Today I enjoyed some "soul food." No, I didn't chicken and waffles, or Hushpuppies. I ate a very "normal" dinner of dall sheep pot roast, red potatoes and peas.
My soul food was taking a break from working out, and working on nourishing the spirit. When engaged in pursuit of excellence in a single area, it is easy to neglect other things. I welcome Sundays to participate in the sabbath day of rest. The body needs it as much as the spirit, mind, and the family.
Rest and renewal is an important part of any fitness regimen. I often hear a phrase, whether referring to business, life, or any ongoing endeavor, "This is not a sprint, this is a marathon." I have never run a marathon. The drive to complete a full marathon, hasn't seized me yet.
I know it's not like this for all distance runners, I admire and respect all of you superstuds and studettes that run neurotic distances. It takes serious guts, determination, and preparation. But the mental image in my mind is people running forever. They look exhausted, gaunt, and are running on empty for hours. When I think of the Olympic sprinters vs the marathoners, Sprinters are jacked! They have striated powerful muscle. Of course, their bodies are conditioned for two totally different things, but if I'm choosing a body, I'll take the sprinter body. Plus, they get to sprint hard, then rest. I like that.
I love approaching goals and projects as sprints. High fueled, strong bursts of intense energy toward a goal, then a diversion, rest, renewal then burst again. Like an intense bodybuilding season, followed by a relaxing, short fishing season, then a more intense training to hunt the mountains in the fall. Eat fudge and eggnog in December, then train and diet for bodybuilding again.
But back to Sundays, my point before I waxed philosophical about sprinting and running without knowing where I was going, my point was that I enjoy Sundays for the physical rest, and the renewal and nourishment of the spirit.
Sunday is over now. I've rested long enough. Bring on Monday!