)

You've met my type before. We're either blissfully laid-back -- the dudes with all the time in the world -- or rushing past you at full speed, cursing like a banshee with tourette's, trying to cram 2 hours of work into 45 minutes. If I'd left myself more time to finish this post, I'd think of a better cliche than "procrastination is middle name." But I didn't.

My problem compounds exponentially on long-term goals. If it takes a whole year to finish something, what's the harm in putting such a gargantuan task on hold for one measly extra day? Or, you know, six months?

So when I learned that I could train for the half marathon I'm scheduled to run next February in only 16 weeks, it was like I'd been given a form of slacker-friendly crack. Theoretically, I could sit on my expanding backside for the next 6 months -- at least -- eating frozen pizzas and watching sports on TV (so I could feel active by osmosis). As long as I kick things into gear by August I'd have time to spare. Right? Right?

I'm only half joking.

The half marathon was supposed to be ultimate motivator -- as completing a run of such an enormous distance seemed downright absurd. And it will motivate me -- 6 months from now. If I hadn't put off looking at the training schedule I would've known this sooner, but, alas, here we are, sans the urgency and/or sense of impending doom I was looking for.

The question is: where to go from here? Do I scrap this column, or change it's name to "Sitting On One's Ass For Normal People," and release my fitness desires into the eternal ebb and flow (just until August)?

I vote not. But I'm busy, and it's cold, and I'm tired, and I haven't eaten yet, and I'm not feeling well, and I have to get up early tomorrow, and...

Help me, Internets! I clearly need a kick in the ass.

I run alone. On purpose. Not only do I avoid actually running in the company of others, I'm generally on the streets after 11pm, when all is quiet, and I can huff and puff under the cover of darkness.

But I've recently -- stupidly -- agreed to run a half marathon in February 2008, and in the wake of this ill-advised decision, a few more experienced runners have suggested joining a group. Here's a list of reasons I think this may be a bad idea:

1. Exposing my physical discomfort to others would be embarrassing
2. Everyone would be better than me, which would also be embarrassing
3. I can't breathe well enough to talk while I run
4. I don't run fast enough to justify not talking, and I'm worried that everyone will subsequently think I'm a jerk
5. A dozen or so real people that I'll see frequently, face-to-face, will know that I've agreed to run an absurdly long distance and won't let me back out even if I have a really clever, well-articulated excuse.

On the other hand, I was told I could go from zero to marathon in "six months," just by riding on the motivational waves of an organization of like-minded fitness enthusiasts. I'm a person who likes a quick fix, so the fact that I could achieve such greatness without actually having to motivate myself is enticing.

So then there's the question: if I were to make myself part of a jogging team, how would I pick the right one? Because I was serious about reasons 2, 3, and 4. If these people are all ex-Olympians, I'll last about 15 minutes before I'll be forced to make up an excuse about a recent, mysterious injury and/or food allergy that I won't be able to explain, just before I sneak off to my car and drive away -- never to be heard from again.

I'll be starting here, at Meetup.com. There's a section just for people who are looking for running partners -- at various skill levels -- and you can search for your area by zip code. If you can't find anyone who seems like the right fit, you can always create a post yourself. I'll also post on Craigslist, under the Community Activities section. If you live anywhere near a place that even resembles an urban center, you probably have a corresponding site on Craigslist, and a community of people that use it.

What about you? Do you run in a group? Have you found it useful?

I want to say it's not my fault -- excuse my weakness and bemoan the oh-so-demanding trials of the nigh-on-unbearable workload that has, of late, permeated all facets of my existence. Woe is me, life is hard, yadda yadda.

But the truth is much simpler. I have strayed.

Since we last met, I have run but once. Last night. The time in between I spent convincing myself that I was too tired, overworked by exceptional circumstances, and justified in putting it off -- taking a little break. I kept thinking of this respite like it was some kind of reward, because I had "worked so hard," which is really to say that I'd managed to run 3-4 times a week for 3 months -- not actually much work at all.

I am not proud.

Plus, I think I'm a little bit fatter.

Not only had I succumb to sloth, but my indulgent, gluttonous betrayal of both myself and my sport was mired in hamburgers, and awash in beer, beer and beer. 'Twas the Super Bowl. And I celebrated. And I feasted. A lot.

Needless to say, when I laced up my running shoes last night, and fumbled for the right track on my iPod, it was a little awkward. We were like scorned lovers, fumbling and self-conscious in formerly familiar patterns, trying to set things right. And it's not like we had a stellar relationship in the first place.

