Tired

We looked for the call number of a particular book, and find it. I ask if the student has ever been in the stacks to know how to find the book, and he has not. I am happy to show him. We start the climb up the 30 steps to the second floor. My legs complain. I ignore them. At the top, still conversing with the student, I find myself out of breath, but try to cover my huffing and puffing.

We locate the book and he stays to peruse the shelf while I head back down. Now I have a meeting upstairs, and begin the long trek again. My legs are shouting and trying to wobble. I ignore them. How will I get any strength and tone if I never work these muscles? Again at the top I am huffing and puffing. Good. Breathe deeply.

I go home for lunch and climb the 20 steps there. My legs want to buckle, but I am relentless. You will do this. Of course, I grab the handrail and do some pulling just to help out a bit. This time I am not huffing or puffing at the top. Progress! (and fewer steps).

When I am recovering from chemo, I usually take the elevator, but I have decided not to baby myself even when I am affected by toxins. The more I move, the sooner the bad stuff will leave my system. Reference desk shift brings several more opportunities to climb those daunting stairs, and I do it with determination. My legs think my brain has gone south, but they have no option except to obey.

I am tired just sitting. So why should I give in to that and just sit? If I am going to be tired anyway, I might as well get on with it and use my built in stair stepper. The tiredness will pass either way. It always does. Not exactly 'no pain, no gain' but in the long run, I will be stronger for it.