I always grew up hearing the saying at home: “It is better to give than to receive”. Nowhere is that more important now than during this time of the holidays, and Christmas season. But, this is something we should always keep in mind in our lives. Yesterday our run club met early so we could all still get a run in for the weekend. Normally our run day together is Sunday, but with today being Christmas, it was important for all of us to spend time with family…our main families. We as a run club are like family, but in a different sense. We spend time together, we all love to run, and we have become friends. We all wore Santa or Elf hats to get in the spirit of the season. EVERYBODY wanted to get together Saturday and run…we did not want to miss a weekend. This tells me a lot about the friendship that has developed by a bunch of people who got together because they like to run. In life, some know you…some remember you…some like you…some understand you…but…a TRUE FRIEND does all of these things, and always hopes for the best for you! This is what we have! This is what this group has become! During our marathon training, we worried more about somebody else who was hurt and could not run with us, than we did about ourselves. We worried more about each other, and how each of us were going to do in the marathon than ourselves!
The real secret is to give without expecting anything in return…it is better to give than receive! Our lives are much more rewarding when this occurs!
Paula was going to run her first marathon, and we were going to help her get it done. The Sioux Falls half marathon was a good warmup…here Jill is hugging her in congratulations after finishing! Paula was getting it done, and we were going to help her! All of us had tips. All of us having running stories, workout stories…things that work, and things that didn’t work. Experience goes a long way! I have learned many things from my training partners over the years…
Tom has been at my side for many years! We may not run as much together as we did, but we still do!
Steve, and our memory maker for a life time with doing the Goofy challenge at Disney. After the race, we enjoyed our ice cream and a coke. At that moment, it was better to “receive”…and those treats hit the spot!
…and the most recent training partner group. Here we are an hour before we were going to start the Twin Cities Marathon in October. We had gone through a lot together, culminating on this day. For me, it was not about the run, but the relationships and friendships that running has created…that exercise in general has created! When it comes to exercise, it is really no different than life in general. All of us at some time need some help. And…all of us at sometime can help somebody else! That feels even better!
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Remember that, and when you help somebody else out, see how it feels. See the difference you can make in somebody’s life, and how it made them feel. Then realize you are also becoming a better you in the process. This is even more important this time of year.
Merry Christmas everybody! Keep moving everybody, and work on becoming a better you at the same time!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3376
