Newton’s first law of motion states that “a body in motion stays in motion.” After a night of rest, it’s often difficult to get your body moving again because “a body at rest seeks more rest.” It’s this tug-of-war between motion and rest that determines what you get accomplished in any given day, especially since rest is easier than motion. It’s simple physics!

Please understand that I’m not trying to preach to you, but rather to motivate myself. I fight this very battle every day, driven by maintaining “The Streak” that now proudly stands at 3,806 consecutive days (10.42 years). I’m ranked at #209 on the USRSA “Active Streak” list far behind leader Jon Sutherland who just remarkably crossed the 50-year mark this past weekend. He’s my age, at 67 and a writer based out of West Hills, California. Obviously, weather and job flexibility give him the freedom to maintain this daily regimen of getting his body in motion. I can also say from experience that getting older only adds to the challenge. My only hope of moving up on the list is attrition, as over 50% of the top 50 “streakers” are my age or older. I’m just as stiff, tired, and sore as any of them. 

To stop running would be traumatic for me because it only takes a single step to get your body in motion. Regardless of how you feel, once in motion, it stays in motion. In the process, you start to feel better and before you know it you’ve crossed the finish line. I struggle with my attitude every morning, but never regret the sense of accomplishment. I ran every day before work, sometimes adjusting the mileage to my schedule, and I’ve continued to run every day in retirement. Running provided a bridge between these two stages of my life. 

Take that first step and get your body in motion. Steps lead to miles, and miles to good health. It works for me, just as they say “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” A similar apple hit Isaac Newton in the head and led to his theories on gravity and motion. You don’t have to be a genius to know that running is just a matter of getting your body in motion. The first step is always the toughest, especially after getting out of bed every morning.