About 8 years ago, I wrote a post about how I feel like I’d gone through about eight different fitness identities in my life — and I was wondering which one I was entering. I thought it was “Aging Adventurer.” Maybe that’s what happened — I certainly traveled a lot, rode my bike in a lot of different countries and territories, engaged with grit in all sorts of different ways. But that’s not so much true right now. It’s more… Try Hard to Get Off the Couch.
Since I turned 60 last year, I’ve definitely… slowed down. It’s a lot harder to see the “adventurer” part as being louder than “aging.” This was the first winter in almost 20 years I didn’t travel anywhere warm or sunny, and I found it very… heavy. Dark, cold, lots of emotional residue of various kinds. For some reason, I canceled my gym membership. I just… hibernated.
I’m curious — am I alone in this? How easy is it for all of you to stick to your movement intentions, to set a training plan and follow it, to argue in your head between the couch and whatever diversion besets you (scrolling, gaming, mindless TV, consumables of whatever kind…)? What are you noticing?
I used to be able to happily run 5 kilometres without drama. Last Friday, I ran 3 km for the first time in months and — after a cold and a bunch of stitches in my hand after a kitchen accident last weekend, it was a Feat. I am finding it a lot harder to get myself outside, to get off the couch, to feel rested enough to even contemplate an adventure. The world and all that out yonder sure doesn’t help.
I’m just noticing, and realizing I have to set some actual intentions, that I am not the person who can just get on a bike and ride all day without training anymore. I’m trying to define what it is I am trying to do in my body.
Today was Easter Sunday. I was at my youngest sister’s house, with my other sister. The adults were sitting at the kitchen table eating chips and salsa and yammering about our lives. My 5 year old niece asked me to come and play bubbles with her. I listened. We went outside did bubbles, then walked to the park. I brought a skipping rope. We jumped a bit and climbed and I pushed her on the swing and we did some running. And I remembered why it’s important to listen when the fresh air calls.
Happy spring. What’s motivating you?
Fieldpoppy is Cate Creede-Desmarais, who is very happy that spring is finally almost here.
