Running - a provocative activity apparently

A colleague at work reacted this morning when I told her that J had driven me to work.

”Good. I get a guilty conscience when I see you running 5 km to work at 7 in the morning”

I get such delightful comments from time to time. Another favourite is:

”I get tired just looking at you run”

Somehow I fail to see the humour (?) or good will (?) in these comments. I understand that, for some people, the very thought of exercise makes them want to hide under their bed covers. I used to be one of those people. Maybe it has something to do with gym class at school? I don't know. But I got over it. It took determination, it took inspiration, it took getting over injuries and illnesses and juggling training with work and personal life, but I got over it. It was a tough journey at times, when icy rain whipped my face and wintry wind turned my eyelashes into icicles, or when the blistering Mediterranean sun threatened to cook my brain in my scull, but I got over it. And now I can run 5 km and think of it as a warm-up, whereas some years ago the distance loomed over me like an enormous shadow.

So, if I could do it, so can you. Are you healthy and whole? Are you willing? Then there are no excuses. Just get out there and do it. Set your own goals and reach for the stars. Otherwise, quit it with the silly comments. I've already paid my dues.