Getting Healthy from Fingers to Toe

When it came time for Physical Fitness Testing each year in high school P.E., there were always a couple of sub-tests I didn't particularly look forward to completing. One was the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation portion. I'll never forget my senior year when the gym teacher came at the back of one of my inexplicably muscly calves. He took one look at the incredibly low fat percentage reading, one look at the rest of my quite large 5 foot 8, 220 lbs frame, and quickly went in search of the more technologically advanced and accurate BMI measuring tool.

The other much-dreaded physical challenge to which I was subjected was the Sit-and-Reach flexibility test. Years of obligatory warm ups in gym class and organized sports had proved me unable to merely touch my shoe laces when performing the typical sit-and-stretch routine. Sticking a 2 foot long box on the END of my feet to measure how much further PAST my feet I could reach was a laughable endeavor.

Despite these areas of deficit, I've always been a pretty in-shape, athletic person. When I had personal trainer sessions in college, Stacy (the trainer) was quite impressed with my capabilities from the very start. Surprisingly, it wasn't my then 5 foot 8, 230 lbs. frame that got her on my case about physical fitness. It was when she tried flexing my leg up as far as she could and I cried mercy rather quickly that she harped about my lack of flexibility.

As previously mentioned, I've never been one to find value in taking the time to stop and stretch when I could be on the go and burning cals. But, I'm well aware of the benefits: reduced likelihood of injury, increased blood flow, and muscle resiliency, among other things. It hasn't been until recently--after ending several mile runs feeling like my legs and back are filled with rocks--that it's really become a necessity in my mind. So, I've stretched, gosh darn it! Good, decent 5 minute rounds of it. And it's felt great.

Yesterday the unexpected pay off came after my longest run to date--7.5 miles. Already feeling pretty great as I got off the track and headed for the equipment room, I had no agenda in mind when I sat down to do the old sit-and-stretch. But as I went through the routine, I paused momentarily at the realization my fingers were touching my toes and my leg was fully extended. My heart did a leap of joy at my newly found talent. I quickly switched to my other leg and found the same success. Pulling my legs together I performed the sit and reach and actually reached my fingers PAST my toes! For good measure, I stood up and successfully performed the best toe touch (the stretch, not the cheerleader move) of my life.

Of all the accomplishments I anticipated in this training regimen, I never expected one of the greatest victories early on would be reaching--literally--farther than I've ever been able to before.

Bring it on Physical Fitness Test! I just may be able to pass you this time!

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Psalms 119:143
(NLT)

Treadmill, I hate thee

Week 8-ish of my new running lifestyle and lease on life...

The honeymoon is definitely over. I remember the first weeks when I was running 5, 6, 7 miles a few times a week and feeling like I would be able to take on a triple marathon by March. But, the dozens of logged miles have started to take their toll on these old bones.

The starts of my runs have definitely become more labored and can be likened to the first few cranks of a rusty wheel before things start going smoothly. The bum knee is finally starting to fire up on me, as are the metatarsals in left foot. I have a feeling I may be making a return visit to Mr. Magic at the Runner's Edge to load up on some knee braces and foot pads.

Running upwards of 75 laps around the same track multiple times a week has started to get a little old, I have to say. I thought I would change things up a little this week and try the treadmill. I used to run on the 'mill all the time, but haven't in many months.

Yesterday, I remembered why. If you want the most monotonous, painfully boring experience of your life, run for 45 minutes in place staring at a wall while the red digits in "Distance" climb at an impossibly slow pace killing any notion that you've been running under 10 minute miles. Not even the latest episode of "One Tree Hill" on mute on the T.V. could distract me from checking on my progress every 10 seconds.

While the surface was a little more kind on my joints, I wasn't used to being subjected to a constant speed and I found myself working much harder than usual just to hit my 4 mile goal for the night. By the end, legs screaming, and the front of my shirt so soaked in so much sweat I might as well have been a 400 lbs. man, I wasn't so sure about managing another NINE miles of this...

I'm looking forward to warmer evenings with more light so I can start treading the pavement a bit more. That's going to be its own beast since asphalt is known to be about the WORST surface for your joints, but at least there'll be more to look at to help combat the mental race.

Just no more treadmills, please.

Colossians 1:11: May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy...