absent.canadian

There’s nothing like a new exercise to make you feel like a fat kid trying to climb a greased flagpole.

I’ve been rock climbing regularly for 16 months now.  Been using my rowing machine for 6 months.  Did 4 months of vigorous water aerobics.  And yet, the idea of running faster than a wobbling penguin sent me into convulsions of heavy breathing.

This was compounded with the added complexity of Sydney.  Unlike most Spaniels, Sydney is a dog that chooses the path of least resistance.  She’s far more content to lounge on my bed than she is to run around like most spaniels.  I thought she might enjoy the prospect of jogging, though, and decided to leash her up for a neighbourhood jog.

Big mistake.

Sydney was determined to resist.  And every time she stopped, she’d break what little momentum I had gathered.  After eighteen or nineteen repeats of this, we compromised and decided that a vigorous walk would be more in order.

And while she slept soundly last night, I have a feeling she was cursing me under her odious dog breath.

Friends, I need your help.

Seriously.

I’ve made such an effort to get into shape over the past year, and it’s worked for the most part.  Before my efforts began, jeans with a 36″ waist were starting to get a bit snug.  A year-and-a-half later, I’m wearing 33’s – the first time I’ve fit in those since the late 90’s.  And while my tummy still has a bit to go, I have to say I’m really pleased with myself.

So.  How can you help?

I want to register for the Krispy Kreme Challenge.  I’ve hovered over the PayPal button to register at least a dozen times, but haven’t had the cojones to do it.

It’s a wimpy 4 mile run.  Hardly even worth mentioning.  But I’ve never been good at running, and I know I’ll have to bust my ass to acclimatize my body to running.  It’ll mean more time on the rowing machine, regular jogging through my neighborhood (this should amuse my neighbors to no end), and an improvement to my already-improved diet.

(and if you think I’m whoring for comments, you’d be correct.)

So please.  Leave a comment.  Be rude to me if you have to.  Encourage me to sign up.  And if you’re in Raleigh, please come out and encourage me.  ’Cause my still-too-fat ass needs all the encouragement it can get.