You Gotta Start Somewhere

I wanted to post this run because I feel that there are so many of you out there who always talk about how you gotta get back into shape, you gotta find the time but right now is not a good time it’s just to _______right now or I have to much _____ going on in my life.  Some of you are maybe working out but keep saying “This is going to be the year I run my first 5k , 10k, 1/2, Full”  Then the time comes and you let that cowardly sentence roll off of your tongue “My training is just not where it should be.”

P.S. that is the number one excuse I hear when I have to downgrade the distance of someone’s race.

Now some of you might think this song is about you and some of you might be saying “those people are so annoying.”  but the reason for the this post and the run attached with it is to show you we all have to start somewhere…I would say I’m an accomplished runner with a few good times and titles under my belt but it has now been a few months since I have done anything to raise my heart above 80bpm, so I have to start somewhere.

I know as sort of a joke, I Facebooked that I power walked a mile the other day…as funny as that was, it was a huge accomplishment for me.  I was so excited to do something outside with out the walking boot on my foot.  Yes I have lost a lot of muscle mass and yes my foot still hurts a bit so I do need to take it slow just as you do when you are starting up…don’t go out and run 6 miles day one like superman/woman that is called fishing for injury.

Also if you do that then I have to hear say “Running is soooo hard, how do you do it.”  I know all of you athletes out there have had that conversation with an old classmate, friend, family member and you always think of something witty to say “I just put one foot in front of the other {fake laugh} {awkward silence} how about those Red Wings?!”

The truth of the matter is it always sucks coming off of injury or coming back from a lengthy time off.  I think as athletes we know that we will get to where we want to be if we just maintain our discipline and get out the door everyday.  Those un-athletes or one night stand exercisers never made it to the point when it becomes enjoyable.  Most people quit there new found exercise program after two weeks and they were never able to truly see the fruits of their labor…don’t be that guy/girl.

I’m sorry for the rant and lengthy post but I really want this to be looked at as having a goal in mind, starting from zero, training smart, and turning your dreams to goals and goals into accomplishments/realities.

It has taken me two weeks to get to this distance and pace…Yes it was hot as shit out (roughly 98.6 degrees) and I was pushing Baby Boy in the stroller but I got it done.  I wanted to go farther but like a good man named Kenny once said “Know when to fold em.” so in the essence of training smart and slowly testing the foot I put “Pride” in the time out chair and stopped at one lap.  Also in doing so I was able to turn a quick post into a long drawn out post that most of you will not even finish and some of you will probably repost this Garmin link on Failblog.  Anyway cherish those miles, encourage others, and get your ass out the door because YOLO.

Hope to see you on the roads soon!