Week 8: Recovery Run

Another short recovery run. 40 minutes running around PRC. They were cutting the grass today, but they hadn't gotten to the gradually sloping hill on the far side of campus, so I got a good opportunity to do some high stepping through the tall grass. I like doing that sometimes and pretending I'm running into the end zone, or some over crazy maneuver. It's fun. I think you have to go out of your way to make things fun.

That reminds me of something Zak said the other day. Zak is a guy I work with. He's in his 60's now. He served about 40 years in the Army, personally working with Colon Powell among others. After he retired from the military, he started working in education helping implement compliance programs for larger federal grant awardees. He's had a great run in his life and is really, really at piece with who he is and what he does. If you ever get a chance to spend some time around him, I highly recommend you do. He's got plenty to run off on you.

Anyway, I'm talking to Chris about how excited I am about all the incredibly unhealthy food I love. Chris said he loves it too, but he just can't forgive himself for eating too much of it. Right then Zak turns the corner, and says, "Why not? You're the one who wanted to do it."

Chris says, "You're right. I should prepare myself. I should tell myself I'm going to forgive myself after I eat this."

"Why wait that long?" Replied Zak. "I tell myself, 'I know it's wrong, but I'm gonna do this and I'm really going to enjoy it.'"

What an attitude. Maybe he's just salty like that in his years. I'd like to believe that he's been that way for years and who he is now is a result of that attitude. There's nothing better than the person who has the guts to stand by their decisions. It takes character and boy is that appealing.

If you can't do that, something's wrong. You're the one who decided to do it in the first place. Might as well enjoy yourself.