A Short Introduction

For months now, Jim and Ash tried to talk us into running with them but Bob and I just weren't on board yet.  I wasn't completely opposed as I knew that I needed exercise but had not made the commitment to anything yet.

About 4 weeks ago, we all four helped another couple (and very good friends) move.  That marked a change for Bob. It was time to do something.  Getting out of breath carrying boxes was not going to cut it.  By Sunday afternoon, we had a text from Jim to meet them for a run and we were purchasing our first pairs of running shoes.  That day we jumped in head first to this world of running.

Jim and Ash are much more experienced runners, having completed multiple 5K's and running an average of 5 miles in their workouts.  They were kind enough to start from scratch for us and we all began the Couch to 5K program.  Not every day is easy but it is so worth it.

After 4 weeks, we have both achieved weight loss and have yet to skip or repeat any sessions.  Personally, I am on the verge of coming off of high blood pressure medication.  After.  four.  weeks.  Completely amazing how much better we feel and we are only halfway to achieving our first goal of running a 5K. 

So many people say it, but it is true.  If I can do it, anyone can!

~Melanie~

ENTER JIM & ASH'S STORY
Its Jim here, so I guess this is the part where I go into detail about what got my wife and I running. Well, it was a plethora of things really, everything from health benefits, to wanting to be a good role model for our daughter to even the more primal of reasons (better sex, wanting to like what you see in the mirror, to wanting people to notice you when your at the beach) Perhaps the ladder of reasons aren't the right reasons, but the way I see it, what does it really matter as long as it's what gets you out of the door and on the road?

So to begin we tried this whole C25K thing a while ago and we made it about 3 weeks in and just stopped, really don't have a reason/excuse we just simply quit. It tooks us several months before the notion of running reared its little head back up and this time we were determined to stick with it. We started in May 2012 and it took us about 10 weeks to make it through the 8 week program (yes, we had to repeat a couple of weeks).

After we finally completed the program we signed up for our very first 5k race. It was a small little race just right down the road where we lived called the JarrodFest 5k (no it's not a festival for the subway guy). It was to support a family who had just lost their husband/father to colon cancer due to Crohn's disease. Once we completed this race we were hooked and have since raced 3 other 5Ks with quite a few races planned out for this year.

Running really has changed our lives in so many ways. I never imagined I could go out and run for 5 min straight let alone over an hour. I challenge anyone who thinks running isn't for them to just give the program a try. All it ask is 8 weeks/3 days a week for a something that will hopefully change your lifestyle for the better, at least I know it did for us...