Atlanta Run TEAM

Still plagued by a running injury, I was perusing the Team LUNA Chix site for some tips or advice, and came across a post about Aqua Jogging.  My initial reaction was “geez, I’d look like a total moron.”  It’s the same reaction I had when I first came across this awesome workout that is designed for the playground, or the equally awesome living room Tabata workout.  Seriously?  You expect me to attempt a pull up on the monkey bars or burpees in my living room, for all the world (or fellow moms and neighbors) to see??  I got over it real fast when one day, not too long ago, my son and I were at the playground and I looked at my watch, realizing that the clock was ticking before dinner had to be made and baths to be given and bedtime stories to be read.  There was little time left in the day for a workout.  So, I glanced around me to be sure that no judgemental parties were watching and attempted a pull up.  I actually did TWO that day - I think those were the first pull ups I’ve ever done in my life - and I let out a little squeal of delight when I finished.  Fortunately, my squeal couldn’t be heard over the squeals of the little rugrats on the playground. 

I have also been known to use my kid’s sidewalk chalk to draw out an exercise circuit on our driveway or in the cul-de-sac, and jump right into - literally - jumping jacks, pushups, mountain climbers, even a down dog or two.  I’ve charged up a steep grassy hill at the park and planked atop a bench, and a whole litany of other things I’d never have been caught dead doing a few years ago, for fear of embarrassment.  The thing is, once you realize that the insane thing you are doing is probably 10 times more than the smirking onlooker has done all week in terms of physical activity, you just really don’t care what you look like anymore.  And when the going gets tough and you have to train for something or recover from something, you’ll do whatever it takes to get you there - even if that’s carrying around a tennis ball in your car to massage out your knotted muscles at a stoplight (ahem) or going grocery shopping while drenched in sweat and wearing the ever unflattering bike shorts after a spin class.  Been there, done that, folks.

The moral of my story (or post) is, get over yourself.  If someone gives you a funny look, it’s likely because they wonder how the heck you are able to do whatever it is you’re doing, and they wish they were physically capable of doing it themselves.  Us athletes have to do everything we can to stay active, healthy and competitive in our sports, and we shouldn’t worry about how we look.  It’s about how we feel.  And most of the time, that’s pretty darn great.