Day 20

Today was my twentieth consecutive day of running in the morning. Why am I running? Thanks for asking.

Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. At the time I weighed 265 pounds. Yeah, that's my lifetime high weight. The day after diagnosis I started running in the morning. My doctor told me that if I would resolve to exercise everyday, I would probably exercise five days a week. I realized that if I exercised every day, the results would happen faster. I ran every morning for the next 584 days. I ran in the snow, I ran in rain, I ran when it was cold, and I ran in the heat.I lost 65 pounds, dropped my blood sugar to normal levels, and felt much better. At the 584 day mark, I made the decision to exercise enough to maintain my weight and blood sugar level. Over the years my level of exercise gradually declined.

Three weeks ago, I decided to go back to daily exercise. Notice that I did not make a New Year's resolution. I was serious about doing it. Three weeks later, I am headed in the right direction. What are the benefits? Thanks for the easy question.

First, I feel better. My sugar level has dropped. My weight is about the same but to remain the same over Christmas is a major accomplishment.

Second, running at 3:30 AM on an empty country road is great for your mind. Lots of quiet time for me to think. Whatever you are thinking at 3:30 AM is pure truth. You can't BS yourself and there's no one around you need to impress. I have had lots of quality nerd thinking time lately.

What's the down side?? Getting up at 3:15 is not as easy as you may think. You may also encounter some unusual animal life at 3:30. I have encountered several deer, more than a few possums, and a couple of raccoons in the last three weeks.

Then there is the safety issue. This morning I hit a patch of ice after turning at the halfway mark. Suddenly my feet were moving but not covering any ground. At that point everything seemed to go into slow motion. I tumbled down the road 3 or 4 times before sprawling on the shoulder. The multiple layers of clothing that I was wearing due to the cold saved my butt, and the rest of my large frame. I WALKED away without a scratch. I will be moving a little slower out there tomorrow, but I will be out there. 564 days to go!!