Stress-breaker

As many of you may already know, this blog and the related podcast, iExercise, originate to some degree from Texas Public Radio. I’m James Baker, and my day job (which is actually an evening shift) is hosting classical music on the radio. I’m also a working musician in addition to being a wannabee athlete. But what is important here is the relationship to public radio. I’ll only say it once because I don’t want to sound like a commercial, but if you are reading this and live in the broadcast range of Texas Public Radio (KSTX-89.1 fm, KPAC-88.3 fm, and KTXI-90.1 fm) I encourage you to become a member of Texas Public Radio. Go online to TPR.org to find out more. Please remember that First Tri(athlon) (this blog) and iExercise would not be here if not for Texas Public Radio.


The real reason I mention public radio is that the week of a pledge, or fund, drive is very stressful. I am sure all of you have moments of high stress, whatever your day jobs may be, so listen up. Stressed out, I left work late this afternoon, rode my bicycle to the gym, swam a mile of so, then biked on home. The ride to the gym was challenging in late rush hour traffic, but once I hit the water the stress washed away. After an hour of working out, I left the gym just as some storm clouds lingered in the dimming twilight. The air, cooled by scattered showers, was just right and the ride home was ecstasy.

We train for our health. We train for upcoming competitions where for the most part we compete against ourselves. We train to look good and feel good and all of this is reason enough to make the effort. But today my training was a stress-breaker. It turned a difficult day into a positive day and reminded me that this too is why we exercise.

Turn your day around. Go for a walk, a bike ride, to the gym. Help yourself feel good. And if you want to feel even better, make a pledge to Texas Public Radio.