Tough week out on the roads for me. In my last blog, I mentioned that I wrapped up last week with a great run Saturday morning. I took off Sunday and I knew that I couldn't run Monday due to travel. What I didn't plan for was my Dad ending up in the hospital and needing surgery. And that surgery was Tuesday. So off the plane and a drive out to Worcester. To complicate matters, he didn't go in for the surgery until 5:30pm. Who the heck STARTS surgery at 5:30 pm? Anyway, by the time he got out and we got the all clear it was around 9pm. So my plans (more about planning later) for T-W-Th-Sat runs were altered. I ended up with two runs, a decent 4.5 miler Thursday night and then an OK 6.5 this morning with the CRR group. Not a great week but let's put things into perspective. I got two runs done in a week that included work travel and visiting my parents during a difficult time. Thats a good week.
So again, perspective. I hear from so many people that they started a running program but couldn't stay with it. Injury, busy schedules, boredom.....I've heard them all. Many are legitimate, many are carefully crafted excuses. Let's look at some of the latter and help you eliminate them one by one.
Injuries - they happen, you can't eliminate the possibility but you can greatly reduce the chances. In an earlier blog I talked about footwear. Bottom line, get fitted for your first pair. Find out if you need a stability shoe or if a neutral cushioning shoe will do. Then spend a few extra dollars and buy a pair from a running store. Find a brand and a model that works, and stick with it. Once you find a model that works, then you can go online if you want to save a few dollars on your next pair. Personally, I get fitted every time I buy a pair. Never know, the body changes. And please, I beg of you, do not buy running shoes based upon how they look. You will NEVER wear them for anything other than running. Overheard at a race.....young lady complimenting a friend on the fact that her brand new Nike Free 5.0's matched her "outfit". Followed by.....no lie....."I love them, they hurt my feet but they are so cool looking." The physical therapist reading this are smiling.....cha-ching!!!!
Schedules - I've heard them all. Kids, work, etc.... Very, very convenient. Believable. Bullshit. Yes, I am calling bullshit on you if you have convinced yourself that you cannot find the time to exercise. Disclaimer: If you are a single parent with young children, this is not for you. If you can find time to exercise, you are a rock star. Likewise, you may be dealing with health issues that prevent you from running. But for the rest of us, it's time to be honest with ourselves. Assuming we sleep 8 hours, and work maybe another 10 hours with commutes included, there are 6 hours left from which to get everything else done. Yes, we have to move kids around, feed the family, and a host of other obligations. Where will we ever fit in running for 30 minutes? The time is there, you simply haven't prioritized it. Here's a challenge for you. Get two pieces of paper. Make two lists. List one: your priorities in life. List two: how you spend you time every day. My guess is your health is somewhere near the top of your priorities list. Probably up there right after family. Now go to your typical day.....is exercise near the top? Are the two lists simpatico? If not, fix it. Sooner than later while you still can. Personally, I count my health as part of my family obligation. I am determined to see my girls married and settled down with families. That depends on me staying somewhat fit and healthy. I will be 50 this year and we have an almost 12 year old. If she has babies at 32, I will be 70. I want my grandchildren to have healthy, viable grandparents. I run for them.....
Dedication - so we have you in good shoes, we have convinced you that running needs to be a priority. (or some sort of exercise for 30 minutes/day). The next hurdle and cause of failure is lack of a plan. Humans are planners. We make lists of things to do. Some plan better than others but when we wake up every day we have some sort of plan for the day ahead. If you are running only when you have a gap, when you can fit it in, you are setting yourself up for failure. For example, how many times has it gone this way. I think I will run tonight after work. At noon, text from friend. Meet for a drink at 7? Sure, see you then. Work runs a little late, instead of getting home at 5:30 and running from 6-6:30pm, you get home at 6pm. No way you get your run in, shower up and meet at 7pm. Maybe the old you just blew off the run because you promised your friend you would meet at 7. The new you texts the friend and says "see you at 7:30, something came up, sorry. Absent some sort of emergency, the time you blocked for your run is set in stone. Put yourself first.
Expectations - be reasonable. If you are in your 40's, or even 50's or later.....this will not be easy. Start slow. I talked about a run/walk/run program to get started. No shame in not being able to run for a full 30 minutes. Have a goal. Maybe a local 5k is coming up next month. Organized runs (notice I don't call it a race?) are great motivators. Once you are running for all 30 minutes, maybe plan a route that will take you 3 miles. See how it goes. You may have to return to walking some part of the distance but I think you will be surprised at how far you have come since that first day. You will remember your first day as the day that your heart felt like it was about to explode, your lungs were burning, and you were sweating like you were in Death Valley. But then you show up to run that 5k. Get your t-shirt and bib number. And then you find out that there are dozens of people just like you. You don't come in last, in fact you finish before quite a few people. Even some younger than you!!! Thats a good feeling. Thats the feeling of accomplishment that will become your motivation. Heck, before you know it you are toeing the line for a 5 miler, a 10k, or even a half marathon! Nonsense you say? You have one thing in common with every man and woman that has ever run a marathon......we all remember how much those first few runs really sucked. But we are so glad we got our priorities straight and took control of our health.
Enjoy the weekend!
Run FOR life, not from it!
JD
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