First The Worst

When I was little, it was very important what order us kids arrived in class. As each person arrived after lunch or recess, it would be announced with relish:
     First the Worst!
     Second the Best!*
     Third the Nerd!
     Fourth the Dork!**
     Fifth the...!

Well, actually after 4th place it got a whole lot less interesting as there was no agreed upon title for anyone arriving after 4th.

Now, most people who have achieved first or seen other people achieve first will hardly think it is the worst position. You won't hear many people complaining, "What's that? You got first place? Isn't that just the worst?" When it comes to goals and awards and personal bests, coming in first is pretty special.

But there are times when it is not so special. There are times when "first the worst" actually holds true. I'm talking about any time you train at a new level. It could be going out for a 15 minute walk after spending six months eating potato chips and cookie dough on the couch. It could be stepping up from a 24k run one week to a 28k run the next week***. Or maybe increasing the weights you're lifting by 10%.
Anyone who has ever stepped out for that first bought of exercise (or "stepped up" from a previous level of exercise) will know that the first time they do it is the worst.

And so while yesterday's run - er 'jog' - was a big challenge for me both mentally and physically, today's run was just that much easier. And I can sigh with relief, because I know first the worst is over for now. And while I still can't necessarily agree with "second the best", at least second is getting better. I may have only had time for a 30 minute jaunt today. But - dare I say it - I'm looking forward to the next run! Because first the worst? It's a thing of the past.

For now.



*Some people argued that it was Second the Golden Weapon, but this never really took off.
**Another version was Fourth the Dwarf. We were not very PC.