The first step is the hardest

The body part most resistant to getting fit was most unexpected.

Now, the bulging belly had a case for being opposed as it had the most to lose. The spindly legs, which had been carrying an unfair share of the weight, would ultimately benefit but a heavy load would be carried to get there. And the lungs, well, the lungs were in for the biggest workout whether success or failure was achieved.

And yet all three of these appendages managed to work, mostly, harmoniously in pursuit of fitness. The body part that rebelled and tried to scupper all the work – the head. It was not a case of ‘good’ vs ‘bad’ thoughts; it was more blasé, bad and ugly.

The blasé: You can do 10K, which was technically correct though extremely slowly and a week off to recover needed.

The bad: People are going to stare when they hear what sounds like a herd of baby rhinos bearing down on, though without the grace, and then you appear doing the Shane shuffle.

The ugly: You might have a jammer while out there and wake-up in the hospital, best case scenario.

With all these thoughts running through the mind, the stubborn streak surfaced and some running was going to happen dammit. But how to start.

Many people start with a simple, safe program. Google ‘run/walk’ and a host of options will pop up. Walk two minutes, run one, repeat. Walk five, run one, repeat. All kinds of mutations to meet any requirements.

But simple and safe wasn’t for me, for two reasons. Walking was already an embedded part of the daily routine and memories of marginal success at cross-country meets in high school flooded the brain. So no walking.

And the treadmill was not an option, as quitting is too easily achieved. If I’m halfway down Dallas Road, the requirement to get home remains and that is a powerful motivator.

In retrospect, the plan was simple if not particularly safe for someone in such shape. Out the door, run 15 minutes and turn around and lumber back to home. It was the same route, so a house could act as the marker to reverse course. Eventually, the return to base would register at less than 30 minutes, so a new marker was sought. And that’s how it started.

Three days a week, all basically the same distance, was the beginning. Then a longer run on weekends, starting with running the TC 10K course as practice. Then longer distances, stealing parts of the Victoria Marathon route.

That was what worked for me. Others will be different. Here’s the best part, there’s no right or wrong. You have to find what works for you. It may be alone or as part of a run club. It might start in the gym or the track.

The hardest step, though, will be the first one. Getting out the door. And for motivation, remember these words from Yoda: ‘Do or do not. There is no try.’

Hope to see you on the road.