Well, last week I presented you with a challenge. Join me for the Fox Cities Community First Marathon, participating in the event of your choice. The invitation is still open. You are still welcome. If you haven't received an official invite via Facebook and you want in, let me know. Your options include a 5K, 1/2 marathon walk or run, full marathon or marathon relay (4 or 5 people split the 26.2 mile race).
I am worried that some people might be questioning my motivation here. I don't want to come off as a know-it-all or give the impression that I am some fabulous athlete. On the contrary, I have a long way to go and could use some support! I'm doing this to share the joy of the accomplishment but also to learn from your journey. At the very least, I just want to facilitate a way for us all to learn and grow together. I'm hoping to get to know some of you better and get closer to those of you I already know and love.
With that being said, several of you have commented that you are going to need some extra support or guidance. Many have asked me where to start. All of you are starting at different places, so here is what I will suggest. Those of you who have a head start, do your thing. Newbies, this week, at some point, you need to complete a one mile course. You can walk, run or a combination of both but I want you to time yourself and write it down somewhere. They did this at the beginning of last season's Biggest Loser and I loved it because it will give you a place to look back to at the end when a mile no longer seems like a challenge but a warm up.
This mile can occur anywhere. No treadmill? Walk outside. YES, I know it's cold. NO MORE EXCUSES!!! Bundle up and move your body. You won't freeze to death walking outside and a mile will not take you any longer than 20 minutes or so, even as a beginner. Oh, but who will watch my kid (s)? Again, this excuse can't fly anymore. Figure it out. Walk on your lunch break, drop them off somewhere, pay a high schooler or tell your husband that this is your time. For goodness sake, call me. I'll watch your kids while you work out, and I'm not even joking. I don't care how you do it but you must find a way to make time for yourself. This will be one of the hardest challenges but also one of the key points to successfully reaching your goal.
Next, you must have decent shoes. I understand the financial burden of good walking or running shoes. But please trust me. You can spend 40 bucks at Kohls or Shopko right now and one of the following things will likely happen. You will either get hurt or you will end up buying another pair of shoes. I know this because I have spent hundreds of dollars messing around with cheap shoes and shin splints. Please consider going to RunAway Shoes in Oshkosh or Fleet Feet in Appleton and being properly fitted for shoes. (I'm sure similar stores exist outside this area).Don't let it scare, embarrass, or intimidate you. The staff is very considerate of new runners and they will help you choose a shoe that will work for you and hopefully help prevent injuries. There is a lot of great running gear to spend money on but the only thing you really need is decent shoes. The rest is all just fun.
Finally, start talking and reading, as much as you can. Talk to other runners at all levels and find out what worked for them. In this group alone you have good resources. Sara Radloff, Shaunda Jennings, Erin Endreson, Rebecca Yancy Lorge, and Brenda Velissaris have all completed half marathons. Diana Malkowski and Erin Moldenhauer have both run full marathons! Send these women messages and ask questions. I know all of them would be happy to share their experiences. (I also know they all wear decent shoes.) Get on the web and scour running sites, active.com, and anything else you can find. Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser has great workouts on his site.
Read Runner's World. At first, it will seem that it only applies to "real runners" but sooner or later that group will include you and the information you learn from reading will have been instrumental in getting you there. One word of caution, not everything you learn will apply to you. Everyone's bodies and limits are different. Take what works for you and let the rest go. Don't pressure yourself to be at the same training point as someone else. Just stay focused on your own goals.
Today is the first day of the new year. We have 259 days, plenty of time, to reach our goals. I am personally so excited by the responses I have received from all of you. Kudos to Laura Albright who hopped right on her treadmill and did 2+ miles the FIRST TIME!!! I can't wait to hear about your progress! All of you. It's going to be a wonderful year.
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