We don’t have to enjoy everything we do. Dare I say the majority of life wouldn’t be classified as “fun”. Nor should it.
We don’t grow in the good times, we grow in the hard times. Growth is hard and uncomfortable. It’s good to start recognizing when you’re in a period of growth. When you realize you are it will give you an edge to fight a little harder. A little longer.
I’m in decent cardiovascular shape from all the heavy squatting and deadlifting I do year after year, mixed with constantly climbing mountains here in the Adirondacks. So you might think running is part of my world to stay in “hiking shape”. Nope. Running sucks. It’s boring to me. I hate it.
Back in January 2022 I decided to start throwing something new into the mix with my training because I wanted my body to FEEL better. To MOVE better. All my powerlifting training for the last decade certainly has taken a toll on the body the way any physical activity does.
So I added light runs into the mix. Not for “cardio” or to “burn calories” but just to make my body function better and feel less like the Tinman.
It started with a timer. Run for 10 minutes without stopping. No distance or speed tracking. Simply a timer. It was more mentally difficult than physical because again, I find it boring as hell. I’m also always running outside because I’m not a hamster. Any time I can be outdoors, I will be.
I committed to one day of running a week, again, just to add it into the mix to help my body feel better and help with my training recovery. Over time it increases to 15 minutes…17 minutes…25 minutes. Then one day I tracked my distance. 3.5 miles.
What the hell?
I’ve never run 3 miles without stopping in my life. And the only reason I stopped was because I decided “ok, I’m done”.
Moral of the story is when we do things we don’t like or don’t “enjoy” but we know they will make us BETTER if we quit being a little b*tch and just do them, good things happen.
It doesn’t always take very long to see those good things start happening either.
About the Author:
James Appleton is a founder and co-owner of Absolute Aid. When he's not running a company or writing content, he is usually somewhere in the great outdoors, climbing mountains, deadlifting, or spending time with his wife and daughters. James is passionate about helping others to become the only source of motivation and inspiration they need to accomplish the goals they seek. He fully embodies the essence of Seek To Do More day in and day out.
Want more? Follow us on Instagram! @absoluteaid