Just do it

What a difference a couple of years can make.  Contrasting my first triathlon in 2008 with the same race a few years later, first duathlon, first 1/2 marathon with the same course  carrying an extra 20 pounds and completing a marathon in 2012.

 Everything starts with a simple step. Since that first picture, I've crossed 80 finish lines including 17 halves and a marathon

I'm not telling you this to impress you but to impress upon you that you can achieve ANY fitness goal you choose .. even ones you don't know you want when you start. 

So.. why am I telling  you this?  To make the points that it all begins with a single step and you just never know where life, or your fitness program will take you. You have to have faith to dream and do what you thought was impossible. I can promise you that no goal is too big.

Prior to my first race in 2008 (the first picture), I'd never run a mile, didn't own a bike and hadn't swam in over 20  years. I won't bore you with the reasons behind why I did my first race but I can tell you my feelings were that I would be one and done .. I was not a runner, didn't want to mess the french up on my pedicure, was not a biker.. didn't want ridiculous tan lines and surely wasn't a swimmer because those caps and going out with no make up was just ridiculous to me.   My mantra was "I'm a cheerleader, not a jock" and I was perfectly ready to go back to lifting and yoga in the air conditioned comfort of  the gym as soon as the race was over.

As I look forward to starting my 6th race season, I still amaze myself with the things I accomplished that were never even on my radar. I can guarantee you that when I hit my first start line, the thought of a marathon or even a 1/2 marathon was never even a remote possibility. In fact, I think I told my boyfriend at the time "I can promise you that I will never run more than a 10K anything beyond that is just ridiculous"

Of course the post would be worthless without some actual fitness advice so, here it is.  If you've always wanted to do a 5, 10k or 1/2 marathon, just do it. Don't worry about how you look or how fast you go or having the latest gear.

I often hear "I want to do a XXXX but I don't know where to start" or worse,  "I was training for a XXX and got injured and stopped. " Follow the appropriate plan for your goal, lifestyle and fitness level and I can virtually guarantee that you will be successful without injury. 

 If you are a very beginner and want to do a 5K,  I recommend the couch25k program. I've had many in home and group fitness clients have great success with this program (including some who were 50 plus pounds over weight and in their late 40s).Every one of them crossed the finish line with relative ease and at a quicker time than they expected. For a complete beginner who wants to do a 1/2, I also love their 1/2 marathon program. 

If you have some running  under your belt and are a decent fitness level (been doing resistance training or running regularly for 6 months to a year) , I recommend Hal Higdon's programs for any distance.  I've used them to successfully carry myself and 10- 25 pounds of gear across 17 half marathons and a marathon finish line never placing in the bottom 5 of my age group.  
 I started with the beginner programs for my first 2 years then moved up to the intermediate programs. In fact, after taking virtually all of 2013 off from racing due to a broken foot and some personal issues, I've just pulled out the beginner program which I started last week. It should be noted that, while I was not running, biking or swimming, I was still getting in a good 2 to 3 days a week of resistance and 3 - 4 miles a day walking my puppy so I'm not starting as a total beginner. Best of all, they are all FREE 

Main things to remember:

1. Just like with any fitness program ... more is NOT better. Start where your fitness level is and follow the plan to safely build your 'base"
2.  Don't underestimate the importance of resistance training to get you through any of these programs injury free and at peak performance. Simple core work a couple of times a week and some  hamstring and adductor work (to help prevent muscle imbalances and knee issues) will go a long way and will be well worth the time invested which will be minimal compared to weeks or month sidelined with an injury.

I'd love to hear from you about what races you are training for and how your training is coming.  Connect on our facebook page , twitter or contact me directly 

If you are ready for a one on one program designed just for you, request your free fitness evaluation and consultation here

In Health, 
 Dianne Villano 
Custom Bodies
www.mypersonalfitnesscoach.com