I'm fascinated by the way that we continually redefine things as a result of our own experience. Specifically for now, let's look at my understanding of what it means to be fit.
About two years ago, I decided I really needed to do something about being so unfit. I took no exercise and spent both work and leisure time sat in front of a computer or a TV. So I started to do a little walking with the goal of getting to/from work without being exhausted. A few months later, I had that sorted.
So was I now fit? Nope. I was less unfit. And I turned my attention to the joggers I would see as I walked past the park every day. I joined their ranks with the goal of being able to jog for an hour without stopping. Again, a few months pass and the attempt is a success on New Year's Eve 2010 as it happened.
So now was I fit? Nope. But I was, once again, a bit less unfit than before. Now I really reached for a goal and decided to try to complete a Marathon but as a sub-goal entered a half-marathon three months later which I completed. Just.
Still not fit. So as per the plan, I got a place on a Marathon in September. And to date I've done three marathons with a fourth making up part of my training plans for an 80k. And still, I don't think of myself as being fit. Just not as unfit as I was.
If you'd asked me two years ago whether I thought someone who could finish a marathon was fit, I'd have offered up a bemused "Yes" in reply. But in the meanwhile, I've been spending time around people in massively better condition than I am. People I do regard as being fit.
Um, rambling now. So, I guess, in conclusion I may never get to a point where I think I'm actually fit but I'm certainly making progress in that direction.
Will I ever get there? Probably not.
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