"Keeping Up With the Regniers"

I had to run 24 kms today because my siginficant other did so on friday, but I didn't really enjoy it. For some reason I have been struggling a little for the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it's just mental or if I have a touch of the flu? I suspect the former but still I had to make 2 attempts before I got this run in. Yesterday I felt tired from the outset and settled for a run around the block. I really only forced my way through it today for the above mentioned "keeping up" rarionale. I suppose though that it's ok to be a bit competetive when it comes to healthy things like physical activity, as opposed to the decidedly unhealthy passtime that the expression "keeping up with Joneses" implies.

But first on my training and the mental aspects of it. Right now my most significant motivation is the desire to stay fit and healthy and I suppose that's a good thing. It's tough though because I truly belive that I am not genetically gifted with the makeup of an athlete. Already and somewhat to my surprise, without the huge volume of training I was doing I am again battling my weight. It's nothing serious (I've probably gained 5 pounds) but that's always the way it starts and I just know I need to get more disciplined. I can not let that happen!! Of course I have the special challenge (read that as excuse) of my eating limitations related to my saliva, tastebuds, swallowing etc. Also I just don't have the athleticism that makes workouts easier and more fun. Peter has us (Roo and I) doing these exercises called plyometrics, and thay just kill me. They take a lot of co-ordination and a lot of strength, neither of which I have. There have been a few days recently when I've just questioned the value of it all. I have no motivation to get into the pool, again because it seems like I have so much to learn, none of which will come easily. Blah, blah, blah!

Oh well...if it was easy I guess everyone would do it!

So back to keeping up. I admit to falling into the trap now and again which somehow got me wondering how and why? Is it not sad that we don't even know we need something until we see someone else with it.? It's a real sickness if you ask me....a sickness born of our materialistic society. An addiction as real and no less troublesome than the more researched addictions of things like food, drugs and gambling. Why? Well because like those other addictions it always leaves you wanting more. It is insatiable, and in my opinion the cause of more strife in the world than all the other addictions combined. The passion to keep up with the Joneses exists at all levels of our society right up to that of the globes biggest political entities....why are any wars really fought? Not for any other reason other than the fact that one guy has what the other guy wants!!! They're all trying to keep up with the Changs, the Riveras, the Kharlamovs etc.

So I'm gonna try to focus on just keeping up with my Regnier. That's enough of a challenge and one which I don't mind if I fail to meet. Maybe if I had some new running shoes, the really light ones with the super shock absorption??!!

“Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment."---Mark Twain

“That man has reached immortality who is disturbed by nothing material."---Swami
Vivekananda

"Increase of material comforts, it may be generally laid down, does not in any way whatsoever conduce to moral growth."--- Mohandas Gandhi

love
peter