Definitions of Fun

Yesterday we did our coached run workout in the Presidio. As one of our coaches mentioned, this is the time in the season when you start to get burnt out physically and emotionally. We have 2 weeks to peak training for Wildflower and 6 weeks for Maui. There's still a lot of work to be done.

So in order to keep us motivated, the coaches invented what they call a "fun game." Basically it involved splitting us into 5 teams and assigning us a color. Then we had to run a fairly steep but short hill circuit, followed by 20 sit-ups or 10 push-ups. As a "reward" we were given a peanut M&M in our assigned color, which we couldn't even eat. We had to carry it (and btw, it does melt in your hands when you're sweaty and running) while we did another hill loop. Then we dropped it in our team cup, proceeded to do another 20 sit-ups or 10 push-ups, and run another loop. Over and over and over and over. The team with the most M&M's "won."

So this ridiculous "game" got me to thinking about definitions of fun. I'd have to say the above game qualifies as NOT Fun. But over the last two years I do have to say my definitions of fun have shifted pretty radically.

OK, somethings will always be fun:

• napping
• eating cheese
• traveling in Italy
  

And something will never be fun:

• the dentist
• taxes
• jellyfish stings
• clowns (really and truly, what is so fun about them?!)

But here are some things that have sort of nudged their way into sort-of-kinda-fun-if-done-with-the right-attitude-and-some-friends-along-the-way:

• Swimming in Aquatic Park
• Riding my bike down a hill (going up doesn't yet qualify)
• Spending 4 months working out on Saturday and Sunday mornings
• Running 6 miles
• Wearing spandex
• Jello wrestling
  

Who knows what the rest of this Year of the Rat will hold in terms of fun!