The jog

I threatened to start jogging last week but have been putting it off.

So, here we go ...

Into the closet.

I don't go for the typical, effete jogging attire. No shiny vinyl short shorts with piping.

No headbands.

I would never wear a headband, even if it was all I had to stanch the bleeding from a massive head wound.

I like to keep it simple. Nothing fancy.

Not like those running club nuts. Since when did jogging become so complicated?

Some nights more than 10 of these people will run up and down my hilly street.

They wear what look like neoprene suits with reflectors everywhere, bouncing lights off the dazed eyes of drivers trying to to get home from work and park their cars.

I used to walk out on my front porch to enjoy a cigarette and quietly chuckle at these uncoordinated folks shuffling along in frighteningly skin-tight clothes, going up and down the street (for some reason they religiously avoid the sidewalk), trying to eke out words of encouragement to each other but choking on their own phlegm. You'd think they were climbing Everest or running the Boston Marathon.

What happened to solitary and simple? What happened to grey sweats?

Okay, so I've found some old jogging pants from my university days.

They seem to have shrunk a little after hundreds of washes, but they should do. Though I am a little worried the legs will ride up above my ankles.

I've also found a simple grey sweatshirt. Though the elasticity in the cuffs has gone. I hate it when I push up my sleeves and they just roll back down.

And, finally, I found some running shoes in basement storage. A pair of New Balance trainers. Thing is, I never wore them that much. So I can tell they're going to rub my big toes raw.

I can do this.

I get changed, make sure my iPod is fully charged.

But I notice that all I have is the standard-issue iPod earphones, the white ones attached by a loose wire. I find those don't stay in place like the earphones with the rigid over-the-head structure.

Nevertheless, onward.

I take a deep breath and open the front door.

But there's a fine dusting of snow on the sidewalk.

Probably safest if I wait until tomorrow.

Comments

[Marty]

I see you are still having a hard time easing off the nasty weed...if I could do it then YOU can do it just as well as I could. I smoked Marlboros for 3 years at a rate of 2 packs a day easily and when pressure time was around like my graduate school exams were around the corner, I did 3 packs daily.
I quit May 24, 1975 meaning this May will be my 33rd year since. At 55 cents a pack, it cost me $425 yearly and that was expensive. Imagine today...we're looking at close to $6,500 a year. Now, that is what I consider a sheer waste of money that can be really used for yourself like a beautiful holiday to the Caribbean or even Europe AND you would still have money left from that amount. Or even use that as a down payment on the car you always wanted or toward reducing your house mortgage. The possibilities are endless.
I know it "ain't" easy to stop but...I did it cold turkey, right on the day I graduated with my Masters. Stopped right there. How? Hundreds of pounds of constant gum and keeping your mind occupied on things other than smoking. Walking, partaking in sports, doing things you want to do.
You will see the difference right away - no more damned smell on yourself, your hair, women will notice you better, your teeth will look nicer, clothes will stay fresher longer AND the best part is...you will regain 100% of your smell senses and taste senses too. Food never tasted so good after I quit. Even after 33 years I still savour the nice smells everywhere that I had missed before and eating all kinds of food, too.
I had to have x-rays taken in the mid 1970s due to a broken rib and at the same time the doctor could not see the lung lining because they were so black from the nicotine. I knew about it and they said it'd take 8 years to clean the lungs. Five years later, x-rays again for another reason and I could see some lining of my lungs compared with the first set of xrays. two years ago, I had x-rays again for a bad cold. The doctor had all the old x-rays and he was impressed at how clean my lungs were...10 years not 8 years later. The point is I am glad as hell I have a pair of healthy lungs now and appreciate it.
You gotta do it...it ain't that bad. These words are coming from someone who probably smoked a lot more than you did. And do it while you are still young. You can do it! The very best to you!
Sincerely, Marty

[Guylaine]

I am quitting with you. I love this blog. Thanks for the entertainment. I find it quite useful (in a very strange way) to think, write, read about smoking to try to quit smoking. Reinforcing behaviours I usually associate with smoking also helps me (hmmm? that is strange also?). For example, the first week, I forced myself to drink coffee every morning and beer every evening without cigarettes? Masochistic but effective. I have now replaced one bad habit by a few others! On a serious note, I feel healthier and better every day. It's worth it and the surging moments of nostalgia seem to diminish in quantity and intensity. Thanks for the writing and good luck.

[Maria]

My husband and I both quit smoking together about 5 years ago.
The money we saved was used to pay for our daughter's four-year university education. Our daughter has now completed her degree and every time I look at her I am reminded that we made the right choice.
Stay strong.

[Ron]

Exercise is a great way to counter the effects of nicotine withdrawal. You've already saved enough money to go out and buy some new jogging threads. There's lots of great "non-effete" gear out there. Treat yourself. And if you haven't already, start throwing the money you would have spent on cigarettes into a jar or box or whatever. You'll be amazed how fast it adds up. I bought myself a new TV and stereo with the proceeds when I first quit.