Run, Run, as Fast as You Can!

By Sage

I'm a complete novice about many of the topics covered by this blog, but I'm learning, and therefore I'm excited. Ember asked me to contribute for two reasons: 1) I'm one of the top five smartest people that she knows [Hee, hee, just kidding everybody! Let's don't add "my own horn tooting" to my profile, please.] and 2) I absolutely love to work out and have successfully lost significant weight and maintained that weight loss for going on four years now. My area of expertise in our mission statement is the part where we proclaim, unequivocally, that our bodies were created to be in motion. I can't say enough good things about regular, energetic exercise. I could go on and on in any number of posts (and let's face it--I probably will) about the myriad health benefits, the psychological and emotional improvements, the weight control perks and the overall awesomeness of being very physically active. I like to remember the part of Doctrine & Covenants 89 that promises we can "run and not be weary, and walk and not faint." To me, that's the Lord's plug for excercise, and I take it very seriously. Movement is a crucial part of your Temple Maintenance program. Yes, diet and nutrition play a big role as well, but that's another post.

What I wanted to blog about (you know, that word should really be spelled 'blahg' as in 'blah, blah, blah, blah' because honestly isn't that what we're actually doing?) today was that I just finished the most incredible book: an absolute must-read for anybody who has run, is currently running, or thinks that someday they might consider the possibility of taking up running. The book is titled Chi Running by Daniel Dreyer, and is basically a holistic approach to running. He teaches everybody, from beginners to ultramarathon-ers and everyone in between, how to run without injury or fatigue, and how to approach the sport as a lifestyle, not just a workout. He uses the principles he has learned in Tai Chi, and applies them to running with an honest, informative, and downright entertaining writing style. I was riveted, and I'm generally not into the self-help book genre. You've got to read it. Really. It will teach you how to work with your body, and with natural forces, to stay healthy and avoid the many pitfalls commonly associated with running. Go get it! And go get 'em!

Here's to you.