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A Running Doc’s Life: The Morning Run!

morning run dan and sarah

This past week has been really nice going out for an early morning run. The fog along the lake makes you feel mesmerized by nature, and you don’t even feel like you are exercising. That is that special feeling that comes on certain days of running…not all days, but certain days, where everything is just clicking on all cylinders. Everything feels good, the breathing is easy, you get lost in your own thoughts…and the scenery makes it easy for that to happen. When that alarm clock goes off, and some mornings it usually ranges between 5 and 6 AM, many excuses flow through your head as to why I should not run that day. Sometimes I do change plans then, but on those days when I make myself get up to get ready, I don’t regret it. Especially when some of the views showing up next are what I get to look forward too.

foggy dockdock and moonmorning lake reflection

It is so easy to get lost in your thoughts running by the lake. Either the sun rising, the clouds and reflections along the lake, the moon still out before the sun comes up…all make it easy to forget your problems, and to get fired up for the day ahead. That is where it really helps, when I know I am going to have a busy day, either in clinic, or with meetings, or both. I can help plan overall how I am going to take this all on, and how to stay organized and on task. I can have a lot of the stress put at ease just because I have mapped it all out in my head before hand, and know how I am going to tackle things. It is fun on those days when I run with a group, but those other days when I either just run with Sarah, or by myself…those days are just as important. I may be exercising my body, but I am exercising my mind too. Just me and my thoughts! These are my “Calgon, take me away” moments.

sarah running

Sarah and I can go through things that have been happening with our kids, or things at work, and we need another opinion. We can lean on each other. Other times, we may run together, and not even say a word. We are running as a team, just listening to each other breath, and relax on our own, but together.

dan running

And those days when you are alone, you don’t have to worry about getting in an argument with anybody, or trying to help solve everybody else’s problems…you can have some quiet time on your own…time to reflect, on both good and bad; time to problem solve; time to escape; time for me! Everybody earns, and deserves, some time to themselves. I told my family all along when I would run or work out, that I got 30-60 minutes for me, and the rest of the day was for my family and my patients. In order to do a better job for my family, and my patients, I need some time to me. This is what running does, and especially those early morning runs…before the rest of the world gets up, and all the demands of the day start coming into play. Remember that! We all need some quality time to ourselves…to think, to escape, to exercise…just to take care of ourselves! Going out for some activity, whether running, walking, biking…just moving…can help accomplish that! Keep moving everybody! Then feel more prepared to take on the world!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3613

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