One run in, so many more to go!

Congratulations!

You've made it through your first class of running for 20-25 minutes! For those of you that had your doubts about being able to do it, you've made it over the first starting hurdle and are now working your way towards Race Day!

Here's a couple of hints/tips/and reassurances to help you through the next weeks:

1. Find a pace that works for you! This will depend on your current level of fitness, the weather, and how well you are feeling the day of your training. For some of you, running 2 minutes and walking for 1 minute will be done at a jogging/talking pace, some of you will 'wog' it, and other of you will run it. Go at a pace that allows you to complete the interval, but not so fast that your heart rate does not recover in during your minute of walking.

2. Motivate yourself! Whether it's wearing a favorite shirt, talking (or complaining about how much you LOVE running) to your running partner, or putting together a playlist of your favorite songs, find some way to motivate yourself to get out and run. Some of you may want to reward yourself after completing 3 trainings in 1 week. Even on the days where running is the last thing you want to do, find a way to get up and go!

3. Get your 3x/week in! As I said in class, it's not mandatory to get your 3 trainings in per week. However (and that's a big however), it will make your in class training go a lot better AND it will make your 5km race day that much more of an accomplishment. It is a small time investment of 23 minutes on two days of the week. You can do it at home, you can convince a parent or sibling, you can do it at lunch, or you can take advantage of the activity block on Wednesdays. You can even integrate it into your existing workout regimen at the gym! At the end of the week, it is only really a 60 minute investment- but a worthwhile investment for your health!

4. Keep your head up! Life happens. There will be some tough days, but those are the days you need to give your best. Those are also the days you will feel like you climbed Mount Everest. They are the days you will look back and think, 'if I made it through that day, I can do anything'. Keep your head up, face to the sun, and smile!