An hour on the road every day

So, I made the following pledge:

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night stays this runner from spending an hour shuffling around outside every single day*

Fitness is 80% Starting

My landlord from 1998 through 2007, David Michael, was pretty fit. His goal was simple, too, but also permissive: "I go to the gym every single day, even if I don't have the time to work out. Maybe I'll have a drink from the water fountain. Thing is, once I get there, I usually do a little something."

f8 and Be There

My dad, the amazing photographer Bob Abraham, told me that the trick to photography is being there. Getting up for the sunrise. Humping your gear ten miles into the bush. Being there is at least 80% of the journey. Getting off his ass and getting to the gym in a busy, busy, day of very limited hours, was probably 90% of working out for David. 

Nikes and Be Outside

So, my job is to get outside in the rain, sleet, and gloom of night and slow jog, slow run, jog, run—and even walk—even if all my gear, gadgets, headphones, and the phone aren't fully charged and I'm not ready. 

The Proof is in the Pudding

Well, I have completed not just one but two first runs—in a row—so, based on my hazy memory of Stat 101 at GWU and my sample size of two indicating that I will, in fact, slow jog every day for the rest of my life, here I go!  Wish me luck! Inshallah!

*Except for those days I don't or can't—I won't beat myself up over this. That doesn't mean I won't go out of my way to do it. For example, when I travel, I plan to bring a pair of running shoes, running shorts, a t-shirt, some running socks, and maybe even my TRX system (or, maybe I'll get and keep some Monkii Bars in my travel bag). But if it doesn't work out on one day or another or plans pop up and there's a good opportunity for a lovely life experience, I'll take that.