ON THE RUN WITH RYAN: How to get started

By Ryan Kriegher

The semester is well on its way and sooner than you know it, the holidays will be here and you will want to start getting into shape. We all talk about getting back into it, but we don’t know where to start. It’s easy to think that we’ll just start tomorrow and go for a run.
Sounds simple, but after a week it’s not as simple as it seemed.

Running is an easy solution for fitness, but so is walking. Many forget the option of walking to run. How do you think so many people become capable of running the Sun Run, as an example?
Start from square one. The last time you ran? Probably a while ago. Running, just like lifting weights, cannot necessarily start from where it finished after a long hiatus.
A reintroduction into fitness is needed. As I mentioned earlier, walking to run is a good stepping stone. However, a fitness plan cannot be sporadic, especially if you want to get into shape and stay in shape.

Try to find three days a week, 30-60 minutes at a time that can be set aside. Here’s a tip, try to get it out of the way early as opposed to when you get home.
We all get distracted coming home – traffic keeps us late, friends want to hang out, we get hungry. The advantage to doing it in the morning is that it is then the least of your worries throughout the day and, speaking from experience, you feel so good throughout the day.

The internet can be you your good friend when choosing a program, and quite often most people are satisfied by the programs approved or designed by Sport Med BC.
One of Sport Med BC’s directors is retired professional runner and Olympian, Lynn Kanuka who had designed many successful walk-jog programs enabling many people of all different shapes, sizes and ages to have the ability to run again.

Once again, it’s best to select a program that gives you training of three days a week. Have a goal in mind too. It’s easier to train when you have a goal because the goal can give you motivation.
Personally, I am fan of the fun runs. They’re not as competitive and typically the proceeds go toward a good cause. For those who don’t want to run, but prefer other things there are many alternatives.
As a golfer, I also get my exercise by not getting an electric cart and instead carry or pull my clubs to each hole.
You can also try to select a parking spot that is not so close to the doors and maybe having to walk an extra minute or two.

There are many things you can do, but the key is to stick with it.