In this post, we decided to bring you an interview with a friend who has recently told us of an activity goal he has set for himself. We thought it might help some of you out there thinking about starting to run or pursuing an active goal. We also thought it would be great to cheer Jesse on as he sets out on this worthy cause for himself. After all, everyone could do with a bit of accountability now and then š
Jesse is 31 and works in the IT industry as a team leader in Desktop Support. Here is his story…
Q: What is your goal?
I set myself a goal of being able to run 10km straight without stopping and to do this within 10 weeks. Also during this 10 weeks, Iām cutting out alcohol and Iām going to try and clean up my diet a bit more. Iām also going to weigh myself, to see what can be achieved in 10 weeks
Q: Why have you set this goal?
The reason I set it was because Iāve been running on and off for the last couple of months with no real goal and it was hard to focus. I looked at my running history, it was sort of like one week Iād do 3 runs and another Iād do 1 and then it was nothing for a couple of weeks. It was all over the place.The main goal is ā10 in 10ā. The goal will take me up to the 24th June. Iāve also set myself a goal within the 10 weeks to have run a total of 100km and run 2-3 times a week.
Q: So does that mean, one day, you might want to do a marathon? <cheekily> š
<Big pause and mutual laugh> I have no plan ever of doing a full marathon ā¦ yet ā¦ but Iāve not ruled out a half marathon sometime in my life.
Q: So other than having something to focus on, was there any health or other reason behind this goal?
Yes.Ā Well I have quite a sedentary job so I sit most times at a desk and move around a bit but not enough. Over the years technology has even reduced the amount of movement I do. The only sport or movement I was really doing was squash twice a week, and I wanted a complimentary activity to that. I didnāt really want to play any other racquet sports so I find running to be complimentary and it will be more about endurance rather than the quick spurts of energy in squash. The endurance will also help in longer squash games. I noticed this even in my runs earlier this year – it has helped me with endurance and not feel like Iām dying so I could concentrate on beating my opponent rather than trying to breath š
Q: What do you weigh at the moment –Ā if you don’t mind sharing?
97kg
Q: Whereabouts will you be running?
To start withā¦ because Iām lazy <chuckles>, I will be running around home, which is very hilly! After that I hope to transition to flatter grounds as Iāll be moving into my own house during the 10 weeks. My new home is down on the flats, so then I hope Iāll be springing along on the flat ground š . Iāll also transition into the longer runs once Iām down in the flats.
Q: If everything went to plan, what would be your ideal outcome after doing something like this?
Iād just like to feel healthier. Like I said, I havenāt got the goal of running a marathon or anything, but for me Iād like to go out and run 10kms (it might change when I get to 10kms) maybe even run 10kms twice a week. Iām not looking to continually expand till Iām doing 100kms or anything. I just want to be able to get out and run 10kms twice a week easily without any issues. If I could do that I would be happy with my level of fitness. I still havenāt quite got the runnerās high like you guys talk about …yet ā¦
<LOL Thatās ok. Itās not just about runningā¦>
Yep. Fitness is good. Also the family has had a history of diabetes and heart issues so I’m keen to do any exercise that is good to burn energy, bring your cardio up and counteract diabetes and heart issues. Iām in my early thirties now, so itās a good time to start (LOL).ā¦ itās a good time to start now before it gets too hard. From talking to family members and other people, it just gets harder the longer you wait to get active. If I can get active now, and stay active would be good.
Q: So youāre looking for it to be a lifestyle as such?
Yeah. I mean I donāt see myself running 3 days a week for the rest of my life but Iād still like to consistently run one big run or 2 and get that into the routine. Especially with the shorter runs Iāve done, Iāve found that when I got to a level where it wasnāt killing me as much,Ā where itās enjoyable, then I tend to do it more. So I want to build it up to where I can run further than that and run easy twice a week.
Q: Whatās been your longest run to date?
