Fitness is a lot like money — it takes a long time to build up a good amount, and a fraction of that time to lose it.
Every bit of it must be re-earned.
I thought about this as I slogged uphill tonight in my mom’s neighborhood.
I kept thinking about how I used to be able to run five times as far with what felt like a fraction of the effort. Hills like the ones I ran up tonight were no big deal. I had this weird, self-righteous thought that since I used to be so fit, I deserve to be that way again.
And I do. Everyone deserves to be healthy. But I don’t deserve to have it handed to me. I need to work for it, just like I did the first time around.
When it comes to rebuilding fitness, you get out of it what you put in. Sweat. Miles. Healthy choices. I need some more of all of ‘em.
I’ve got about a month left before my first post-injury 5K. Here’s to earning it!
Dev on Running 