You know that saying;

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

Sometimes the answers that we seek are right in front of our very eyes, it’s just a matter of opening them and taking a look.

A couple weeks before all this finger felon business went down I’d read an article on Mark’s Daily Apple called The Case Against Cardio.  (If you already love exercise and have no problem making time for a regular run or workout, that article is worth a read.)  It got me thinking that regular, lower intensity work outs can be A-OK.  Maybe even better than ok – maybe slowing down is actually a really good thing.

So while I was intrigued by this concept, I don’t think I really changed much. Maybe that article was my sign to slow down – but I didn’t do it fast enough?  So the universe infected my finger to make me slow down faster?  Where’s that sign that says I’m crazy?

Thanks to finger fun combined with my desire to stay active, I’ve been doing a lot of walk/run/walking lately… heavy on the walking, light on the running.  The jarring from running actually hurt my finger after it was sliced open, so I’ve had no choice but to walk with just a sprinkle of running.

It seemed like the stupidest thing I could have ever said though: “I can’t run because my finger hurts.” Yeah, sure lady.  But hey, my finger was giving me a sign, and it wasn’t the sign to steal second or the one my middle finger sometimes likes to give.

And you know what?  I’ve enjoyed walking more!  Who’da thunk?  It’s been nice to slow down and give my body a break without feeling like I’m not staying fit.

This is where I have to admit I was feeling up to a run on Saturday and got a quick 5 miles in that evening – signs be damned.

Doctor’s Orders: No running for two weeks?  Well… how ’bout one week and two days?  I felt ready and it felt fabulous. Probably the best run I’ve had in a long, long time.  I felt like I was flying, and I’m sure it’s because my legs were so rested.

The point is, it was nice to think about the fact that yes, I can still run.  And when I do get to run – I might even enjoy it even more.   And even though my finger is finally up to running again, I’m going to keep on walking.  Walk/run/walking if I like, with some regular runs too because I do love it and I know I would miss it.  I can still run – just less. Heck, if I missed my slow down sign the first time, I’m not going to miss it again! Me and my other nine fingers are afraid not to.

Look for your signs people!  They’re everywhere.  Even seemingly mundane or unrelated things can help you find your way along this bumpy road we call Life.  Sometimes it’s only a matter of thinking in new ways or looking at something from a whole new perspective.  You just have open your eyes and look.