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A little bit more than 9 months have passed and I have done nothing to get into shape. Nothing. However, I still believe my goal of participating in and finishing the half marathon this year is within reach.

 

A friend of mine always teases me by saying, “John, fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life young man.” Animal House quotes aside; I have taken action on solving at least one of those conditions. Enter Reno Running and Fitness.

 

Reno Running and Fitness is an organization that helps train individuals of all fitness levels to run in a variety of events like the RRM and the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey. Oftentimes what keeps me from sticking to a fitness program is that I feel like I am going at it alone. With RRF, I get a specific training schedule and I get to train with a large group of people who are all trying to accomplish the same goal.

 

As of this writing I have completed one week of training. My first group “long run” happened last Saturday. It was a 4 mile run, of which I had to walk one mile. Did I mention I’m out of shape? Last Tuesday was another group run, 3 miles around the Sparks Marina. With plenty of encouragement I was able to finish without stopping.

 

It is hard for me to imagine that in two months I will run 13.1 miles without stopping. For me, getting in shape is more like a belief system. Even though I’m sore and can barely cover 3 miles without stopping, I believe that I will be able to do it in the future. I won’t be discouraged and I will keep at it.

 

Tonight I ran 3 miles on the treadmill. I set the pace for 12 minute miles. When I finished I felt good, tired but not overly fatigued. Even though I have only been at it for one week I feel like I am making progress (or, at least, I believe I am making progress). Just for fun I looked at the times from last year’s event when I got home. Auburn and Pat were averaging 8:30 minute miles. Anne was just over 9 minute miles.

 

Week 1 was a good start, but I have a long way to go.