25K Training - Week 10 - Overcoming Mental Blocks

This weeks training brought me to a level of training I had never experienced before this and that was making a run nealy as long as the 25K run that I'm training for in 5 weeks from now. My body has surprised me with it's ability to work at these levels considering I smoked for almost 30 years (quit 7 years ago) and was almost 100 lbs. heavier only 2 years ago.

Our bodies are magnificent things and there is no question in my mind that God knew what he was doing when he created us. I'll never be an olympian or likely competitive for my age group in running but I hope that I can do this for many years to come and continue to get stronger as I do. I would never have entertained a marathon or a 25K even 20 years ago, but heck, who knows? I've quickly learned that nothing is really beyond my reach if I'm willing to try and to work for it. The days of making excuses that I'm too tired or too old just won't work anymore.


This week brought me two new toys, a Fuel Belt water carrier and a Garmin Forerunner GPS enabled 305 trainer. Both really cool and helpful items which I talk about in more detail on my latest blog post at my One Pound Ago blog which you can get to via the link here.

No matter where you are in your fitness levels, don't sell yourself short in thinking that you can't do this too. I'm becoming a firm believer in that it's never too late to start regardless of fitness or current weight status. Just look at the the Biggest Loser program. If they can, so can we! Get out there today and start!

25K Training Has Begun

For the past few weeks now I have been training for 25K that happens here in our area on May 8th, 2010 called the Fifth Third River Bank Run. I have been running less than a year at this point and part of me says that this is a bit more than I'm ready for but none the less, I'm going to give it the best I have to succeed. I have been following the 25K training plan provided by the race sponsors and have modified it a little to suit me as it only beginner and experienced distances listed for training and I find myself somewhere in between that.

These past few weeks I have been experimenting with different shoes, which at this moment I am starting to think was big mistake to try while training. I have suffered for most of the last year from shin splints and have been constantly on the search for information or changes to deal with the pain that causes, so far with little luck. I even tried orthopedic inserts for about 3 months with some minor effect but nothing has cured it as of yet.

I have enjoyed my running over the past year immensely and besides the shin pain, it has simply been a lot of fun. After losing 100 lbs. in 2008 and falling into running quite by chance, I have continuously surprised myself with what I have been able to accomplish. You can learn about my entire weight loss and exercise path for the past two years on my blog at www.onepoundago.com/blog/ . I have chronicled my path during the entire event and if you are looking for inspiration or motivation to get going on the weight loss and exercise path yourself, that's the place to start!

See you on the course!