Ever seen those people out running on the street - headband, watch, reflector vest and all - and wondered... "Why in the hell would anyone be running when they could be driving!"
Well, I can tell you this - it isn't because they are training for McDonalds!
Many of them are training for upcoming races. There are 5k, 10k, half marathons and full marathons pretty much every weekend throughout the year and these people want to be ready.
For now, let's focus on the 5k as it is the most basic and most common of the races.
I know, it SOUNDS TOUGH... "5k Holy Cow!" You are thinking. But guess what folks, 5k is only 3.1 miles. You can literally walk it in less than an hour!
But what is the purpose? The purpose of a 5k is to get you motivated! When you get out there with a crowd of 3 - 500 people or even up to the thousands you can literally feel the energy in the air! You are filled with something you can't quite explain and that something fuels you to greater heights than you've ever reached before. There is literally no feeling quite as energizing as finishing a race ESPECIALLY YOUR FIRST RACE! Even if you only walk the race, you will still experience this energy and you will be doing something healthy that is probably supporting a good cause!
But how do you go about preparing for such a race even if you wanted to? Well, to start you should read up on some of my other blogs for general health and fitness tips, but furthermore you should START NOW with whatever your plan is.
A simple google search will return a plethora of information on training for a 5k. The basics can be put in a plan like this:
1. Get Started
2. Stretch / Warm-up before any exercise
3. Get Moving, whether walking or jogging, indoors or outdoors, DO SOMETHING NOW!
4. Find a place where you can measure out 3.1 miles and start working on your course.
5. You may not make it the entire route on your first few tries but do what you can and you will build up to it.
6. Monitor your progress over several weeks and gradually increase your speed and distance
7. Once you can actually do the full route start testing out different training methods such as sprints and other speed play.
8. Follow your plan for at least 2 months before the race.
9. Rest for several days before the race.
10. Sign up and Race!
Those are the very basics. As I said before a simple google search will return a ton of different race plans. Pick one that is right for you and test it out. If you do well with it then it probably works. If not, get rid of it and try a new plan.
Whatever you do, GET STARTED NOW! Once you have run a 5k you will understand why so many people get motivated and hit the streets all the time for a jog. They aren't crazy! They are simply happy knowing they are doing something that hundreds of thousands of people cannot or will not do!
You can experience this amazing feeling. You can even WIN if you train hard enough!
The racing season is upon us! GLORY STARTS WHEN YOU DO!
