I've been running for a couple of years. I just got a road bike. I am digging it. Running and riding allow me to meditate. I think about my life and how great it is, in spite of all the failures I have incurred. I don't need a religion to know how lucky I am for the opportunity of experiencing life. And when my life ends, my body will transform into something else. But I will have had the best run/ride ever. My run/ride!
I'm curious ... do you get the proverbial "runner's high", and how much of a factor is that in your motivation? Just asking as someone who gets no sort of high, or usually even an immediate, particularly good feeling from any sort of exercise. Not that there aren't benefits, they are just gradual-onset, mostly long term, some medium term, virtually no short term good feels, and honestly, a lot of short term bad feels when doing something new or ramping up my game.
@mordant I do now. Initially though, not at all. It took many months before my body adapted to the exercise. Over time, I lost a lot of weight which made it easier to run. The aches and pains become less poignant. Now I actually need it or else I feel weird throughout the day. I am a morning runner mostly. Riding is something I started doing recently. And I love it! I get to go greater distances and it is easier on my joints.
@Erick67 Thanks, that is interesting. I am 61 and have been walking for exercise for about 20 years now, it has taken and kept off about 80 pounds but I now I need core strength and balance improvement so am probably heading more in a yoga direction than running. I know what you're saying about "feeling weird" though, that is true of me if I don't walk for a couple of days, usually due to severe weather. I hate mall walking but will do it just so I don't feel "weird", if I can't walk outdoors.
It’s amazing how important exercise is for the body and mind. I need that time to myself to recharge.
It is. I just wish I had started running much earlier in my life. No matter. I am happy now. Find the time. It's worth it.
I used to run cross country in high school and then I got a bike and never went back. Wow, what an improvement, as I get my workout the scenery actually changes.
I confess, I have moved to a place that is not very bike friendly. I have take up kayaking which is even slower than running only easier on the knees.
Kayaking, it sounds appealing. Never done anything on water. Not much of a swimmer either. I've been looking into paddle boarding. I might give that a try.
@Erick67 I just pulled up a map and was going to point out some great kayak places around Orlando, but OMG, imagine how great those trails in the Green Swamp Wilderness preserve would be on a mountain bike.
Here in Virginia Beach I have a nice 7 mile kayak loop. A couple of hours of workout, lots of wilderness with a couple of river otters thrown in. I have to walk about 50 yards at low tide.