The Running Man

Posted by admin on July 11, 2008 in Misc.

On Sunday, I run my first 5 km (3.1 mile) race. Ever. I fully expect 5 year old kids to lap me along the way. I hope they don’t close the race before I finish. I am doing this to get into shape and to get outside but its been an interesting life lesson at the very least.

I joined a “learn to run” class 8 weeks ago (I still can’t get over the name- I always have to explain that, yes, somewhere in my 30 plus years on earth I learned to run, smart a**). Me and 30 people- although it became a core of about 15. We had a class once a week with an instructor. First week, we ran one minute, walked one minute for 2km and each week we added another minute to the run portion (i.e. 2 minute walk, 1 minute walk in week 2 then 3 minute walk, 1 minute walk in week 3 etc. etc.) and the distance. We had practice runs on Wednesday and Sunday as well (although those were optional).

This was totally outside my comfort zone since I am a bit of a lone wolf by nature. But, for anyone who wants to do sometime (running, dancing, cooking), the format of the class works.

As much as I am not a big runner, want to know why I really liked doing something totally outside comfort zone?

Structure: I knew I had to run once a week no matter what and I knew what day the practices were.
Socialization: Hey, you get to meet new people in the exact same situation as you.
Gradual appreciation towards a fixed goal (the race). We built up week by week to the race so the goals were modest and not unreachable at the beginning to prevent someone become discouraged.
Discipline enforced by structure and peer pressure: Hard to miss a class if you know people will ask you where you were.
Positivity: Everyone is just starting out and the best way to get over the hump is to be positive and cheer everyone on.
Guidance: We had an instructor who taught us all the little tricks and we had a talk from different speakers on all sorts of different topics related to running.

If you are reading this blog trying to learn more about personal finance or getting your finances under control, think about incorporating these factors in reaching your goals. I would especially emphasize positivity. People go negative very quickly when it comes to money.

Wish me luck and have a great weekend!

4 Comments on The Running Man

By Canadian Capitalist on July 11, 2008 at 10:02 am

Good luck with the run. Before you beat up yourself, think about this: most people can’t even run 5K. I certainly can’t now though I’ve run a half-marathon at one time. So, you’re doing great! Keep it up!

By Quick Lunar Cop on July 11, 2008 at 10:28 am

Congratulations on making it this far in your training program! From your description of the program, it looks like you are attending a Running Room clinic. I have been a huge fan of their programs, but I don’t really see the Wednesday and Sunday runs as “optional”!

I started running two years ago, and in my first year, I went from “Learn to Run” to 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon and Marathon! While I don’t particularly recommend doing all these clinics in such a rapid succession, it really goes to show that with the proper program and lots of determination, you can achieve anything!

I totally agree about the similarity between personal finances and fitness. Just like I was able to go from a couch potato to a marathoner, I have also made the progression from being heavily in debt (and living paycheck-to-paycheck) to having a positive net worth (and on a budget that works).

Again, congratulations on what you have achieved and good luck in your race!

By admin on July 11, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Thanks for the well wishes! I am, indeed, doing the Running Room Clinics. Thanks for the tip on not doing the class back to back. I was going to do that.

I am hoping its not too hot that day since Saturday is supposed to be a killer.

By Quick Lunar Cop on July 14, 2008 at 10:18 am

You can sign up for clinics back-to-back, but you have to be careful to not increase too fast. One way to do this is to repeat a clinic as a pace leader (free signup and you get a 30% off coupon, but no shirt).

Here’s an example of what I would consider a more “prudent” progression:
Learn to run / 5K / 10K / 10K Pace Leading / 21K / 21K Pace Leading / 42K