I was still wearing my medal after running the PNE 5K Donut Dash that morning — admittedly, one of the most twisted ideas I’ve ever heard of. It’s right up there with the Beer Miles.
A slightly chubby girl, probably aged 10 or 11, came up to me with admiration for it shining in her eyes: “Where did you ever get that?” I let her know she could wait to earn one next year, and that there was actually a good showing of people her age who had done the Dash – and she responded by saying she’d better look ahead a few months before next year’s PNE.
I ran into her again later in the morning, and she asked if I could wait a moment to show her mother the medal and explain how I’d earned it. Her mother jokingly said, “Well, if we did it together, I’d have to walk it!” To which the girl gently nudged and cajoled her once she had confirmed with me that walking was indeed an option.
What Floats your Boat?
Who knows? It might be the spark that will get her going on a more active path. I say, whatever it takes to get that happening!
And on my end, I want to keep my own random factor in fitness. I may eventually be able to stretch the proverbial 80/20 rule (of clean eating and good movement choices) as far as 95/5 one day, but in the meantime, bring on the occasional donut.