From the Editors desk of Men's Health

Going the Distance

Most men run marathons for the same reason they build empires, climb mountains, and - let’s face it - chase after beautiful women: to prove themselves. Running a marathon is a crazy act that can feel like self-immolation (just like hitting on a beautiful woman), and it takes a fit mind and body, plus a slightly oversized ego, to even consider it seriously.

So I have nothing but admiration for this month’s cover subject, actor Ryan Reynolds. I’ve run a couple of marathons in my time, and there comes a point – for me, it was about mile 17 – when your sneakers fill with hot coals, your innards with broken glass, and your mind with doubt. That’s when quitting seems like the only rational course of action. The only thing that keeps you putting one foot in front of the other is ego: You must prove to yourself that you’re up to the challenge.

But Reynolds completed the New York City Marathon this past year not to prove himself (with roles in films like Blade: Trinity and the upcoming X-Men : Wolverine, he’s already a Hollywood fitness icon), but to help save someone he loved. His dad, Jim Reynolds, has spent 15 years struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Running on behalf of Michael J Fox’s foundation, Reynolds powered through the even, even while nursing a nasty case of bronchitis. The money and awareness he raised will help put yet another crack in the wall that stands between Parkinson’s sufferers and a cure.

This spring, as we start heading to the gym to fortify ourselves for beach season, we’ll all be better off if we take a lesson from Ryan Reynolds. Yeah, looking good and feeling good are great reasons to hit the gym and give our all. But vanity and ego aren’t the strongest motivators. The truth is, health and fitness are more than just personal goals – they’re gifts we give to the people around us. It will make us better fathers, husbands, friends, lovers… and yes, even better sons.

No, your family may never need you to run a marathon on it’s behalf. But wouldn’t you like to feel that you could… just in case?

By David Zinczenko

Death Race

So the second movie I’m almost ashamed to say I watched :-P was a flick called Death Race, but I was board and it turned out to not be so bad :-p But the main character, who was for all intents and purposes someone who did what he had to do to protect his daughter said this in the end:  “Someone once asked me; did I think I was the best future for my little girl? Somethin’ I thought about for a long time, and this is what I decided. No one in this world is perfect, I know I’m not, but I love her more than anyone else possibly could, in the end, that’s all that matters.” I admired the idea of giving everything for someone you love, and before in our safe little world, I didn’t know how to do that, but now I see as my pastor so often said, that we are at war with sin. I’m not fighting to be good enough, in the end God’s the only one who decides who lives or dies, I’m not fighting because I have to, I can sit back fat and happy and let the world pass me by. I’m fighting out of love, to bless and provide. I’m fighting not because my God or loved one’s won’t accept me and love me regardless, but because I love them, and I will be stong!

Kung Fu Panda

So wile chillin with family I watched two movies, both of which I found inspiring in some way (I know, I always find movies inspiring :-P) One was a movie I rented for the girls (my little sisters) Kung Fu Panda, which they loved and even Dad chuckled a few times J But the thing that stood out to me was when the wise old master tortoise said “The past is history and the future is a mystery, but right now is a gift, that’s why it’s called the PRESENT” It goes along completely with what God’s been teaching me. I’ve never been able to fully live in the present because I was always placing my identity in the past and worrying about the future, ether dreading it or anticipating it. God is teaching me that nothing I’ve done has thrown off His infinite plan and therefore the past’s only use is to learn from, not to live in, and the future is in His hands regardless of what I do so that’s a waste of good brainpower. The present is what the scripture calls us to. Be instant in season and out of season. Whatsoever thy hands find to do, do it with all your might, as unto the Lord. It’s amazing but when I use 100% of the resources God’s given me for right now and not only 10% there’s far more profit. :-P I don’t suck at life anymore! I just suck at changing that past, but who’d’ a guessed that if we serve God today He’ll provide for tomorrow. (and I always thought tomorrow was my job O:-}