As I mentioned in the thread on the main board, I'm in the UK and will join in this collective madness by committing to a 10K run here in my home town in October, a run which the company I work for founded and is title sponsor. It's more appropriate that I'll be walking/running/crawling for the cause that this run was set up for, which is a local hospice, so I hope that's ok with everyone?
Let's get the stats out of the way:
50 years old two weeks ago
5'10" / 230 pounds at the start of training
Used to be very active in sports but that was some time ago - consequence of that is having very dodgy knees now, so I'm walking at this early stage
Goals:
- to complete the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu in Peru (without being hospitalised) May 1-4 2011
- to complete the Herts 10K run on Sunday 9th October 2011
I've completed 6 proper walking sessions since training began, covering 37km in 7 1/4 hours and over two courses that both contain what the web site describe as two Cat 5 climbs. So far, I'm happy with the way things are going.
One other thing...I'm walking in my hiking gear and not sports gear. That is boots, hiking pants and fleece or waterproof jacket and carrying a small daypack, as I want to replicate as best I can the hike I'll do in Peru. A "friend" suggested I stick my head in a plastic bag while I walk as that would be the only way to replicate the altitude. I think he was joking!
Anyway, that's me. I'll need help over the coming months so expect to hear cries from across the Atlantic.
I am serious about achieving these goals but I don't intend to do it by cutting out the things in life I enjoy. It may horrify some of you to learn that as I sit here on the couch, listening to good music and enjoying the delights of a nice glass of Merlot, my next walk is due in less than 8 hours time. I'm too old to change everything and quite frankly, I don't want to.
It's all about moderation!
If anyone's interested, here's some links:
Herts 10K
Grove House Hospice
Map My Run only seems to have connectivity with Facebook and as I consider that to be the spawn of the devil and have no intention of ever having a Facebook account, if you are remotely interested in how I get on I'll be posting my times via my Twitter account here
Tweet Tweet.
Good luck to all.
Colin