Izumi's Telling Me to Run Not Jog

I was flipping through the current issue of Runners Magazine and I came across this add for Pearl Izumi's running shoes. I found it inspiring and made me think of all the ways that running and working out helps with facing daily challenges. I know that the next time I'm about to keel over on the treadmill I will remember that hard work will be rewarded

"If you ran without sacrifice, congratulations. You just jogged. 'Running hurts. It always has ... Guess what? Running is still a bitch. But one with a purpose. It teaches us that good things do not come easy. It teaches us that we are capable of more than we think. It teaches us that hard work will be rewarded and laziness will be punished. Don't expect to learn those life lessons from running's shiftless stepchild, jogging. Next time you suffer on the roads or trails, suffer proudly'"

Fitness Goals

A brief history on me and fitness. I'm one of those people that have always tried to play some type of sport throughout my life. Those times in life that I haven't can only be blamed on two reasons laziness or injury with one often leading to the other.

My most recent serious injury happened last year on a bike; I was trying to be 15 again. I found out that I am not 15 and my little stunt lead to a six months of no running and the "I don't care, I'm over it" mentality.

I have to thank Ray, my most inspiring workout partner for making me sign up for the Camp Pendleton Mud run. With his encouragement I pulled myself together and started to try to get in shape again. I don't know if it's because I am getting older, but getting back into shape was harder than I remember it being. My goal was to try to build the foundation I had lost in the previous six months and finish the race in one piece. To give you an example of how out of shape I was, I remember Matt saying that it would be a "Medical Miracle" if I could actually finish it. To make a long story short, after several months I was able to complete the Mud Run (1:33:00) and four weeks later complete the Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf (1:12:00).

I'm pretty happy with being able to at least finish, considering initially a two minute walk was a challenge but with the Mud Run and the Wharf to Wharf checked off (I like checking stuff off) it's time to evaluate where my fitness levels stand. After the last 10k I realized that I am at the point that simply finishing isn't good enough. I think that it's time for new, faster, harder goals. Considering I just had a birthday and the next Mud Run is about a year away, here are my new fitness goals for the next year. Twelve months to whip myself into shape!

Long Term Goals

1. Run the Camp Pendleton Mud Run in 1 hr 10 min [primary goal]
   
2. Finish 275 lbs, 10 times on my last set of bench

Mid Long Term

1. Run 6 miles in 50 minutes [This one is scary]
2. Finish a 1/2 marathon
   

Mid Term Goals

1. Run 6 miles in one hour

Shorter Term Goal

1. Run 3 miles in 30 minutes
2. Get to the third hole on my belt (been trying at this one for a while)

First Time Out using this as a Bench Mark

• Running - 2.41 in 30 minutes.
• Bench - 135lbs 10 times