Rest Day?

The weekend for us is not a lazy time as it is for many who take a few hour hours extra sleep and think that it will benefit them in some way. Instead Saturday and Sunday are often days when we have a little more time to enjoy our sport. I find it interesting and quite telling that within our circle of friends, who also enjoy keeping themselves as fit as they can, that a good number of them serve as fire or police officers, as well as quite a few for work in the medical profession as nurses, doctors or paramedics. They need to be fit and strong for their lifestyle that involves helping people who have not taken care of their own health. Why do so many other people not see the benefit of a little training as an aid to their general health. Its a most enormous mystery to me, totally baffling. We are surely all responsible for ourselves, our safety and our own health. The other day I saw a sign that read 'There is no elevator to success you have to take the stairs'. Well that goes for your health and fitness too surely; you have to make the effort or pay the price.
The following are about my training for my sport of triathlon. Sometimes it is not easy but I do it anyway for the long term aim but other days it is simple fun or sheer joy. 

Not Thinking in Water

 

Moving well within my comfort zone

Strokes fitting my normal breathing pace

All muscles relaxed yet still in tone

Falling through thoughts unknown

Like floating off into deepest space. 

Swimming seems so natural and calm

Warm up pace, steady, slow, not in a race

A physical offering like a quiet psalm

Dreams of Hawaii and a swaying palm

Leave concentration and with peace replace.  

From all work and duty a mind is thrown

Moving so calmly in a state of grace

Out of muscle memory ease has grown

Seeds so long ago were casually sown

Of starting struggles there is no trace. 

Over time these movements became balm

Practice worked out what faults to efface

Water slips over a mouth and thinks no harm

Silken movement the body doth becalm

Pleasures repetition; sense of touch embrace. 

Breathing’s normal rhythm unthinking known

Hands skilfully hold the water to displace

In peace, with nought for which to atone

Just a swimmer swimming slowly all alone

No wrong to right or satisfaction chase .

 

Turning, Turning

Turning legs in circles riding a bicycle

Layers of clothes yet feel like an icicle

Stationary though with the TV on

Bed vacated and all sleep gone

Six o’clock on a winter morn

In December that’s still short of dawn

Better than road riding in the dark

Jack Frost has big teeth like a shark

Oh please God will you make it warmer

Can spring be around the very next corner?

 

Running for Reward 

Every weekend in the morning on our day of rest

We get up quickly and don a light running vest

We drive a few miles to the usual place to meet

Sun glasses on our face and trainers on our feet

Two start earlier than the other friend

Tortoise and hare we play until the end

We all stretch our bodies chatting one to another

Soothing out muscles to help us recover

Virtuously exercised and scenery well noted

We then take turns to see which tea shop is voted

Which of the pleasures is greater we ask for a lark

The coffee house visit or the run in the park?