Resolutions: 2015 Miles in 2015! Why Resolutions Fail and How to Overcome Roadblocks

Did you make a 2015 New Year resolution? It’s January 18^th. How are you doing? I often have been quoted to say that I wanted to open a gym on January 1^st then convert it to a bar on February 15^th. Ha ha ha.  Funny, but not so far off. Nearly 50% of Americans make resolutions, but only 8% reach their goals.

Why is that? Resolutions fail for a myriad of reasons, but truly it’s usually because of the resolution itself. This year I have resolved to run 2015 miles in 2015! I’m actually doing this with my amazing man, Art Atchison, as a team because it makes it more realistic for us to achieve. The goal keeps us motivated and focused on being consistent with our running; while not making it such an onerous task that we would get discouraged and quit if we are behind our goal.

Here are some of the roadblocks to keeping resolutions! And how we help you run right past them!

1.     Too Big, Too Fast.  Just like I mentioned that Art and I are working as a team on our 2015 miles, this highlights a common problem with resolutions. Most people set unrealistic goals that set you up for failure.  Go small, and then ante up once you hit your goal. Taking baby steps will help you ore likely get to the end-goal. Answer: Set small, realistic goals and it’s OK to set levels of achievement.

2.     Too Many Resolutions. Reaching any goal takes focus. If you have a bunch of focal points, your concentration is scattered and you will be all over the place. It’s better to set one or two big goals to reach over the course of the year. Another option is to make several small goals to be achieved one at a time. This year we are running 2015 miles and ramping up for a PR in the Ironman 70.3 distance. These goals work together!

3.     Quitting Altogether When Falling Down.  It is inevitable that you will slip a little along the way. Art will tell you I fall down (literally) all the time. Some times the pillow wins! It’s OK. To err is human. To be lazy is human! What’s important is to get back up and make a plan to get back on track to achieving your goals. Have a contingency plan for when you slip knowing ahead of time that reaching your goal will take focus and continued effort. Noting worth having comes easy!

4.     Resolutions That are Too Vague. It’s amazing how many people set resolutions to “get in shape”, “to run more”, “to get faster”, “to lose weight”, or “to be a better boss”. What the heck does that mean and how do you track it? Tracking your progress keeps you focused. You need to make SMART goals. S is specific. M is measurable. A is achievable. R is result focused. And T is time bound. It is important to be able to track your progress and be able to measure your success.

So again I ask, it’s January 18^th; how are you resolutions doing? It’s still early. Sit back and think about your goals, write them down and discuss them with the people closest to you. Most goals require teamwork and reinforcement from your close family and friends to be achieved. Have an accountability team. Track your progress!

Art and I are doing well, we have reached our first 100 miles; 1915 to go! The last 18 days have not been all roses. The pillow has won a few times, but I’ve made it up in the afternoon. Work and children often get in the way. I’m making all my excuses in my head, then dismissing them or finding a work around. We have calendar in our home that we track our progress. I have my friends and patients following me. My goal is very public, so I’m more likely to reach it!

Happy Running…..share your goals!

Happy New Year! Can You Run/Walk 2015 Miles in 2015? Yes You Can!

I was challenged this morning by an ultra-marathon running friend to run 2015 miles in 2015. At first I thought that sounded like one of those resolutions that is like a gym that turns into a bar in February. 2015 miles! That's almost 6 miles a day!

Then I realized that walking counts and that if you average 10,000 steps a day at 2,000 steps roughly equaling a mile, then I probably walk at least 5 miles a day at work before I even tie up my running shoes.

Turns out this is not a novel idea. There is a whole group of people who have signed up for a virtual race that lasts all year long! Sounds like a blast! I'm in! And you can go solo, tandem or a team to get it done! For more info on the virtual race and how to join in on the fun, click here.

So I logged 4 miles on the treadmill today....too cold and wet outside for this girl! That means I have 2011 miles to go......and perhaps I need to buy a pedometer and or FitBit! Run Happy!

Happy New Year 2015!

A Happier World if Everybody Ran

Delving into the Mizuno study a little further today....

So what if everybody ran? 

Continuing our deeper plunge into the research…..Let’s look at what else researchers found as an effect.

If we estimate the population of the US being around 320 million people and about 300 million are at an age that could possible run (< 5yrs old); it turns out that the CDC has found that only 50% of the adult population achieves the recommended amount of aerobic exercise in any form. That is 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate activity a week or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity. Of those active people, they found that only about 30 million run more than 50 times per year (at least once a week). So let’s assume that we could add 270 million people who could be converted to running, and this includes 150 million inactive Americans. That’s a lot of people!

What’s the effect? A happier, healthier population! And a smarter one!

How? 

Most runners will tell you that running makes them feel better and more focused. Studies have proven this to be true. It turns out that regular aerobic exercise actually improves memory test by over 20% as well as problem-solving abilities and the ability to learn new vocabulary. Running can improve attention, memory and information processing, anxiety, overall mood, and more. 


