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Saturday, October 3, 2009

100th post: Strength.

There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be. -George Sheehan


This school year has been a difficult one, for various reasons, and I have found solace in an activity I used to dread every day during the fall season in high school at the ringing of the final bell: running. I joined cross country because Nicole did it, liked it, and dragged me along. I still remember the numbing pain I felt after my very first practice, which rendered me unable to climb a flight of stairs without wincing at every step. Out of shape? To say the least. My dad recently started getting back into top form for his Mt. Whitney climb this summer, and suggested that he, Nicole and I do the 5 mile "fun runs" at Yokuts each month. Thus, I altered my workouts, foregoing the cardio I used to get on the exercise bike and elliptical for lacing up the New Balances and hitting the pavement outside.

I have been blessed with a crap metabolism and know that I am doomed to a lifetime of workouts and calorie-counting. With this in mind, I have busted my butt too many hours to count with various workout tapes (old school Jane Fonda, anyone?), moves from websites, and at various gyms around town. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, though, can compare to the feeling I get when running outside. The beauty of running is that it can be done anytime, anywhere. No one needs a membership or special coordination to do it. Just go. There are times when I blast the music (Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" is my favorite-what music motivates you?) and moments, usually at night, when the quiet surrounds me and allows my mind to clear of all the confusion.

I used to laugh when people would cite "running" as a hobby, thinking this was just a way for them to let others know in a not-so-roundabout way they were sporty spices and always workin' on their fitness. And while I maintain my belief that this is the motive of most of them, I now get it. My hobby, my peace, my nirvana, my drug? Run, Candice, run.

5 comments:

Amy Coontz said...

And it is paying off as you look FABULOUS!!

Peter FNFN said...

weirdo.

hey, you should come snowboarding in SLC this season! bryan, matt, brad, stacie... a mini reunion

Meghan said...

I have never liked running because I can never run far. I know I have to build up to it, but that takes too long. I want to run miles and miles NOW!

Maybe I'll start ... hmm ...

My favorite workout song of all time? It's probably a tie between:

"'Till I Collapse" by Enimem and "You Had Me" by Joss Stone

Both of those TOTALLY get me pumped up.

Jordan and Nikki Brown said...

I fell in love with running because it's free, I could do it before Jordan had to be to work, and I feel completely refreshed afterwards. But I've enjoyed it all the more because I have a great running friend!

Oddly enough, my favorite running music is Jack Johnson - once I get going, I like to keep going for long runs, so this keeps me better paced...or maybe I just like his music!

The Panero Family said...

Ahh my heart soars at the compliments you give me. All I can say is I am so happy that you have finally found the enjoyment part.