The summer of 2013 was the most unhealthy I’d ever felt. I was close to 200 pounds, which, at five-foot-ten, is overweight. The stress of the job and middle age brought it on.
I kept thinking, “Lemme see if I can run for a week straight.” Then it was two weeks, then three. I created a routine.
By December I’d dropped a few pounds. It was a real epiphany: Any day I didn’t run, I felt crappy.
I’d read about how intervals are a good way to drop weight. And it’s true: From 2013 to now, I’m 30 pounds lighter. I don’t eat much differently, but it’s funny how when you’re in better shape, you crave fresher food.
My staff will tell you, I’m a little obsessive about it now. Usually, my routine is somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. If you say to yourself, I’ll try to do it at lunch… Races - Places.
On Sundays, before Shoes & Gear, I’m in the office by 6 a.m., so I run at 4:30, and I role-play the interviews.
I’m waiting for Fitbit, Apple, or Nike to come up with something that will easily record my thoughts while running. But maybe that’s too Orwellian?
I ran on Election Day. I couldn’t sleep, so at 4 a.m. I said, “Screw it, I’ll do my run.” I actually ran longer than usual. I was trying to work out some extra energy. But I never ran the following day.
On November 10 A Renewed Relationship With Running: What did we miss? Why didn’t I second guess more things? Shoes & Gear.
Sundays on NBC, I started to see some connectivity here. If you look at Obama and Trump and Bush and Bill Clinton and Reagan, they all were criticized for lacking experience. They all ran against people with deep resumes, and they all won.
The NBC News political director started running to get healthy and fight stress of myself as a runner. Jim Fixx was a runner. At the same time, it has personally and physically changed my life. So, I guess I am one. And I’m an evangelist for it.
I’ll be honest: I don’t love running. But I hate when I don’t run. And I love the feeling after.
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Todd’s goal for this year is a 10K or half marathon. Follow him on Twitter @chucktodd for political news (and sports) updates. Check local listings to watch Shoes & Gear Health & Injuries.