But when my feet hit the ground, it was awesome. It felt good to be in motion again. So good, in fact, that I was just about spent after I'd run to the end of my road. It took some considerable willpower not to cash in, catch my breath, and walk. I managed to keep pace with where I was at last week, but I'd nearly coughed up a lung by the time I made it home -- all the while cursing myself for taking the time off.

So, runners of the Internet. Learn from this. Don't be a wuss. Remember, running is fun, but if you don't do it regularly, it'll suck. And you'll get fat.

This week I'm starting to train for my half marathon in February '08. Pray for me.

I have recently agreed to run 13 miles. That's 11 miles further than I've run in the last 3 months, and 8 miles further than I've ever run in my life. This may be a problem.

I'm a novice -- barely more than an interested third party when it comes to jogging, but I have an uncle who, over the course of many years, has become a masochist marathon enthusiast. He has running buddies, he trains, he's into it. So, when he asked me if I'd be up for one of these events in '08, I honestly thought he might be joking.

Me, committed to running? For miles? All at once?

Sure, there's all sorts of events -- a 10K, a 10 miler, even a 50 yard non-competitive race for children 10 years and older. But here's the rub: I'm about 20 years younger than my uncle. I'm certain that he's capable of running the entire marathon -- every last one of those 26 grueling miles -- and surely, if he can do it, so can I -- right? Right?

Riding on this wave of immature motivation, I boasted: "I bet I could do the half marathon," which was and is a total lie. I don't think I can do the half marathon at all. Nevertheless, backing out now would be worse than if I had chickened out in the first place. Because now, it is a competition. It is an issue of pride. My manhood is at stake.

It took about 5 seconds of bumming around the Internet to realize that, in light of my ill-advised, arrogant assertion, I'll need to start training now, if I don't want to look like an ass on race day next February. For those of you who'd like to take the challenge with me, here's a few helpful articles I stumbled upon.

Preparing For Your First Marathon
Half-Marathon Workouts
Hal Higdon's Marathon Training Guide (for novices)

Experienced or not, will any of you be running in Austin for '08? I'd love to hear about it.

I am not a dancer. I studied acting in college, so they made me take a bunch of dance classes -- during which I was generally relegated to the back, flailing and stumbling like I was being chased by invisible bees. Needless to say, I'm cautious on the dance floor -- bobbing my head and swaying side to side, remembering not to bite my lower lip when I really get into it.

But for whatever reason, when I'm jogging, I'm a dancing fool.

Every night I head out, iPod chalk full of tunes for club-tastic candy ravers, and all starts out normal. While the running is coming much easier now than it was when I started, after about 10 minutes my body begins to implode. My chest gets tight, my legs start talking -- my brain stops pondering the nature of things and goes into survival mode. It's here that I used to quit.

Now, however, instead of caving in, I gut it out, I dig deep, I reach for that little something extra and out come the twinkle toes -- a little spin move, some fist pumping, a shoulder shake. I'm working it.

I have no idea why this happens. Maybe I just can't resist the thump-thump-thump of that techno beat. Maybe I'm overcome with joy 'cause my heart hasn't exploded. Maybe I'm doomed to embarrass myself in public.

Whatever the reason, the dancing actually seems to work. I can run further after a little booty shakin' than I would've been able to otherwise. No lies. And while the thought of someone actually witnessing this impromptu rug cutting literally sends shivers down my spine, I'm starting to rely on it. I need it to keep moving. My run is not complete without a quick time out for toe tapping.

So try it. What the hell, right? Next time you're struggling through that last 1/4 mile, do a little dance, and let me know how it goes. Warning: it may be addictive.

I was scared when I moved to Texas. I'm from Ohio, and Northerners -- at least all the Northerners I know -- think of the Lonestar state as a place filled with gun totin', horse ridin', split slingin' cowboys with half a mind to shoot Yankees on sight. But, much to my surprise, Texas is way better than Ohio -- not least of all because on a good day it'll hit 80 degrees in January (plus, it's not actually filled with cowboys after all).

Today, however, is not a good day. As a matter of fact, with the wind chill factored in, it was 22 degrees when I left the house to go running. And yes, I know, it gets colder up North -- I remember days in Cleveland when my spit froze upon contact with the sidewalk -- but these are different times. My blood has thinned. I am typing this post with numb hands.

Oddly enough, and complaining aside, I think the arctic chill actually improved my jogging. No lies. It's like the frigid air switched on some long-dormant survival instinct deep within the most forgotten recesses of my nervous system -- a fight or flight reaction to the disgustingly low temperatures that said: "body, get thy ass in gear or you'll be up the creek without an icepick."

