I’m weird. Yes, you probably already know that. But I live a little differently. We live, depending on who you ask, in the fattest state in the nation. And Men’s Health Magazine said that Jackson is a lazy city. But I get up every morning at 4 and workout.
That apparently makes me odd. Statistically an outlier. A freak.
I’m not going to preach at you about exercise. It’s a personal choice I make. No, let me rephrase that. It’s a choice I make for my family. They deserve the best of me. I’m 45 and have a six-year-old. He deserves dad to be active when he grows up. I intend to be there for him.
I know, I know, you’re probably saying, “Well you have to die of something.” I hear that one a lot. And “I won’t run unless something is chasing me.” You want to know what is chasing me? Diabetes. Heart disease. Lung disease. Cancer. I’ve seen what the last years of someone’s life looks like when you are inactive, overweight and smoke.
No thanks.
Have you noticed what is happening to health insurance? No, I’m not talking Obamacare. I mean the stuff you (hopefully) get at work. It costs more and covers less. And it won’t get any better any time soon. If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, I’m going to have apple breath. Plain and simple.
So if you need me, I’ll be out there running. And when I get older, I’ll be walking. Or swimming. Or biking. And I’ll be shoving good food into my mouth. (except for M&Ms –which I have a slight addiction to).
I’m going to be living healthy.
Because I’m weird.
I pass this tree when I run. It is one of my favorites.
I really admire people like you who run, and I just wish I could do it. How do you get started? I know that sounds like a silly question but for a non-runner like me, age 44, running is a daunting proposition. I was never much of an athlete, either. However, I have the desire to get going for mental and physical health benefits, and just to be doing something, to have an interest or a passion. How did you get started?
I started with walking. Walk for 30 minutes. After you get comfortable with that, run from mailbox to mailbox. Then walk in between. And get some good running shoes. They will protect your knees and joints.
Thank you for the tips. I’m going out for a good walk now.
For getting started running I suggest a program like those run at Fleet Feet. They have some couch to 5K programs to get you started then you can move up to the next level with training programs for half and full marathons. I started with them 2 years ago. Last year I ran my first distance races. 2 half marathons and 3 full marathons. I will turn 60 this year. Anyone can do it if they put their minds to it. Marshall is a great example of this drive.
Marathons?!!! You are amazing!!! I will check out those couch to 5K programs. Thank you for the tips.