I am excited.
This weekend coming up (July 16th) I will finally be running in my first 5k race 🙂
http://www.oymp.net/Raceinfo/teterboro_airport_5k.htm
Why am I excited about this? Well, about a year ago I could hardly run a quarter of a mile. I mean, at that point, I was heavier and not in great shape. But even now, I am 47 (soon) and have mild arthritis in BOTH knees, so for me, the ability to run 5k is pretty awesome.
Frankly, I never thought of myself as a runner. Even when I was in my late teens/early 20’s when I was in the Navy running and I did not get along too well 🙂
So what’s different now?
With the stresses of everyday life, and the responsibilities of being a husband, father and bread winner, this is a good – and cheap – way to reduce stress (which is important for so MANY reasons) as well as lose weight as I get older. 47 is no spring chicken 😉
In the beginning, I was more walker than runner. And all on the treadmill. But little by little I would crank the speed on the treadmill – more to just change things up than anything else. I bore easily.
After a while, I move this outdoors. Even over the winter, in 17 deg. temperature, I was out there, walking.
Little by little I would add some running to my walks. Half mile. A mile. You get the idea.
So far, the furthest I have been able to go is 4 miles. But more will come in time, I am sure. As I lose weight, the knees feel a bit better and I go a bit longer. As I wrote in one of the first posts on this blog, I have a goal to run ina marathon. Perhaps not this year. But I will.
It all starts with a step. One at a time. If I can do it, anyone can.
