The only way to be defeated is to quit entirely. The last three years, especially the last year, have taken a heavy toll on my body and psyche. Without getting into any details, I allowed such obstacles to detract from good fitness and dietary habits. I have gained a lot of weight and can no longer expect to back up a little and get back in my running groove. My focus must now be on weight loss through diet discipline and exercise.
I am starting over, which means to focus on aerobic (fat-burning) exercise and watching what I eat (at least 2/3 of the weight loss battle). So far as running is concerned, I will be running on heart rate, keeping myself in the 70-80% HRmax zone. This is achieved through a combination of running and walking. I run until I hit my upper limit, then walk until I hit the lower limit, then run again, and so on. In this way, I am keeping my body in the fat burning zone at all times. I will add cycling at least twice a week for cross training. I will push it until I am in the aerobic range as well.
I performed such a run today as the official "starting over" run. I know this is going to take time -- a few months -- before I can start thinking about performance training. I know it will work if I stay the course. Besides, what better day to start something anew than your birthday.
Take care, run free.
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