Jim Palmer on triathloning
May 16, 2008 – 7:18 pm Posted by bryan in » sports
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I enjoyed this quick post from Jim Palmer today about why he runs, bikes, and swims…
i’ve gone through a few different phases. at first, it was interesting and ego-gratifying to be fit and in good shape. people noticed. but then that got old and i didn’t really care anymore what i looked like or how much i weighed or what my waist size is, blah, blah, blah.
So…how you been doing with those physical goals in the back of your head? In the best shape of your life? The worst? Somewhere in between? I’m curious to know how y’all are doing…
8 Responses to “Jim Palmer on triathloning”
By Aaron on May 17, 2008 | Reply
I have to say, this is one of the largest on-going issues in my life.
When I got out of high school I went on to play college football and had four straight years of lifting and conditioning at a very high level. I put on about thirty pounds of muscle and aerobically felt I could do anything. The amount of explosiveness I had athletically and ability to recover are something I’ve never been able to duplicate.
After college I worked as a CPA for four years and began alternating cycles of total sloth and decent physical condition. Over the past three its been more of the same. Now that I’m not a CPA I have more time, but I can’t find anything that motivates me to be consistent with working out.
I think there are two issues - one, a warped view of what it means to be in great physical shape and two, something that I truly enjoy. Simply running doesn’t really “do it” for me and there is no reason to lift weights all the time. I’m praying to get to a place where I find something enjoyable and contentment in not being some finely-tuned machine.
I guess my answer would be I’m somewhere in between, but I feel like I’m not in very good shape.
By bryan on May 17, 2008 | Reply
yeah, right now i am closer to my best shape ever, but if you’ve known my shape, you know that’s nothing to brag about.
for the past 4 months (since they put a gym in at work) i’ve been working out 4 times a week. it’s been great. i’ve lost about 10 pounds since January, and I’ve definitely added some muscle mass. I’m to the point right now where i dont even have a goal in mind, i just go to the gym because its what i do. (which is only easy because they gym is at work)
aaron, i understand the frustration in redefining “great shape” for yourself. It’s hard because we’re fighting a losing battle with age and gravity all the time, and its easy to get obsessed with it if you put too much into it. but you almost have to put alot into it to see results. hopefully you can find your sweet spot.
By Luke G on May 17, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been running a couple-few miles, sometimes interval training, 3-4 times/week. I can never bring myself to keep up a consistent weight-lifting routine–just a bit of toning here and there. I’ve never been able to shake the feeling that lifting weights is a bit narcissistic.
I’m not saying it necessarily has to be; no doubt it’s essential for athletes, etc. But I’m not much of an athlete. The ‘organized’ sport I play most often is whiffleball home run derby. But I just can’t seem to shake the feeling that the majority of people who lift regularly do it solely to appear a certain way. And I find that whenever I start to lift, my sole motivation is to look a certain way too, rather than be a certain way, namely, healthy. I don’t like that. Does anyone else know what I’m talking about here?
In short, I’m somewhere in-between. I’ve got a bit of a tire, but it’s on the decline, and less than in recent years past.
By buddy watts on May 17, 2008 | Reply
My only exercise these days comes at work. As I courier, I get in and out of a truck somewhere between 80-100 times in a 5 hour period while toting an average of 10 lbs. I have justified this as exercise. I would love to work out, I just don’t have the motivation to be perfectly honest. I have been working on changing my diet since January. I am doing OK. I have lost 20lbs during that span. The struggle continues…
By buddy watts on May 17, 2008 | Reply
If your keeping score….Can you say fitty?
By bryan on May 17, 2008 | Reply
luke, i think you’re right about weightlifting in that it often is mostly about how we look. personally, i can say that my lifting has been motivated 50% by wanting to be a better softball player and 50% wanting to look better at the pool.
now, i dont want to look better at the pool to be desirable to women (honestly), i guess the message i am trying to get out there is that i am disciplined and i am taking care of my body. i’m probably more interested in the approval of my guy friends than any women (other than my wife) who might have the misfortune of seeing me without a shirt.
Having said that, am i saying that I think its ok for me to be thinking that? not really. though i know, for me, it hasnt reached the level of idolatry or obsession where it’s unhealthy. but at the same time, i know i have to keep my guard up. i’ll admit that i want to look as good as i can. whether that’s having a tone chest, a fresh haircut, or a shirt that fits me well. i like to look good for my wife, but i also like to look good for me.
definitely something to always be checking yourself on. i dont think every desire we have is either to please God or it’s evil. but we can all start eschewing the desire to please God and be more concerned about pleasing men (or women), and that’s where we have our priorities messed up.
good thoughts…
By danny on May 18, 2008 | Reply
i coach high school basketball. i always gain about ten pounds during the season because of odd eating hours and free nuggets, pizza, nachos, coke, and candy bars. this year i gained fifteen.
five of the fifteen are gone. not from exercising or eating much different. it’s just from keeping a more normal schedule.
By danny on May 18, 2008 | Reply
congratulations to buddy. another second place finish for me.