The Early Days - 1

Goals, Aims, Ambitions and the Front Door

"Hey, I'm already halfway finished my second goal"

Not only am I going to do this, i.e., make 'The GREAT Canadian Comeback', I'm already doing it. I'm already well on my way - related to the early stages of coming back - at least in my humble and positive opinion.

Admittedly, I'm not walking or running with an organized group, walking up one side of a mountain and zipping down the other, setting world records in various activities, or wearing black spandex tights or expensive, colour co-ordinated workout gear. Not yet. But, I'm doing what I set out to do, and that is to make a right proper comeback - "slow and steady-like" - by way of the long road, the very long road.

I have some history as a long distance runner that is now coming in handy as I tackle the comeback. The history includes strong finishes in 10 K, half-marathon, 30 K and full marathon road races spread over a period of a dozen years between 1994 and 2006, so I have a few sound ideas about how to mount a comeback from the more couch-potato-like state of mind and being that developed after I stopped running (in the best physical shape of my life, in February 2006) on a very regular and demanding basis. Really, if someone asked me right now about how to train for their first marathon I feel certain I could talk their ear off about the following important topics:

     developing stamina or endurance in a gradual,
     sustainable manner

     developing strength and a smooth running stride
     using various, easy-to-learn activities

     developing speed in a variety of ways within one's
     limits without costing a dime

     the importance of developing stamina, strength and speed
     in a particular order

     what progressive training is all about and how to make
     it work for you

     where to get good gear at reduced prices and what
     colours look well together

     why it's important to put good money into solid,
     supportive shoes

     where to find useful outdoor tracks and cushioned
     running routes

     useful, inspiring books and movies

     the benefits of visualization, running with a group, slipping
     a fiver into a back pocket, carrying toilet paper in a plastic
     pouch and having an emergency stash of powerful laundry
     soap beside your washing machine at all times

Oh, I could go on.

"Watch out. Some retired runners just go on and on!"

More to follow.

Link to Welcome to The GREAT Canadian Comeback

Photos by GH