It is a new school year and with that comes new classes, new roommates, and a new routine to adjust to. One routine I am always determined to set first is my workout routine. I am the type of person where if I do not work out 6 days a week, I feel sluggish and everything is off. I have tried doing Group Exercise classes at the ARC and that worked out great at first, but with harder classes, a job and the time demand of my clubs and internships, accommodating my schedule around the GX classes doesn’t always work. I had to find a work out that was new and worked for me. I decided this year to become serious about running.
I have always been an active person, playing sports throughout my childhood, but even though I was an avid soccer player, I hated running. So if four years ago you told me I would be running 10-18 miles a week, I would laugh in your face. But to all of you other disbelievers, Davis is honestly the perfect place to pick up running because, hello!, it’s so flat. If you have ever been curious about running, but are too anxious to start, don’t be! You might think, Oh, but I won’t be good at it. That is the beauty of running- it is an individual sport so the only person you answer to is yourself! What I love about running is that it is a perfect escape. Prior to jogging on a regular basis, I never understood how people could find running calming until now. When I run, especially on my long weekend runs, I have 45-90 minutes to myself. No distractions. I don’t think about midterms, people, drama, work, chores, nothing. During my runs, I am taking the time to take care of myself.
Initially when I began running last year, I would try to complete 30 minutes on the treadmill, but I never saw enough progress. I did some research and stumbled upon the C25k program, a running plan that will get you from the couch to running a 5k in nine weeks. It was perfect because I could run and feel like I was following a plan, working towards a goal, and seeing results.And results I saw . I started the C25k program in Fall quarter of 2010 and started signing up for races in Winter quarter 2011. Davis has an amazing organization called Change of Pace and they host several runs throughout the year. I have participated in the Davis Stampede 5k, the Lucky Seven 7k, and will be completing the Davis Turkey Trot 10k at the end of November. The races are relatively cheap and honestly such a blast! You are just out there with tons of other people who gather to help out a great cause, get in a good work out, and have fun. Running with that many people is exhilarating and so easy. It is also a great way to get a tour of Davis.
The great thing about running is it is a cheap way to get in an amazing workout. There is really no cardio workout as beneficial to the body as running. All you need is a quality pair of shoes and a solid sports bra and you are set. This can be a great thing to do with your roommates or friends. Grab a few friends and just run around campus together. Davis is filled with the most beautiful running paths. It is so nice to go for a run and see where they take you. Every time I run, I see tons of other people running, biking, walking their pets, and it is so inspiring to be out there with all these people making themselves healthier. There is the Davis Bike Loop, the long path down Russell, trails all around Davis High School, and the Arboretum, which is a personal favorite of mine!
If you still don’t believe running is for you, let me leave you with this. Last year, I would panic and freak out at the thought of having to run a mile. Sound familiar? This October, I completed my first half marathon, running the entire thing, and it was one of the best experiences of my life and it was all thanks to the C25k  program. Once you are done with that, there are plans such as Bridge to 10k and tons of half marathon training plans. I always said I didn’t have the body to complete a half marathon, but I proved myself wrong.
So, try something new, grab your workout shoes, put on your music, pick one of the beautiful paths Davis has to offer and go, see where your feet take you. The hardest step for a runner is always the first.