kiwanomelon

...and you’ll get there eventually. Old age; it happens to the best of us.

After giving away my TV, I have found that I have plenty of time to do all the things I want to do during my evenings and weekends: cook healthy meals, go to taekwondo classes, go running, get groceries, read the news and books, talk with friends… I don’t miss the idiot box one bit. Now, technically, my computer can perform as a TV (and much more), but eliminating the temptation to passively watch mindless programming is a decision I don’t regret.

The best way to “start running” is to sign yourself up for a 5k 1-2 months out, and then just get outside (or inside, on a treadmill, if that’s what you’ve got), and just get moving. One day at a time, one step at a time. The important part is to register for the race first, so you can’t back out, and you’ve got built-in motivation to strap on your sneakers every morning or night.

The first two weeks are going to be brutal, especially if you haven’t run before, but don’t lose heart. Just keep trying, every day, running as much as you can, and dropping down to a walk as needed. If you give it a shot every day (or almost every day, depending on whether you feel you need a recovery day) for a couple weeks, you’ll start to see yourself getting better. Then all of a sudden (sometimes completely out of the blue), you will be able to run a mile without stopping, and then two, and from there it starts to become enjoyable.

A 5k is a very manageable distance for beginners, and it provides a great goal to work towards if you’re just starting out. I also recommend a 5k to amateur/intermediate runners who have never attempted a “real” race, as it’s a fun, short, and highly competitive distance, and you can usually coax a friend or two to join you.