Prodded into action by Bill Bryson

[HeavyFoot]

This morning my Motivation Fairy was having a lie in. And the Excuse Fairy had prepared a list of reasons not to go running:1) I’m at the wheezy, snotty end of a cold 2) I’m still creaky after a lot of driving last weekend 3) it’s about to rain again.

I settled down with a cup of tea and Bill Bryson’s “The Body” and read the chapter On The Move: Exercise and Bipedalism.

One thing our African ancestors could do was run long distances after food, even if we were totally outpaced by predators and prey over short distances.

And sitting around in the modern age is a very dangerous game.

So, running gear on and out for my 4km consolidation run. I can’t pretend it wasn’t difficult. Pace, cadence and step length were all sub average but I’m glad I did it because one day I won’t be able to 🤔

Thank you, Bill.

[Me_time Graduate10]

Good on you! My excuse fairy has a million excuses too but so far I have managed to lace up because I know if I miss it one day, I will make an excuse for the next one too!Lets see how strong I can stay when winter arrives 🤣

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

Winter!! I thought we’d seen the back of it. Now I realise you’re on the other side of the world!

[Me_time Graduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot]

Hahaha yes, its Autumn here at the mo.

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10]

No such thing as a bad run! 👍(I've been having to tell myself this a lot, lately. 🤣).

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Great post! I’m a big advocate of “move it or lose it” especially as we get older. I know on the days when I can’t move (eg a long car journey) my body really suffers the next day.

[Niteflite Graduate10]

Thank you for that motivational post! I got a bit of backache due to sitting on the sofa for too long so I thought I’d go for a slow run this afternoon. Now I’m definitely going to!

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to Niteflite]

Glad to have been of service! Good luck 🍀

[nowster Graduate10]

If you read Born To Run it mentions in one of its many asides that these hunt runs were more like long jogs. The crucial thing was that humans with their upright stance could cool themselves by sweating, but the animals they were chasing could not. By never letting them have any break to cool off, the prey would eventually keel over due to overheating.

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I’ll definitely read that. Thank you.

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

That book sounds very interesting, I might look it up 👍 well done on that 4k 👏👏👏👏 hope you feel better soon!

[SkiMonday Graduate10]

Well done Bill (and HeavyFoot).

I’ve seen numerous articles about the need to keep moving.

I’m also aware that sitting around for long periods is unhealthy (even for those of us who run regularly). That’s why I use the feature on my Garmin that prompts me to move if I’ve been inactive for too long.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

My motivation fairy was up and helping me pull clothes on nice and early then the doctor (he’s a consultant but a Mr phoning doesn’t sound right) phoned and she snuck back to bed, I gave her a prod and my boss phoned, at that point she stuck her middle finger up at me and snuggled under the duvet. So we’ll done you for getting out, I better read that book too

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

You had much better excuses than I did!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You’re right HeavyFoot, use it or lose it!

[swim63]

I love your last line, glad I did it because one day I won’t be able to. This is so true for all of us, made me feel quite emotional. Running is hard, motivation even harder, but we are so lucky that we still can! Thank you for your post 👍😊

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to swim63]

Thank you. I think often of my late dad while I’m out. In his 70’s he was undertaking long hilly walks. In his 80’s he was barely able to the simple exercises his physio was showing him.

So we have to savour every walk and run that we do.