Run, Walk, or Stroll in Boise’s Fit One

Even if you don't consider yourself to be a runner, you can totally do this.  Fit One gives us the chance to run hard or take it easy, and it gets the whole family involved.

Oh, and if you think you can't run several miles all at once, think again.  If I learned to do it, you can too!

Maybe you're with me on this.  You like exercise as long as it doesn't hurt too much. The more it doesn't feel like a workout, the better it is!  If only burning a thousand calories would happen sitting on the couch during a big binge-watch session with Netflix.

I've always been a walker, and usually several miles a day.  Then one day a few years ago after talking with my marathon-running friend Pete and getting totally inspired by him, I decided to kick it up a notch and see what would happen if I tried to jog a little bit. I realized I probably wouldn't die from it.  So I walked, jogged for two minutes, and walked again.  The next day I jogged for a bit again, and let myself quit when I was too winded to continue.  The next day I repeated the pattern and the jog time increased on its own.  And it kept increasing, day after day, until I was running the majority of the time and walking just a smidge.  (It was sort of like that feeling you get after getting sucked into social media, and you look up at the clock and realize it's been an hour.  You can't really explain how it happened.)

Now I can run 10 or 11 miles at an 8 and a half minute pace.  What in the world?! When I was a chubby kid and a fat college student, I never would have dreamed this would be happening.   And it may not have happened if I had tried to run 10 miles right out of the gate.  That would have been too overwhelming and I would have gassed out and given up.  The gradual increase was the magic trick for me.  If I can do it, anyone can.

Fit One Boise is coming up September 23rd, and it's the perfect chance to get out there and try something new.  The 5K is a family Run, Walk, and Stroll, and it's a great way to get the kids involved in fitness.  It might be the opportunity we need to try out the two minute jog idea too, then back to walking.  A 5K is a 25 to 35 minute event for most of us, so it's pretty quick, and loads of fun as we feed off the energy of everyone else on the course.  Fit One includes a 10K and a half marathon too, if you're feeling a little more ambitious.

The registration price goes up August 31st, so get registered now and help St. Luke's! All three courses move from the steps of the State Capitol, along historic avenues and past favorite landmarks, to finish in Ann Morrison Park. We'll see ya there.