Sweaty Five-Oh: A Running Milestone

As I climbed the first hill on my morning run, Running Toga flapping in the wind behind me, I realized that today was Day 50 of my running program.

That’s quite the achievement for a self-proclaimed hater of running, wouldn’t you agree, Modern Philosophers?

I’ve run 36 of those 50 days, which is a whopping 72%.

Considering that I had been struggling to run one or two days a week, getting my once lazy butt out there better than seven out of every ten days seems like a minor miracle.

I Skyped my buddy Pope Francis to see if he’d officially declare it a miracle, and he told me to get back to him when I got the number up to 80%.

Just one more goal to keep me motivated…

This was the first time over the last 50 days that I’ve run four days in a row, but it didn’t seem to bother me.  There was a light mist falling, which certainly helped me stay cool, and I just put it in cruise control.

It is definitely a good feeling to know that I can run on four consecutive days, that my body has a cruise control, and that I’m already thinking about getting back out on the road tomorrow.

I’m certainly motivated by the idea of improving my health.  My annual physical is on Monday, so that has been in the back of my mind over the past 50 days.

I want to be in good shape so that Dr. S slaps a new inspection sticker on me, and tells me I’m safe to be out on the road for another year.

I’m also well aware of how all this running is boosting my self-confidence.  I feel better about myself, I look better, my clothes fit better, and there’s a cockiness that goes along with knowing that I’m out there kicking ass.

One of the things that I know has been hurting me in the dating department is that I haven’t felt good about myself, and that has to be affecting the way I act on a date.  I mean, my charm and sense of humor can only go so far in impressing the ladies…

I probably shouldn’t let being out of shape make me feel less confident, but how could I not?  Dating really hinges on the idea of people being attracted to each other.  Who’s going to love a fat guy in a toga?  I mean really!

Let me share a photo that really got me to understand that I needed to get back into shape.

That’s me with Danny, in front of a live studio audience at The Nite Show, acting in a sketch that was then broadcast to dozens (just joking, Danny!) of TVs across Maine.

Aside from the crazy eyes, my head just looks too tiny because my torso is so large.  Not good for the self-confidence.

Here’s a photo of me from after yesterday’s run…

No crazy eyes.  Head seems proportionate to the torso.  Life is good.

So in the end, I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m on vacation and having a good time.  I’m kicking ass in the running department, and self-confidence levels are reaching the highest levels they’ve been in ages.

I’m glad that I’ve stuck with this program, and I hope I can get in another 50 days before the snow arrives!

What about you, Modern Philosophers?  Have you hit any fitness milestones lately?  Does your self-confidence soar when you are more active?