Now is the time. If you’ve toyed with the idea of morphing from a leisure walker to power walker or even a runner, do it now. Spring is a terrific time to get you on the asphalt, especially around gorgeous little Lake Lanier.

I’ve been absent from this blog because I’ve been absent from running. I hurt my hip flexor (or psoas to be technical about which muscle) at the GYM (vs. running) a few weeks ago and have been doing a little PT in the last few weeks. However, last Thursday morning, I was driving around the lake on my way home around 9:30 am. I saw 2 butterflies flittering past my windshield. The lavender wisteria nestled in with budding azaleas and wild dogwoods everywhere sent me into a tizzy! I couldn’t it take it anymore. Injury, schminjury - I was going for a run even if it was just a hobble.

So I went three miles slowly and inhaled as much pollen as I could! It was great.

My point to you is that NOW is the time to get out wherever you are. If you are in the Southeast, you are experiencing what we are up here. If you are a committed walker, get out there and walk. If you are wanting to take a dip on the wild side and run a little, get a good 15 minute warm-up w/ a good power walk, then run for 5 minutes if you can. Then walk 5-10, run 5 again. And so on. It really is that simple. That’s how I started.

After my first c-section, I had to get out and do something — for my physical health, but also for the mental! I started out walking just like that, and added a little jog, then kept doing that as much as I could. Before long, the running portion of the workout got longer and longer. I was running a whole MILE and not keeling over with side stitches (those sharp pains in your side). It really does start like that.

So use the excuse of the beauty of spring to get out and start your training for this year’s Ache in September. You’ll be glad you enjoyed these few weeks of milder weather and lots of color before the heat and humidity hit!

Happy Trails—

Scarlette

People ask me all the time how they can start a running or a walking program. How much will it cost, what clothing will they need, where can they go, where are the flat roads? There is so much to think about. Is it safe to walk alone? My answers to all of these questions are to keep it simple and realistic. If you want to get in shape. Get up RIGHT NOW and leave your computer, TV and sofa behind. Walk out your door - yes, get OUTSIDE, and walk down your street for 5 min and then turn around and walk home. It really is that simple to start a training program. The catch is you have to do it often, maybe 3 times a week to start and then work up to 5x a week. Once you can walk 10-15 min 5 days a week it is time to increase the distance. No one will do it for you, nothing will make it easier and no place is more beautiful and accommodating for this adventure than this area where we live. Try it…right now! Take a friend or your dog but get out there and start today!

If you have questions I will answer them here on this blog so that we can all learn, walk, run and grow together.

doesn’t always win the race, but that mantra has helped me finish the race.  I’m a pretty slow runner in runner terms. But I rarely walk and I keep my heart rate in its zone. Depending on the mileage and the terrain, on a good race day I can  run a 9:15 to 9:30 minute mile. That is huge for me.  Let me explain.

I was the quintessential non-athlete as a child. Ducking from wiffle balls. Getting picked last for kickball. You get the picture. So, now, after having two boys (and c-sections!) and being 37, I’ve discovered that I had in me something I never knew:  athletic confidence.  Now I’m not talking about Marion Jones (with or without the ‘roids) confidence, I’m talking about basic mind-over-body. Telling myself that I CAN do it. ANYbody can do anything.  The running world is full of amazing stories of perserverance and the human spirit.

But something I did learn from childhood endeavors (aside from being a kickball outcast) was that practice can make perfect (or what I call personal perfect). Practice and knowledge are key in taking on something like your first ever road race.  While running may seem simple at first — you put one foot in front of the other — there’s a lot more to it as I learned from coach Katie Malone.  She and I will share these basics on our dual blog and hope that you get The Ache on your race calendar for September 2008. 

Please check back soon for a more meaty entry to get you on a training regimen for Spring.

–The Tortoise

 PS - to learn more about the race or register, please visit www.achearoundthelake.org.