Let's get this year started!!!

Even though I am a perpetual goal-setter I still love the idea of a new year and a fresh start. I love getting my new calendar and marking the dates for my races and my training plans. It makes me happy to see those events on the calendar.

If you haven't done that yet you should! There are so many great races in our area all year long. There is probably something every single month in either South Carolina or North Carolina. I usually check these three websites for races:

Running the USA
Strictly Running
Active

First find a race and get it on the calendar. If you have not been consistently running lately you probably need to find a training plan. There are a ton of free plans all over the internet - just Google what you want and it will come up. Here are some places to start.

If you are starting fresh then you might want to check out a popular plan called Couch to 5K.
It has a nice progression with run/walk intervals. At the end of 9 weeks you should be able to run for 30 minutes straight. They make it really easy with a mobile app, if you have a smart phone.

Other resources are:
Runners World  (not all are free)
Jeff Galloway
Hal Higdon

The only thing you really need to get started is a good pair of shoes. I highly recommend getting professionally fitted for your shoes. I am sure there are others, but I really like FootRx in Asheville. They have a treadmill and video to monitor you running to determine what shoes might be best for your stride. They take a lot of time and care in making sure you are happy.


Most importantly, if you do not want to start alone come join us!

We have two group runs coming up!

Starting on Wednesday January 9th we will be meeting for an early morning run!
Time: 5:30AM
Where: Harmon Field track
Distance: Runners choice. Some of us might do track/speed workouts, others might walk. Either way, you will be in good company!


And, once again, this Saturday we are having a coffee run. We will run or run/walk 2 miles around Tryon then have coffee afterwards so we can get to know each other. This is a perfect time to come out and meet some like-minded people. You might even find a new training partner!

Where: Open Road Coffee House (687 North Trade Street, Tryon)
Time: 8:30AM
Distance: 2 miles

From last week!

Please add comments for other recommendations below!