The theme for week one of Healthy Town 2015 is aptly titled: Get Up, Get Going. Start moving! Given that the initiative is focused on not just the fit, but those who are sedentary, this week provides a gentle reminder that now is the time to start working on all the fitness and healthy plans that were on the back boiler for so long!
It occurred to me, whilst attending the public talk with running trainer Mary Jennings on Tuesday evening, that the Healthy Town is like a New Year’s resolution! There are reminders everywhere of the importance of healthy living and regular exercise. The local gyms are pushing it, the schools are putting together programmes and even the local politicians are getting in on the act.
Couch potatoes and those who did a little but could do more are making a big effort for Healthy Town.
Mary Jennings provided some very useful tips on running and advised everyone to start the following day. Nothing like striking while the iron is hot!
Mary asked the group why running had been put on the long finger. Various excuses like no time, or work commitments, or family reasons were offered, but she really put it into perspective: you can make time if you really want! She told us: “There is no-one who can do your exercises for you.”
Prompted by the push from Mary, I got in touch with my running buddies that evening and next evening, we were out on the track in AIT. We have gone twice since (She said three days a week is reasonable!). We have put together a plan that consists of three running sessions of varying lengths and in different areas in the town and a class in the Regional Sports Centre per week.
It’s the training plan that will ensure our exercise routine will be structured rather than random (as it has been over the past while) and that was one of my goals at the start of Healthy Town.
Some of the useful tips from Mary were:
- Put together a training plan. You are more like to stick to it if you do;
- Team up with a training partner. You are less likely to pull out of a run if you know someone is waiting for you;
- Talk and run at the same time. If you can't breathe, you are going too fast;
- Vary the routes and surfaces, ie green parks, roads, tracks and paths;
- Buy runners from a specific running shop as staff are experts and will advise you on what suits you best;
- Don't underestimate the importance of warming up before running;
- Don't ever compare yourself to anyone else. There are always stronger and faster runners than you;
- Have little targets along the way. That will keep you going.
The focus in week two is on Eat Well, Live Well, the highlight of which should be the cookery demonstration by chef Catherine Fulvio and nutrition talk by Janis Morrissey at the Sheraton Athlone Hotel on Tuesday at 7pm.