Top: Kim LeClair and one of her sons at
the 2013 Color Run
Bottom:Kim’s team from last year’s
CIBC Run For The Cure
That's how my mom got started, joining me on a run around Malden Park.
That was seven years ago. Now her fever is in full swing and she's training for
her first half-marathon, the international half of the Detroit Free Press Talmer
Bank Marathon, October 21.
"I'm goal oriented and to reach the goal of being ready for the
half-marathon I'm following a training schedule," she said when I asked if she
had a plan.
In her case, the schedule looks something like this: Sunday, an easy run.
Mondays are a no-run day so she does a boot camp class, bikes, or goes on a
walk. Tuesday through Thursday she trains with varying distances, from three to
eight kilometers. And all the while she keeps track of her run times and
marathon info on Facebook, which in turn encourages her friends and family to
consider keeping up with her.
"Fridays are off days meant for rest. And Saturdays are my long run day, the
days I mostly dread." Her upcoming Saturday run will be 17.7 km (or 11 miles),
her longest yet.
Between the inevitable blisters and aching shins, what's all the hype about?
Perhaps it's the popular movement toward healthy lifestyle choices. A natural
anti-depressant, running burns calories, builds muscle, and raises your heart
rate; running is a moderately safe and easy exercise to take up.
For some it's a meditative experience or an exercise in will power. Today's
demanding workplace keeps many people busy and then tired once they get
home. Drawing on that reserve energy and cranking out a hard run is a superb
stress reliever. Ever try it? It's not easy to convince yourself that's the best idea
after a grueling shift. But it's a great way to sort through the day's thoughts, lost
in the pat-pat-pat of your feet hitting the ground.
"When I see people I know post on Facebook that they are running or are
starting to run, you develop this unspoken support group. I've found people to
be very supportive on my bad days."
Wondering where to run? Have a
look at some of the options in our
area - or have a look at the City of
Windsor Map for more ideas! Click
to see the maps!
Need a soundtrack
while you run?
Check out this
playlist!
34 The HUB - October 2013
Ganatchio Trail
Chrysler Greenway
City of Windsor trails