In fact, if everyone ran we would have an 83% reduction in anger and overall moods would be improved by 37%.


Imagine a day with 37% more smiles!

That would be a great day!

More next week……..

What If Everyone Ran?

Mizuno launched a study at UNC Business School on the potential impact of a national running movement or essentially they asked the question, "What if everyone ran?" 

Published in March 2014, it has been an internet phenomenon and yet it seems that even though the numbers of runners are increasing; it's not happening at the rate you would expect when reading this report. 

I decided that I will summarize each statistic in my blog to try to influence as many people as I can to start an exercise program. This is not an endorsement of Mizuno, in fact Brooks are my running shoes of choice, but I love what they are doing and I wanted to share.

Hmmm...What if everyone did run?

For those people who are too impatient to wait for my musings each week, click here to read the report.

Here is the executive summary straight from the study:

The analysis suggests that if everyone was a runner there could be:

• $130 billion in health care savings

• $47 billion added to the national GDP

• Nearly 2 billion pounds of total weight loss

• 10 percent increase in household earning potential

• 5 million fewer hospital visits

• Up to 46 percent fewer homeless

• 20 million more great grandmothers

• 7 billion more hours spent outside

• 63 million happier dogs

• 135 million more victory beers

Over the next few weeks we can explore how this is possible.....together.....and then we can discuss it on the run!!!

What is a Hoka? Is it the Right Running Shoe For Me?

What is a Hoka? Great question.

It turns out that even though they have been in the marketplace since 2010, the average runner, and definitely the average person, has not been introduced to the Hoka One One.

This is a revolutionary running shoe that looks absolutely ridiculous at first glance but the wow factor is in the fit and feel.  They are hugely popular in the ultradistance running community and are now starting to trend in the marathon category. The company will tell you that the Hoka was not developed to counteract the minimalist trend, but this is a maximalist shoe. They also hate that term!

Truly this is an innovative design that cushions and rocks the foot forward like a semi-wheel like construction. They have a very light EVA material with exceptional rebound and a meta-rocker midsole geometry that encourages a smoother ride and faster transition to the forefoot. A running shoe with tons of cushioning with dynamic control. Sounds too good to be true! It was recently chosen as the Editor’s Choice in Runner’s World. The company was acquired by Deckers Outdoors in 2013 and they brought them from the fringe into the limelight.

Is Hoka the shoe for you? Another great question. Like every other shoe, they are not for everyone.  There is no “one best shoe” and the average runner will scoff at the look but love the feel! They are not always the answer for runners who have repetitive stress injuries and are currently wearing minimalist shoes.  I have seen forefoot instability wear out the shoe outsole very quickly due to actually accentuating the unstable ride.

This is a great shoe for runners who are looking for an energetic yet cushioned ride. They encourage natural gait while protecting you from the concrete jungle.

The Hoka One One is worth taking a look and introducing yourself to the new shoe on the block. I think they will be here to stay. And I think we will see many more shoe type hitting the market in the next few years to try to answer the demand for more cushioning and yet stability. Hmmm....fun times in the running industry!

Time For Fort Worth's Most Idiotic But Fun Race Again!

It’s that time of year again! Time for the most idiotic run in Fort Worth….also known as El Scorcho! Actually it is a blast! And what else do you have to do at midnight on July 13?

Straight plagiarism from their website:

What is El Scorcho? 
Now in its eighth year, El Scorcho continues its ridiculously foolish tradition of staging an endurance run at midnight in North Texas in the middle of the summer. El Scorcho brings you the best no-frills 50 km frolic in all of Fort Worth.  There's also a 25 km option for those of you who aren't quite ready to step up to the plate.  But you should.  Because, really, what's the difference between 50 km and 25 km except twice the distance?  In the end, it's up to you.  Both runs take a certain fortitude. Or stupidity.  Your call. 



When is El Scorcho? 
The stupidest, hottest, most idiotic time of year: July.  Why July?  Because we say so.  Because heat and humidity are your friend.  Just because.  The run starts at midnight and ends at 6 a.m.  If you want your race time to be official, you've got to finish by then.  Runners who haven't finished by 6 a.m. may keep running, but we can't guarantee anything.  

Where is El Scorcho?
Trinity Park, Fort Worth, Texas. 5 km over a mix of crushed limestone, asphalt, the occasional concrete sidewalk, a couple of foot-bridges, and a basketball court.  Over and over and over again until you hit your distance.  About half the course is lit at night by streetlamps, but they never all seem to work, despite our best efforts.  It can get awfully dark at some parts.  And this year, there ain't no moonlight to guide you.  But hey--what do you expect?  Suck it up.  It's a midnight run.  Bring a headlamp, a flashlight, or night goggles if you're worried. 



Why run El Scorcho? 
Why not? I mean, seriously, what else are you gonna do at midnight in July?  Sadly, if you haven’t already signed up…it’s sold out! And has been for months! You will have to wait for next year! 

Yes, runners are a crazy breed, but we are FUN!!!

See you there Saturday night…….