Thursday, June 16, 2005

Racing Age

Step by step, mile-by-mile, eyes fixed forward; jacked into my tunes, drowned in my thoughts. I broke the wall about a mile back -the runners’ high started in my lungs, a slow steady scream, a constant stream, and slowly spreads, like black ink in a full glass. Sweat drips off my brow into my smiling eyes. Oxygen fights to fuel my muscles propelling my mind that in turn keeps me alive: the agony and the ecstasy. A cheap thrill if you will for an over the hill coot with an agenda to fill - the pursuit of youth, and health, and a wealth of sinewy muscles and that elusive eight-pack. I wouldn’t mind hitting a 3-percent body fat either, while we’re at it.

24 comments:

LeeLoreya said...

yeah I was a mad jogger once.
No, I'm not starting that "Back in my youth thing" haha.

It's first about endurance, then fighting against your body in a way. Most exciting way to keep fit.

-G.D. said...

Nice workout....I need a cigarette after that.

Your blog is one nice read, Hermes.

Hermes said...

LeeLoreya. It is. Plus, I'm one for quick results... instant gratification you know. I can't think of a quicker way to build a sweat...well...actually I can.

G.D. Heyyy, to whom do we owe this unexpected pleasure? ;)

I'm glad you approve. Thanks for swinging by and leaving such a gracious comment.

The Complimenting Commenter said...

Congrats on making it to the high. When I try it I don't get that far. And the 3% is possible. Good luck.

LeeLoreya said...

yeah hermes, I bet you can.

Miss G D, I totally agree, I badly crave a cigaret after running or biking. Oddly enough, I light one as soon as I finished, while I'm still catching my breath.

LeeLoreya said...

Do you keep your fat? (think fight club)

Hermes said...

Complimenting Commenter. Again, another thoughtful comment. Thank you. I will remember your words of encouragement on my next run.

LeeLoreya. I wish I could afford liposuction... I'd do it in a heartbeat. Here's something to chew on...

FACT: we retain EVERY cell of fat we build since birth. When you lose weight, you merely SHRINK your fat cells.

WordWhiz said...

I always recommend your blog to CC when he asks for nominations for worthy targets to compliment.

I ran for a while in college. I liked it because it gave me runner's legs. I never got a runner's high. I did get shin splints. Does that count? It is more important to LOOK good than to FEEL good, right?

I don't think I can claim only 3% body fat, but I was blessed with a relatively high metabolism, so I don't pack on the fat too badly. Thank goodness because I'm wicked lazy when it comes to exercise and I like to eat all the most fattening foods! Give me ice cream or give me death!

Alas...I don't know where to bring the whiskey. Hopefully this post indicates that you are no longer in need of nursing assistance.

Damn, I'm such a flirt!

WordWhiz said...

Liposuction scares me. It would be nice if it could just redistribute the fat. Sort of like spring cleaning - empty some out of the lower two drawers and move it all to the top!! :-D

Hermes said...

Sar. Hey, you know what? I take my future career as a Chippendale quite seriously. You think the Chippendale organization is going to take just any scrub off the street?

I've dated rail thin model types. I've come to the conclusion I can't STAND "skin and bones." I've always gravitated toward women who are fit and toned... who have obviously logged hours in the gym. Give me fitness model over runway model any day of the week.

Danny. We all have our physical preferences. But in the end, like you, I'm going ultimately wind up with someone who stimulates me mentally. Someone who makes me laugh. Looks come secondary.

Wordwhiz. I'd like to just suck it all out of there forever. Years of Chocolate chip cookies, pizza, and ice-cream... GONE.

Scribe Called Steff said...

I'm having a hard time getting over a couple years of constant injuries (car accident, scooter accident, and three blown knees), but I'm finally getting to the end of it. Put my busted knee through some serious paces the other night for the first time since I was on crutches three months over the winter, and it's lived to tell.

It's nice to be able to pursue that feeling again. I have weight to lose still, but I've lost about 65 lbs just from exercise. (Dieting is dumb, and yummy food is yummy, and exercise feels good, so...)

So, yeah, a good week to post that. If I'd read that about five months ago, I'd have wept. HA.

thelastditch.blogspot.com

Joe said...

I'm with Wordwhiz. Yes to the shin splints, no to the runner's high. I understand the mental element to running, but I just do not have the legs for it.

LeeLoreya said...

uh man I'm not gonna defend crazy skinny girls because it's true that about 93% of those aren't naturally skinny (and the left 7% get shit everyday about being born with long thin limbs and a fast metabolism), but I don't think that their purpose in being skinnny is to seduce. This whole thing about blaming it on the media and rail thin models is not entirely true. In the end, they run to forget their bodies, because they don't want to be thin, they just want to vanish, and not exit as a body anymore.

Jay said...

Cool stuff. Just stay away from the tiny shorts.

WordWhiz said...

Oh no...if you have legs like a soccer player, do NOT stay away from the tiny shorts!!! Runner's legs are awesome!

RuKsaK said...

Ladies and Gentlemen - what we have is a walking, talking, breathing-as-we-read, honest-to-God writer here.

Hermes - don't forget us when your name is verticalling down some paperback spines.

Adrian said...

You can actualy have 3% body fat? Sorry, I like my low-fat Edies Caramel Delight ice cream too much.

I used to run all of the time, but now I just stick to the Tai Chi and the Yoga. I think you get that same sort of high in Yoga; all endorphin rush and afterglow feel.

As for women it's about the curves. Sophia Loren. Monica Bellucci. Marilyn.

Va-va-voom.

LeeLoreya said...

jeez bellucci is really a star over there, n'est-ce-pas, Sar?

Hermes said...

Sar. You don't have to answer that... I already know your stance on the Chippendales.

Tattooed Brain. You too? I lift at lunch and then do cardio (run, rope) later on in the evening when it's cooler.

Steff. I'm glad to hear you're exercising again. It truly does improve your overall mood and happiness. 65 lbs? Damn! Congrats!

As cliche as this sounds, I'm a firm believer when you look good, you FEEL good.

Hermes said...

Digitalicat. Shin splints? Those are the worst. They usually go away in about 3 weeks. A lot of ice and ibuprofin will usually help.

LeeLoreya. I'm sick of the media being blamed for everything. I wish people would start taking reposnibility for their own actions. You're right.

Jay. Thanks. So does that mean the daisy dukes have to go?

Wordwhiz. As a matter of fact, I DO have soccer legs... I played soccer all through high school. I'm very unamerican. I'm not really into football and basketball. Soccer is by far my fav sport...oh, and figure skating.

Ruksak. You are much to kind with your praise. Thanks, I appreciate that.

Aydreeyin. mmmm, Sophia Loren. She is BEAUTIFUL. The lowest I've ever reached is 5 percent. (this was about 3 years ago) I'm currently carrying myself at about 9 percent. I'm way too addicted to chocolate chip cookies and pasta.

I've thought about taking up Yoga. It looks very fulfilling.

SierraBella said...

"Sweat drips off my brow into my smiling eyes." I like it.
Would your mouth be agape in a rictus of both pain and pleasure? Now where have I seen that before?

Hermes said...

Sierrabella. "Rictus?" That word sounds so naughty doesn't it?

To answer your question, yes... it was. As the beads of sweat rolled down my back seeking solace in my underwear.

Joe said...

If I had imagined you using the phrase "seeking solace in my underwear," I'm sure I would have imagined it in a completely different context.

Scribe Called Steff said...

i prefer pilates to yoga. a lot less frou-frou.