I trained for a marathon to get me going- It was a personal challenge of sorts, and my friends had placed heavy peer pressure on me, by telling me that there was no way I'd ever be able to do it.

Now, I just see exercise as part of being a complete person. we're supposed to have a sound body in addition to a sound mind. Most techies that I meet don't seem to care for physical fitness. It's the nerd role in reverse. Just as we thought it stupid that athletes never studied, we're pretty stupid if we don't get off our butts and exercise.

My personal philosophy is that we're here for a limited time period- I want to spend that time maximizing my genetic potential as much as possible - in the classroom, with my interactions with other people, and in the gym.