Winter made a last-gasp, Monty Python-esque, "Not dead yet" statement over the weekend, and I was happy to take advantage of the end result: 12 - 20" of the fresh white stuff at Stowe, where I snowboarded on Saturday with Lightchaser. We were on the lift at 8:00, and enjoyed beautiful powder most of the day. It's amazing how a day like that on the mountain can literally make you giggle. Fluffy powder, pain free falls, beautiful surroundings... I'm holding on to that as spring approaches.
Another thing I'm holding onto is what I call a "breakthrough moment." I had one on the snowboard 2 weeks ago (another powder day), and it rekindled my enthusiasm for the sport. I had hit a plateau and was started to become frustrated when all of a sudden something clicked that completely changed the game. Instead of going across the mountain, I went down. Instead of fighting speed, I embraced it. Instead of stomping on turns, I used my hips to flow into and out of them. I'm loving it, and I know I'll be dreaming about snowboarding throughout the summer.
But the breakthrough moment isn't unique to snowboarding. It definitely applies to running and our pursuit for fitness in general. It usually happens for me when I'm totally bummed about my progress. Suddenly, I hit a new stage, which changes everything for the better. I'm currently lingering around the "I run sometimes, and struggle to get out there" level, looking to push into the "I dig running and am bummed to miss a day" stage. Sounds like Agricola had a taste of a breakthrough with his move to the wheezer. I'm hoping for one soon. Anyone else feeling it?
Monday, March 19, 2007
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1 comment:
Breakthroughs are always nice. I'm not sure this AM was a breakthrough, as much as it was finally comfortable to run for the first time in a week. I hate to admit to using the inhaler, but if it keeps me on the road rather than keeled over next to the road, then so be it!
I'm at the point where I do hate to miss a day, and am working hard to get the frequency up because I dig running. I find it easier to run during the week -- because I need to be disciplined at that time -- than I find it to run on the weekends which are a a free-for-all of errands and chores.
My running break-through actually came a while ago when I realized that it helps me in ways both physical and psychological. It used to be a much bigger part of my life when I was a Brooklynite without kids. Now, though, I'm weaving it back into the tapestry that is my life as a husband and father of two with a mortgage and more challenging commute from the 'burbs.
As I keep telling myself,it's a process, embrace the process -- and wait for that next breakthrough, it's out there.
Thanks for your post!
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