Getting on the Road Again

Here I go again.

I probably ventured out for a run no more than 5 times in the past year. A sad record; unacceptable really. This past year was extremely busy, and so I can give you any number of excuses as to why that happened. But this blog isn’t going to be about failing to run regularly in the past.

This blog is going to be about getting back out there. It will be about how I stay motivated to keep running, even when life gets ridiculously busy or when the weather turns cold. The title of this blog “Motivated Runner” captures what it will be about – things that motivate me to keep running.

And I don’t mean motivation in the larger sense – the health motivation. Those have always been there, but haven’t been strong enough to keep me interested. Specifically, I am concerned about my health in these areas:

• Cardiovascular – I have high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease. If I want to stay around on this planet for many years, I have to take care of this.
• Back pain – I have very tight hamstrings, and sit in a chair for most of my days at work. I also bend over to pick up my kids on a daily basis. This has lead to back pain. Not chronic, and not severe, yet. But I am worried about it. I want to be able to play golf in the future, so I need to take care of my back. Running will keep my hamstrings loose, and the muscles I build will hopefully help the rest.

Instead, the focus is going to be on the things that encourage me to go for a run. It will be about the things that are keeping me interested in the sport. Some days it will be a nag from the wife, other days it will be about sticking to a program. I think I’m going to need all the encouragement I can find, so hopefully the reasons will be plentiful.

Ready, Set, Go

The game is already in play – I have been out 3 times in the last 10 days. My body  has already reminded me that it isn’t in great condition. My leg muscles have been sore, and I felt the early onset of shin splints which prompted me to cut a run short. I am not timing myself yet – that would be too depressing.

• Two runs around the big loop (4.5 miles)
• One run around the loop to the Coalton Road and Rock Creek Circle (3 miles). Stopped there when I felt a case of the shins coming on.

It felt good to be back out there.