It's finally Friday again. That means the weekend is almost here. More time for running, relaxing, family and friends. It also means Friday Five linkup. This week is inspiring. It's full of fit. Heck, you might even say its full of inspiring reasons for fitness. This week's topic is
Five Fitness Inspirations
1. Family
How can those cuties not inspire you? |
My first inspiration is my family. I want to make them proud. I want to be a good example for both my son and daughter. I want to be here for them for a long time. I do this for me, but I also do this for them.
2. Disney
Gotta love the Google Auto Awesome Twinkle effect. |
This one isn't for everyone. It is, however, for me. Disney, more specifically running IN Disney is more than enough reason for me. It got me to sign up for a half marathon when I didn't even run. At all. The opportunity to keep going back can help keep me going. I just wish I could afford to do it more often. I even had a friend with a bib for tomorrow for Tower of Terror. Oh the humanity. Oh the budget.
3. Challenges
First long finish line, just after high-fiving my boy Goofy |
The challenge, and therefore sense of accomplishment, is an amazing feeling. I always wanted to run a half, but never actually knew if I would. Finishing my first half was fantastic. Taking on the Cherry Blossom and finishing under a pace I wasn't sure I would even make without being swept was surreal. Running my second half marathon and performing up more to my potential was tremendous. And there's always more goals out there. Faster, longer, multiple days. One that I have my eye set on is the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. He has been my favorite since I've been a little boy, so I want his medal more than anything. It would just be a personal favorite of mine. That would mean not only a full marathon (which I've never done) but the half marathon the day before. I had hoped to do the 10th anniversary this coming 2015, but the "being an adult" got in the way of that. Hopefully I can tackle it the following year. But there is always more to do.
4. Winning my age group (by running when old as dirt)
I found my costume. |
Yep. I want to be that guy. I want to run until I'm old and win my age group by default of being the only old man out there. I know when I get there, I'll do it as me, so I'll be sure to stand out. If it's in Disney, I'll be that old dude in a costume running the race. Maybe even if it's not in Disney. When you're old, you can do whatever you want. No matter what, my inspiration is to run and be fit so I can get to be old and fit.
5. The Mirror
Note, that is not me in the picture. |
The last for me is the mirror. More specifically, to like what I see in the mirror a little bit more. It's not that I don't like me, but I want to see a better me. Some days I don't like what I see, but I know that's on me to change, to improve.
Sorry, went a little deep on that one. *insert wisecrack here*
Linking Up
Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!
Our hosts:
Eat Pray Run, DC
You Signed Up for What?!
Mar on the Run
Our hosts:
Eat Pray Run, DC
You Signed Up for What?!
Mar on the Run
Challenges for sure! Always new ones to take on. And I love your age group idea :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
I'm just setting goals, for the far future. I figure that's the best way for a back of packer like me to win. I'll take it, haha.
DeleteThe facial expressions on the kids are priceless! They are adorable. My family really inspires me too. I want them to see me work hard to achieve goals, not always get there but never give up.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I mean I'm so happy it's already gotten my daughter to want to run her own races. I need to stick with it so she'll stick with it. Of course, I'm sure after her first runDisney and she makes that connection, it will be her inspiration too.
DeleteJohn, you've stolen my thunder! I SOOO want to be the old one winning the age group awards; lucky for you I'm a girl, so we'll be in separate divisions - ha! :) I love that one of your inspirations is your kids; what a great gift to give them because they get to watch you run after your goals and stay healthy. The little guy is just precious! I love that he's staring at his sister, too. SO CUTE! Hope you have a great weekend, and thanks for sharing my blog on your post today!
ReplyDeleteExactly. No thunder stealing here. We won't be competing for age groups. There's no need to worry, I don't want competition, haha.
DeleteThey are quite cute together. My daughter can be very animated, as this picture portrays.
Have a great weekend too. You're welcome. :-)
LOL, probably my biggest excitement about turning 40 was moving into a new age group! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm in a rough age group right now for a lot of races around here. Not that I'd be near the top anyway, but they just CRUSH me. But when I'm like 60... watch out.
DeleteHa!!! I love your Mr. Fredrickson reference. I think that's the best thing about getting older..... better chance to place in your AG.
ReplyDeleteThanks. That's what I'm hoping will become my "competitive advantage".
DeleteThese are all great fitness inspirations! I also love the challenge and creating goals for myself - - it's such a great feeling when you accomplish them :)
ReplyDeleteThose goal and accomplishments can be so rewarding. Pays off for all the work.
DeleteLOVE that your family is on here and that you are setting such a positive example for your kids!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm trying to do my best.
DeleteI would love to run a Disney race one day. For the moment, there are not races at Disneyland Paris... but hopefully the bug will catch on.
ReplyDeleteYou say that now, but I would keep some open time next fall, specifically September 2015 and watch the runDisney blog. You may get to be a part of something something special.
Deleteyour kids are adorable! i love your list - i'll only win age groups when i'm the only one in them as well :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. That's my plan. Win by default, haha.
DeleteI once saw a shirt on an older gentleman while we were running a marathon, and the shirt had this printed on the back, "The older I get, the closer I am to qualifying for Boston." Boston times have been adjusted since then, so it's no longer as easy to get in as an older runner, but at the time, the shirt cracked me up! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of your children! They are cuties!
That's too funny.
DeleteThey are little cuties and balls of energy. She is a ham too.
Adorable pictures of your two little ones! Great images to capture all your source of inspiration. I would love to be the 80 year old who wins age groups too haha.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I felt the pictures would really add to it. And they're fun.
DeleteThese are all great inspirations. I will have to keep running for a long time before I can count on an AG prize -- there are some fast women in the 40s and 50s around here!
ReplyDeleteYeah. I don't think it will be any time soon. It's the long game I'm playing. That, or I need to fund a lot of women's themed races with very few men.
DeleteI love the way your family is your inspiration and that you want to make them proud. I want to make mine proud too. I feel I'm leading by example by running!
ReplyDeleteThe best way to lead is by example, so we're all off to a good start.
Delete