I realized the other day that I exercise best when I have a measurable goal. Living longer and improving my general health is good and all, but obviously has not been sufficient to get me into a regular exercise routine. So, I set a goal. I turn 55 in April. Perhaps there is enough muscle and lung capacity to run 5K by 55? It has a nice ring to it.
Typically when I get such notions, I start fast, hurt myself, grow to despise the whole idea, and conclude that even people who exercise die, so why bother.
I needed help. A little research showed me that, of course, “There’s an app for that.” (Follow that link; you won’t be disappointed.)
I landed on a spunky little gal called “Couch to 5K“. The name pretty well summed up my situation, so I shelled out the $2.99. What I now have is a lady (I could change her to a man, but I’ll stick with the default for now) who three days each week tells me how long to warm up, when to run, when to walk, when to run again, when to walk again, and when to cool down.
I’ve been at this for over four weeks now. I do what she says. Today I combined running five minutes with walking three. Wednesday the plan is to run eight minutes, walk for five, and run for another eight. Slowly, slowly, she is working me up to the point where, I do believe, I’ll be able to do this.
So, my goal date is the Corporate 5K, April 14, in Orlando. It is an evening run/walk attracting nearly 13,000 people. I think I just might pull this off.
Better still is that my ten year old son is training with me. We, with my wife walking, should be able to run it together, though, if today is any indication, ‘together’ is meant loosely. I expect to see a lot of his back.
And that is priceless.
Jenifer Hanson
Randy, I think this is an admirable and do-able goal! I know several people who’ve used the “Couch to 5k” training program successfully. Please provide periodic updates – one thing I believe is you can never have too many cheerleaders when you’re pursuing a fitness goal. I realize that’s not usually your style, but running a 5k isn’t something you usually do, either!
Randy Greenwald
Cheerleaders are always helpful. I waited until now to say anything in case I gave up before I really got started!
Adri
“Today I combined funning five minutes with walking three.”
Oops! This is how it showed up when I read the post; looks like now you’ve corrected it.
I love it! And am trying to figure out if it was a typo or a Freudian slip. Funning sounds like the kind of exercise I’d enjoy.
Go Randy! – and your companions!
Randy Greenwald
Yes, I let that out the door before passing it by my copy editor. She has since fixed it. But yes, funning sounds like something I could get into!