Tag: Patience

Posted on

Building Strength: A Journey of Patience, Progress, and Support

Written October 15, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

I woke this morning to confirmation that I had put enough effort into my pullups. My subscapular muscles and my biceps were sore. Even last winter, the pull-ups gave me muscle aches, although the aches were much less intense than today. 

I wear gloves my sister gave me last winter to protect my skin. My wife gifted me the pullup platform over a decade ago before I had a brain stroke. Due to the brain stroke, I could not use the machine for several years. My wife did not get rid of it. She adamantly told me that she would use it if I could not use it in the future. She usually gets rid of things we don’t use without hesitation, so this was abnormal behavior for my wife. I thanked her for not getting rid of the machine, regardless.

Because I have been working on muscle exercises, my wife wants to gradually add muscle exercises to her workout curriculum. She is more of a cardio person but says that is not good enough. She runs to keep her body, especially her energy, high. Still, she would get hurt without a proper body to handle her energy. She’s started stretching to be more flexible. Now, she wants to have more muscles. She has so many things she wants to do, and she wants to have a healthy brain to do them at a later age. I know she does not like muscle training as much. So, I want to help and support her in her muscle training.

Despite this soreness, I did another set of exercises before breakfast. I wanted to see how well I would do today. Completing a push-up set was more manageable than yesterday. I could complete more before needing to drop off for a moment.  So, I expect to be at least as sore tomorrow. 

I have loved training my muscles since I was young and did gymnastics. My training is about something other than bulking up muscles, though. You would need strong core muscles to complete some gymnastics routines. 

As we age, our bodies act a little differently. For example, retaining muscles while maintaining them will be easier. I also understand that I have restrictions since my kidneys are compromised. For one, I consume protein like I used to, which hurts me to gain muscles. But I also understand it is not impossible to gain muscles even if I am aged or have compromised kidneys. I need more patience with my body. 

Eventually, my muscles will catch up to what I’m forcing them to do, and the soreness will fade.  It might take a week or two to reach that point, but I’m in no rush.

Posted on

Staying Positive on My Running Journey: Celebrating Small Wins

Written September 4, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Sometimes, reaching a target requires more effort than expected. Recently, I’ve been working diligently to increase my running pace, aiming to hit my 5km goal. I do not set unrealistic expectations for myself, but I believe in challenging my limits with monthly targets. I strive to improve each month, even by a small margin. Progress keeps me motivated and focused on my goals, no matter how incremental.

Today, I came within 5 seconds of my target pace, but I’m still falling short of where I want to be. Part of the struggle may be that I haven’t fully recovered from last weekend’s intense deck-building project. That physical exertion and my running routine have taken a toll on my body. Perhaps I’m pushing too hard. With compromised kidneys, my energy levels tend to dip quickly, and it doesn’t help that I’ve been struggling to maintain my protein intake. This lack of proper nutrition impacts my stamina and overall performance.

My wife often reminds me to ease up on myself and not let the numbers be a source of frustration. She’s right when she says that getting hung up on disappointing results can trigger people to lose motivation and give up. It’s easy to fall into the trap of obsessing over numbers and feeling like you’re not progressing fast enough. But I try not to rely on motivation alone, as it can be fleeting. I choose to look at it differently: being just 5 seconds off means I’m close, and with a little more effort, I can achieve that target on my next run.

Chasing after goals can be challenging, especially when progress feels slow or stagnant. There are moments when doubt creeps in, and I start questioning how long it will take to see the improvements I want. How much longer will my slow improvement continue? When those thoughts arise, I remind myself to shift my perspective and review my progress over a longer timeframe. In doing so, I can see that my pace is gradually improving. Although it’s not happening as quickly as I’d like, the improvement is there, and that’s what matters.

I’ve learned there’s no need for drastic course corrections. What I need is patience and persistence. My wife calls that discipline—and I couldn’t agree more. Discipline keeps me lacing up my shoes and heading out the door, even when the numbers aren’t where I want them to be. It’s about trusting the process and believing that consistent effort will eventually yield the results I’m aiming for.

While my running hasn’t been as smooth lately, I’m noticing improvements in other areas of my fitness journey. I’ve started incorporating daily stretching into my routine, and the results have been remarkable. My flexibility has increased dramatically compared to a month ago. I’m now able to perform stretches that were previously challenging for me. It’s a reminder that progress comes in many forms, even if it’s not always where we expect it.

Ultimately, it’s not just about reaching a specific pace or achieving a particular milestone. It’s about the overall journey of self-improvement, pushing through setbacks, and celebrating the small victories. Whether it’s a faster run or greater flexibility, every step forward counts. And with that mindset, I’ll keep moving forward, one run at a time.

Posted on

Anticipation in the Air: Navigating Winter’s Last Chill

Written on January 22, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Embarking on my daily neighborhood reconnaissance, today felt remarkably reminiscent of those childhood moments precariously balanced on the cusp of unwrapping Birthday or Christmas gifts. Though decidedly warmer than yesterday’s embrace, the air stubbornly lingered below the freezing threshold of 32°F (0°C).

As the first light of dawn broke, the roads mirrored the previous day’s icy sheen, casting doubts on my planned run. The weather prophets heralded a dramatic rise in temperatures. Yet, gleaming with a deceptive gloss, the roads hinted at a persistent icy veil. This predicament left me in a quandary, pondering the feasibility of my morning run. Annoyance tinged my thoughts, but a decision loomed in the not-too-distant future. I resolved to grant the unfolding day a few more hours, hoping the view from my front window—specifically, the hill rising from our domicile—would offer clarity.

Regardless of today’s verdict, I harbored confidence in the promise of Wednesday. It stood as a beacon of clear passage should today’s conditions conspire against my desires. My patience, though frayed, needed only to endure a fleeting moment longer. The transient nature of this winter’s final tease did little to dampen my spirits, for the anticipation of warmer days and cleared paths held its own charm.

This season, with its unpredictable whims, serves as a gentle reminder of nature’s inherent unpredictability and the small joys found in the anticipation of change. As we navigate these final days of chill, there’s a unique pleasure in the waiting, a sentiment familiar to those who cherish the slow unveiling of spring’s warmth. Just as a child eagerly anticipates the revealing of gifts, so too do we await the unveiling of the season’s final act, a transition filled with promise and the potential for renewed outdoor endeavors.

Whether today grants passage or bids me wait, the anticipation is a gift. It refers to simpler times, where the joy was as much in the waiting as in the receiving. So, as I peer out my window, gauging the day’s potential, I’m reminded that patience, though tested, is often rewarded with the sweetest outcomes. Here’s to the hopeful wait for winter’s curtain call, a period of anticipation that, in its own right, is a cherished gift.