Get fit

In the Bible it says, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”One of the coolest things about being an endurance athlete is being around people who are always ready to pump you up.A huge part of being successful in running, biking, swimming or any other endurance sport is the mental aspect of your training.You must believe you can do it. Being around others who are confident in their abilities seems to rub off.Some coaches stress that you should set performance goals for yourself in order to achieve your best effort. I’m not one of those guys. Sure, to do a 5K run or to do an Ironman Triathlon, one has to set the goal of accomplishing the task set out before them. However, setting a new speed record and finishing the race are two different things.Most of us are just in it for the t-shirt anyway, right?Here’s the crux of this write-up. There’s a series of four 5K events this summer here in Oldham County that can be the motivating factor for you and your family to improve your health.I want to “pump you up” and say, “right noweetodayeemake up your mind that you’re going to cross the finish line at each event. I know you can do it.”If you’ve read any of my previous writings, you know that I always sayee”I like running because it’s easyeeyou put one foot in front of the othereeIt definitely doesn’t take a gifted athlete to run, just determination.”The feeling you’ll enjoy when you begin to give yourself the gift of better health by running or walking is worth the effort.There may be a top finisher award waiting for you at the finisheeand then againeethere may not. Don’t do it for the award that that comes with finishing first in your age group. Do it for you, and your friends and family.Just think about what that means. When you commit to participating in The Oldham County Grand Slam; you’ll cover a little more than 12 miles under your own power. You’ll cross that finish line on Sept. 13, in Brownsboro at the Apple Patch Scenic Road 5K, feeling great about the new you that’s been training all summer. You’ll be surrounded by a bunch of people that feel good too. They’ll all be really sweaty, but hey, that’s a healthy thing as well.So, get up, and get started today. The weather is really getting nice.Start at a pace that allows you to enjoy your time moving around outside. Build up to longer sessions as you go.For coaching and/or encouragement send me an e-mail at mark@crestwood baptist.org.When you see another person out on your street walking, running or riding, say, “Way to go!” Remember, encouraging words are fuel that keeps us going and makes us feel good.Take a swing at the Oldham County Grand Slam. Go to www.OCGrandSlam.com and register today. I’ll see you on May 31 for the first of the four events.You can do it!!!

Roman Road 5K or 1-MileMay 31CrestwoodYMCA/Oldham County Festival 5K or 1-MileJuly 18La GrangeFastline Funraising 5K or 1-MileAug. 9BucknerApple Patch Scenic Road 5K or 1-MileSept. 13Brownsboro

The views expressed in this column may not necessarily represent the views of The Oldham Era.