So I did. I got my ass in gear. I ran further, faster and longer through this freezing January morning than I've ever run before. I pushed, I got tired, and then -- as if touched by the hand of some magical respiratory god -- my breath came back mid-stride, allowing me to grin my way into another mile.

Pigs can fly. It's a cold day in Texas. Huzzah.

My hands, however, still hurt, and none of this triumphant self-congratulation can change the fact that it's colder than a witch's naughty bits outside. So next time, I'll be prepared. Check out this post for great tips on how to stay warm, and, if nothing else, remember the following: 1) dress in layers, 2) always wear hat and gloves, 3) make your inner layer a garment that will wick away perspiration, and 4) watch out for ice.

It may be a cold, but we can do it. Winter cannot defeat the jogger!

Every now and again I'm reminded of the jock I used to be. The high-strung, ultra-competitive teenager who – like I did while I watched my Ohio State Buckeyes get their asses kicked last night – would flip out when games didn't go his way, berating the television with obscenity and incredulity. The three sport athlete who -- like I have, as result of my recently formed jogging habit – would develop a rather uncomfortable and decidedly awkward condition that's normally only spoken about behind closed locker room doors.

It's a condition – we'll call it a rash – that wouldn't be so bad if it didn't inhabit an especially delicate region of the body. Because when it itches, it begs you to scratch with such unholy insistence that you feel like poor Dominic from The Exorcist, resisting with all you've got so as not to embarrass yourself at work, or at the grocery store, or in traffic, or wherever, because – while you could try and explain it – it's just not ok to put your hand on, or around your area in public. Instead, you become Captain Nonchalant, casually shifting your weight, crossing your legs one way, and then the other, hoping the friction from your jeans will give you some relief while you continue to conceal your raging case of jock rot.

Also known as jock itch, crotch rot, or – most unfortunately – crack fungus, this is something I will undoubtedly regret sharing with the internet. Nevertheless, here we are.

Fortunately for me, and all the other crack fungus sufferers out there, we need not writhe in pain indefinitely. Our unfortunate condition is easily treated with anti-fungal drugs, applied topically to all your affected bits and pieces. If you've had this problem for awhile, and have yet to do anything about it, the inflammation is actually making it easier for the condition to persist, so scale back that bad boy with anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen. Also, try to shower as soon as possible after exercising, wash your clothes between workouts, and resist the temptation to use scented soaps, wear synthetic clothing, or shave your hair down there.

And finally, if all else fails, see your doctor.

At first I thought it was a mistake to include friends, family and thousands of strangers in the stumbling beginnings of my quest towards the new, less-fat me. It means I'm almost constantly admitting that I suck at this -- explaining, in depth, the ways in which I've tried and failed to overcome the physical lethargy that's dominated the past 3 years of my life.

But then Christmas came along, and I got a bunch of cool stuff. Things are looking up.

My family tends to settle on gift-giving themes every year. One year it's "off to college," when Santa brings your first cooking utensils and plastic dorm room accessories; the next it's "expectant parent," when you get "how-to" guides for the novice care-giver, adorable onesies and dude-friendly diaper bags. This year, Mr. Kringle provided me with some awesome tools to further my new-found fitness hobby.

Enter iPod Nano, and accompanying runner's armband from Nike. These are, by far, the coolest runner's gadgets imaginable. Even better, is that mine came pre-loaded with a bunch of music my brother uses to work out -- stuff I would never, ever have chosen myself.

I switched on my new toy as I plodded out the front door, and was immediately blasted with the angry rants of Rage Against the Machine. Within minutes, I was pumped up, rocking out, and kicking that sidewalk's sorry ass! When the singer's last scream fell silent, I was already losing my breath -- but as I slowed to compensate I got serenaded by the most club-tastic dance tunes I've heard since I tended bar in college. The thumping base pratically lifted my feet off the pavement, and I think I spent the next half mile with a smile on my face -- bouncing down the road like some candy-raver at an all night party.

As a side note, a gift I didn't get, but discovered while I was browsing around the internet, is the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. The device allows you insert a chip into your Nike shoes, which communicates with another chip in your iPod -- recording time and distance, and, in turn, playing the tracks you've pre-selected for certain parts of your workout. As in, when you hit mile five and have to dig deep for that extra something, the chip will tell your iPod to play your power track, cranking up the Rocky theme song (or whatever), as you pound through the pain down the final stretch. Awesome!

Attention runners of the world: crank up the jams. Running in silence sucks.