Resolve to Get Outdoors: Week #2

Reconnect to Mother Nature with Ron, Onlineshoes.com’s Suburb Escapee.

So it’s only a few days before the New Year and if I’m going to give any of my goals a real shot, I’m going to need a plan. I know how most of these resolutions go and just because I declared it to the world doesn’t mean it’ll happen.

For the record these are my goals:

• I’ll get down to my ideal weight by my 50th Birthday in September.

• I’d like to find a new trail to hike every other weekend and never do the same one twice.

• I will run the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon every year until I’m 60.

• I’d like to change my lifestyle (diet and exercise) so I can stay active and healthy for many more years.

I’ve done enough reading and I know myself well enough to know that I won’t succeed if I expect to change my behaviors on a large scale or in a short amount of time. I’m going to need to start slow and create small goals that lead me to my big goals. But before I begin anything, I’ve scheduled an appointment with my doctor for a full physical as it’s been a while. I feel pretty good but I want to give myself every chance at success.

Plus, I already found the perfect website to help track my progress: FitnessJournal.org. It will allow me to track everything I need, from weight and heart rate to miles and calories. I can even input all my goals on a daily basis to track my progress on a calendar—a great way to keep up on my workouts. Best of all, it has an app for my iPhone so I can easily track it on the go.

My first milestone will be to try to create a weekly routine that I can sustain for the next few months. I already know I don’t like to run in the dark, so I’ll need to run at lunch or put in the treadmill miles until we get into the longer days so I can hit the trails. See, I’ve been a runner for years and, several year ago, discovered trail running which combines my two loves: running and the hiking experience.  Which is why my Saturdays will continue to be dedicated to find some cool trail to run or go on a pretty aggressive hike with my good buddy. We’ve been at it now for years and is something I look forward to every week.

While Sundays are the only full day I have with my wife, she’s fully aware of how much I enjoy running outside and is ready to support me by giving up an hour for a Sunday run.

Monday’s through Friday’s are going to be the tough days. I think success or failure will hinge on my ability to take time for my workouts during the week. I’ll spend this next week trying different routines and see what I think may work: mornings, lunch, or evenings…

Lucky for me, I actually have an advantage; I’m immersed daily in athletic and outdoor footwear apparel and accessories. Because of my job in buying, I’m not only aware of industry trends and new technologies, but of the value of getting the correct shoe and apparel for a correct and healthy fit. I think tools like our fitwiz can really help advise people looking for professional guidance online with recommendations from a real running geek. For me, it’s pretty bottom line: the right gear will help keep me injury free and comfortable, which will keep me motivated and, most of all, keep it fun.

I’m now a few days into my workouts with some moderately paced runs and high incline walks on the treadmill (hey, you have to start somewhere…even indoors). I hope to report on my successful progress and immersion into the sunlight on my next post.