Fun Friday: Are You Going to Be a Wimp?

Image details: Running on Treadmills served by picapp.com

I started running again this spring - I haven’t really run since law school (gosh, that’s getting further and further away). For my first big event, I’m training for the Philadelphia Marathon’s Rothman Institute 8k - it’s in November and it is a great event for me to work towards. It’s a daunting challenge but I am really excited (hey, if you’re in Philly, why not join me for the race? race organizers are expecting a full house).

Let me put that in perspective a little bit. Since law school, I have gotten married, opened a law firm, started blogging and had three children, among other things. I am tired, overscheduled and out of shape. I enjoy eating cheese and bacon. I am clearly not the poster child for Runners World. Running is not something that easily slips into my schedule or my lifestyle.

Nonetheless, I have been, for a couple of months, dragging my butt out of bed every morning around 5am to go for a run or walk with friends. I can tell that it’s paying off - I no longer get winded going up “the hill.” Running a mile doesn’t freak me out anymore - I can now manage 5k nicely. I will not be qualifying for the Olympics by any stretch of the imagination but I may make a respectable finish at the 8k (I just don’t want to finish last).

But why running? Why now?

I’m not quite sure. While training, I saw this quote and was struck by it:

Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’ - Peter Maher

And maybe that’s why I run: I love a challenge. I love the sense of accomplishment when I start something and finish.

It’s much the same reason why I opened my law firm and started my tax blog. I want to get up every day and be excited about what I do. Tax policy to me is exciting and interesting and challenging. It would be a lot easier to just go to the office, do my work, and come home - but what would be the fun in that?

I love thinking about new ideas, answering questions from readers and finding out what my peers have to say about tax. I read every comment on my blog - you guys offer great food for thought. It keeps me on my toes, for sure.

When I’m writing, I often have much of the same thought processes as I do when running - this idea that I have to try a little harder, go a little further. At the end, just as when I cross that finish mark, I love looking at a post and thinking that maybe I contributed a little to the conversation in the blogosphere this morning.

Writing, like running, keeps me strong.

So please keep stopping by and leaving your comments. Always feel free to leave suggestions - I’m always open for new topics and new series.

And off of the blog track, I’d love to hear from my readers: What is it that says to you each day: ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’