The Superior Express -

New year's resolutions are big for many people. I don't understand it, but the new year does seem like a good excuse for a fresh start. I often wonder how many of those well-intended resolutions fail, as all of mine have, and maybe that's the reason I don't make them.

Many new year's resolutions have something to do with losing weight, getting in shape, or being in better health for the years to come. In fact, business booms for fitness centers and gyms during the first three months of the year. I am guilty of joining a gym at the beginning of the year and losing interest before my birthday in mid-January.

The past couple of years has been difficult on many a waistline, including mine. Apart from the pandemic, I went from an active occupation to one where I was sitting at a desk most days. I have never had an exercise routine and honestly still don't. When we began the renovation of our house, I felt like I would die. I had become so out of shape, I sat on the floor crying many afternoons and wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into; climbing a ladder all day was going to end me.

I kept pushing myself day after day to do more and go further than I had the day before. I changed my diet, started taking vitamins and drinking more water. It got easier. I still hurt every morning, but it's easier. I've lost weight and feel better most days. I started to wonder how I would keep my girlish figure once the renovation slowed down. A friend recommended running.

I've often thought about running, mostly running away from the day-to-day grind, but honestly, running does sound appealing to me nowadays. Most days, I have so much pent-up energy it's hard to shut my brain off in the evenings. Running seems like a good way to accomplish that.

Now I have never run unless I had to, so I talked with a friend who's been a runner her entire life. Randi Fox is the cross country coach for the Lawrence Nelson Sandy Creek Red Raiders. Randi has been running since she was 13. I asked her why she ran, and she said, "I'm not really sure why I started running or why I started running long distances. Maybe, because I didn't care much for volleyball so when I got to high school, I went out for cross country." Randi ran cross country and track all four years of high school, only missing track season her senior year because of tearing her ACL. She then ran both XC-Track at Hastings College for all four years.

When I asked why she does it, she said, "It can be difficult for some to understand why others like to run. I run because it relaxes me. It challenges me. Somedays I believe I can run forever and some days I wonder why I even went for a run." She believes the benefits of running are to stay in shape and remain healthy. Running wakes her up, so she gets up every morning before school and runs. "It's a great way to start my days," she said. The only equipment needed to run is an excellent pair of shoes, with plenty of support. It doesn't hurt to have a smartwatch to keep track of your distance.

Randi gave this advice for someone just starting out - "Take it slow. Start out by walking and running...try walking a minute and running a minute. Get your body used to running. Never push yourself past your limit. If it hurts, stop and walk."

I took her advice and ran with it, literally. I ran a block and then walked half a block. I kept this up for a few blocks and then slowed my pace to run half a block and walk the other. I enjoyed it and hope to keep it up once this house is finished. It did what I needed it to do. The pent-up energy was gone, my brain slowed down and I slept like a baby. Although my shins hurt for the next several days, it was well worth it. I've been corresponding with my physical therapist and am hoping he will be able to help me with my stride so I can enjoy the wind in my hair and keep it up without injury.

As you are working toward your new year's resolutions this year, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. It will take time and perseverance. Being skinny doesn't equal healthy, and life long habits are difficult to break. So if your goal is to lose weight, don't starve yourself to do so. If you're trying to break a habit and slip, don't wait until the next new year to try again. Every morning is a fresh start. Love yourself as you are right now, and the rest will fall into place.

Randi has a sweatshirt with this quote, "I don't run to win races or to get places, I run to escape this world. I run to quiet my mind. I run to feel strong and I run to be free." I like this quote as well. To me it says, I'm doing this for me. Whatever your "this" is, do it for you, give it all you have and a little more. You can't go wrong. Happy New Year!