Quantum leaps are not done by trying incrementally – but by taking quantum leaps. – Myself 🙂

I kept running 5 Kms and suddenly one day I just decided to run 10 Kms and I could do it – of course it did hurt – but  it changed me forever.

My 4 year old was on training wheels for more than 2 years and one fine day the wife removes the training wheels and after a few days he was able to ride by himself.

When you are going to dive into a cold swimming pool there is no use touching the water – just dive in.

And last week I read a story about this guy who is on a 25 year fitness streak. That did it – the very next day I started my own fitness streak.

Today is Day #6 – going good and I am telling myself – I will not break it – ever.

Day #1 – Ran 4.2 Kms
Day #2 – Ran 4.4 Kms
Day #3 – Cycled 4.2 Kms
Day #4 – Ran 5.0 Kms
Day #5 – Meditated
Day #6 – Ran 5.2 Kms

It will take some 21 days to become a habit. I hope after 21 days my fitness streak will be like brushing, shaving and I need not talk to myself anymore to get out of the bed and get out and run.

Some questions do linger – what if I fall sick ( I will atleast meditate ), what if I go on a business trip and cannot run ( I will do atleast 50 push-ups).

Boiling it down to the fundamentals – I want to give at least 30 minutes every day only for myself – can still do it without all the Fitness Streak Drama – but calling this “Fitness Streak” – makes it very interesting. ( Like how Steve Jobs sold random functionality as iShuffle )

And btw – you know the goal of the guy who is running for 25 years – he wants to beat the guy who is on a running streak for 40 years.

Don’t join a Gym. Instead Run.

1. Gym will get boring soon. 

You discover new ways to workout, new machines. Then you set targets – 10 Reps, 15 Reps, 30 Reps and reach them. Then you start getting used to the machines, the reps, the music, the people who come there, the smell. Then you start dragging yourself to Gym. It is like going to office – not fun.

Instead Run – you can create so many variations – Run around a lake, Run inside a Park, Run on a long stretch of road, Run on a treadmill,  Run on a beach, Run on a nice slope, Run on new trials. Run a marathon and get a certificate. Run backwards. Run barefoot. Run in a midnight marathon. Run on Mumbai Sea-link ( my next goal ). You can keep changing the place, pace, time – no two runs are the same.

Running never gets boring. After every run you get a “Runners High” – you have to experience it to understand it. Its addictive too – a good addiction.

2. You need to wait for your favorite treadmill / machine


When you run you need not wait for anyone – the road is always open.

3. You can enjoy nature.


A hot sun beating on you, your tshirt is wet from your sweat and a cool breeze touches you – and you can feel the heat and coolness penetrating your skin – its a wonderful feeling.

4. You are truly green.


You are burning only your own calories when you run. You are not wasting fossil fuels unnecessarily.

5. No Guilt.


You are not paying for a year’s Gym membership and spend the days in guilt when you do not go to the gym. If you don’t feel like running – don’t run. And when you feel like running – you just take off – wherever in earth you are – on a vacation, on a business trip.

You have a free membership to this gym that is available everywhere – 24×7.

Don’t give in to the Gym’s pitches – all you need is a cheap shoe and a good headphone – and just run.

—
A Runner for the rest of my life.