Summer Goals

Without a doubt, the warm weather is here. No more excuses. It is time to make a goal. 9 out of 10 Americans go through life without writing down their goals. I believe that is one of the reasons we do an annual and mid-term consoling with our subordinates. To help get them to set attainable goals. You can do the some for your personal fitness. Now, losing 20 lbs a week, like on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" is not a reasonable goal. Losing 2 lbs a week is. Running a marathon may not seem like a reasonable goal, but it could be. The only question is, are you willing to improve your health and your quality of life?

Here is a step by step plan to reaching a half marathon distance.
1) Run a 5K
The 5K is only 3.1 miles. It is the most common racing distance you will find and it is very easy to train for.

2) Run a 10K
A 10K may seem like an eternity the first time you run one. It will take most people about an hour.

3) Run A 15K or 10 miler
15K and 10 miles runs are a bit more rare, but you can fine them. To train at this distance, it is easy to find an excuse to stop. To help tame this urge to quite, I run out 5 miles. That way, I'm forced to return the rest of the distance under my own power. I would also plan a route with plenty of drinking fountains or carry your fluids in a hydration belt. At this distance, you are going to long to rely on your body's reserves.

4) Run a half marathon.
Distances of 1/2 to full marathons can be a destination weekend in itself. The list below provides a few.

Navy Half Marathon
Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon
Marine Corps Half Marathon
Las Vegas Half Marathon
Black Hills Half Marathon
Norfolk Half Marathon
Achorage Marathon and Half Marathon
Pittsburg Half Marathon
Minneapolis Half Marathon
Memphis Marathon and Half Marathon