![]() ![]() Allow the first-time celebration to be crossing the finishing line and have that big, nasty clock in the background be secondary to your race day victory lap.Ĭheryl Paynter is chair of the board of the Prince Edward Island Marathon. Running a race distance for the first time? I usually encourage people to run or walk “to finish.” That means allowing yourself to be tested in completing the distance while managing expectations on the time to complete. Looking to get a faster time? You will likely have to put in some interval or hill training and occasionally train with people faster than you. Again, finding like-minded people can really propel you along the journey of training. Be realistic on the time and energy to put into a goal and then get after it. Long past being a rookie but have a race distance or time target? There are many programs to help reach a goal. Also, be realistic with goals and the amount on your plate considering all of your commitments and create a plan assuming you are going to maintain this activity for the rest of your life – a new habit, a new active lifestyle. You could have a solid three or four months in by the time others are getting around to making those New Year’s commitments. ![]() ![]() 1 resolutions by getting out the door now during the most beautiful time of the year. I invite you to get a head start on the Jan. Having a buddy or a group of buddies with similar goals and commitment levels can be a critical element to your plan. It’s said it takes, on average, anywhere from a month to a year for something introduced into a schedule to become a habit when practiced regularly.Īnd while we want to use physical activity to manage our physical health, as well our mental health, and do not want to place any undue stress on ourselves, a little pressure to stay true to resolutions and to make a plan for the tough days (and realizing there will be tough days) is just good planning. Is it too dark? Too cold? Too warm? Too wet? Am I too tired? Others get dressed in their sweats immediately after their work day and look forward to the jolt of energy of a suppertime run or walk. You are up and dressed and out the door and have the first few minutes in before you have a chance to debate all the reasons for not going. Some are more successful in choosing the early morning to cut out this mental gymnastics and self-debate. You might fall into the trap of thinking of the activity you want to prioritize for more minutes than it actually takes to complete the task. You will be making conscious decisions to prioritize activity goals. It means you will be tying your sneakers when it is quite likely the last thing you want to do after putting in a busy day or while shutting off an alarm clock before a rooster has made its first crow of the day. It likely means you will have to be a little tough on yourself to get out the door in the first little while of introducing running or walking into your life. While the actual amount of time is debated, it’s said it takes, on average, anywhere from a month to a year for something introduced into a schedule to become a habit when practiced regularly. Renewed commitments to finances, eating and physical activity habits are entertained, and the pleasant temperatures invite people to spend time outdoors. Many schedules change and the freedom that summer allows seems to evaporate as quickly as daylight in the shortened evenings this time of year. With back-to-school schedules beginning and summer sports leagues and beach and barbecue days coming to end, we tend to treat September as the second New Year of the calendar year. ![]()
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