Is Cardio Essential?

[MR. BMJ]

Yea, my cardio is usually done on a stationary bike, or 'just' walking fast/slow on a treadmill. I used to be real fast as a kid in elementary, top 3 in the mile runs, and also sprinting. As i got older, same in soccer and other sports....I was always one of the fastest without putting a lot of effort into it. The only way to get better is to just keep running. You know when you are in good shape when you are running and not breathing hard and in a zone. Again, I'm not an expert, but even from a young age, I learned a lot...just running all the time. There is a point where you give up, or suck it up and kill yourself....I learned how to push it as a kid and endure that pain. It helped me later as I got older in the gym. When you hear of guys like Dante, Dusty Hanshaw, Meadows, Westside/Louie, etc talk about pushing past a barrier where you are on your last rep and about to give up, but then you find a power within yourself to squeeze out another rep, or a few reps, this is what I learned as a kid....it's a certain willpower, pain, and level you put yourself through, and only some can adjust to it. That said, I'd not push myself running like that right now. I have to have a purpose to try and get into running shape, or else i'll just stick to my stationary bike If I were in the mountains, I'd probably do a lot of running and certain drills. However, where I live, there are a lot of Mexican gangs that would like to do a initiation hit job on my big white ass walking or running down the streets. no Bueno for me. I have this persistent ankle problem, and I can feel my knees hurting a lot more these days....but my weight hangs around 270-285 easily, so that is probably why, in addition to lifting heavy squats/hacks/leg presses for many years. I'd have to drop a lot of weight to really be good at running, which I should do at some point soon anyway for overall health.