The first fight my husband and I ever got into, back when we were dating, was over a board game. We were playing Taboo, boys versus girls, and he discovered via my aggressive use of the buzzer and my fairly unrelenting trash talk exactly how competitive I was (I discovered that other people don't always find my "Monica from Friends" level of competitiveness charming. I'm working on that).
While I don't recommend using an electronic buzzer to shame the person you love, I do think there is value to tapping in to your competitive side as a way of getting motivated to get active. One of the best things I did in terms of getting back into shape after my son was born was signing up to do a sprint triathlon. I had always wanted to do one and it seemed like a challenge, but a reachable one.
I chose an event about six months away in a nearby town and paid my $75 entry fee. Having that date on my calendar help me commit to going to the pool or taking my bike out on days when I probably would rather have taken a nap and that time spent swimming or working on running gave me a much needed break from baby time.
I completed my first sprint triathlon when my son was just over a year old. I was near the back of the pack and the bike ride kicked my butt (tip from me to you: don't sign up for any races until you know exactly how hilly the course is!) but I was so exhilarated at the end and almost burst into tears when I saw my little guy cheering for me at the finish line.
If a triathlon isn't your thing, there are other great, smaller races you could sign up for to motivate yourself. In my area it seems like there is a 5K almost every weekend and the Couch to 5K program (link here) is just one of the many training programs for beginners out there that is free and easy to follow.
I didn't sign up for a race after my daughter was born and am still struggling with getting fitness back in my life. Maybe a spring triathlon is in my future...
Do you have a competitive side? Have you signed up for any races as an adult?
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- Wendy10Robinson
on Aug. 4, 2014 at 12:00 AM