Would have to look it up on RunKeeper, but I think itās about 6.6kms
Q: And how did you feel with that?
I was pretty buggered <lots of laughter> ā¦ and that was flat not hills. Flat as a tack. I think Craig was there with me, so he was pushing me along š <laughter>
Q: So youāve mentionedĀ RunKeeper a couple of times. How do you find that as an application to keep a record of what youāre doing?
I like it, not just for the record keeping, but I found the other day that you can set goals with it. I also find it pushes me to keep running. Thereās times when Iām running where Iād like to stop and walk but I think, āIām recording thisā¦ā ā laughs < and if I post to facebook, everyoneās going to seeā¦> – laughs. Yeah, Iām a game player and itās sort of like playing a game where itās like Wii extreme. (Laughter) It gives you that motivation to get a high score. To me, I use it more as a motivational tool.Ā <so accountability?>Ā Yes accountability. I canāt cheat with it. It stops me cheating on my runs, which is good. Thereās been many times where Iāve thought, āIāll just stuff the run and walk homeā¦but noā¦Iām on the records so I better keep goingā
< I like how you say itās like a game too, cause when youāre having fun and getting that edge in a competition type thing, you do tend to want to achieve>
Thatās right. It is like a game and itās also just a good way to track and see where youāve come from. It might be slow and subtle but over the months if you can look back and see the runs. Iāve run about 140km all up since last August !!
Q: So is there a target event thatās in the horizon?
Well Iām definitely going to do the Darrell Chapman this year. Itās a good charity event and Iāve done the 6km the last couple or 3 years now. It would be a good comparison event, because each time Iāve done it before, Iāve not been able to do it without stopping to walk ā at times Iāve been racing against walkers (laughter) ā those damn speed walkers (laughter). To me, if I could run it in one go, it would be a good comparison event to say I have improved. Also, if I can get the 10km happening, Iād probably pick a 10km event, maybe at the Gold Coast 10k in July if I get there in time.
Q: If you could cast your mind back to the first time or first few times you started running, how did you feel?
Like dying (lots of mutual laughter)
<so was it safe to say, you didnāt enjoy it?> No I didn’t.Ā I thought it was ā¦ a challenge.. I would definitely not have done it on my own. Luckily I had a great mentor with me who pushed me and helped me. Back then we werenāt even doing 3ks ā 8mins on, 5mins off ā that was hardā¦ so it does show where Iāve come from. Yeah, without someone coming along, I definitely wouldnāt have done it.
Now, Iāve got myself to a position, where I can go and run on my own. Before I definitely wouldnāt have gone, āyeah letās just go for a runā¦ā <laughter>
Q: Does the encouragement of people on facebook or in real life help?
Definitely ā definitely. Iām not at that level yet where I can go out and run 3 days a week, cold in the mornings and not tell anyoneā¦ (laughter) <If Iām in pain theyāve got to know about it>. Encouragement definitely helps.
Q: Is there anything that inspires you in this arena of getting fitter and healthier?
Looking back at what Iāve done, I feel fitter and healthier and Iāve seen the advancement. It shows me I can get better at this. Iām never going to be an Olympic athlete, itās not my goal, but I think if I can get to a level where I feel much more healthier and lose the extra kilos ā the results I can achieve would inspire me.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being really bad and 10 being really healthy, how would you rate your current diet?
Iād be a 6 or 7. Not the worst. I definitely used to be a lot worse, but Iāve cut out some things.Ā Iāve cut down on soft drinks. I rarely eat sweets and sugars. Itās probably more the portion control and cutting out the temptation when Iām in a hurry to grab Maccaās or fast food.
Q: Do you take any supplements?
Occasionally I take multivitamins when I remember and glucosamine and fish oil for my joints. Early on I was noticing sore knees, but since Iāve taken them, my knees have been fine. Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Cause I am a bit heavy, with squash and running, my poor old knees get a bit of a pounding.
Q: Do you have any advice for those starting out running or getting fit?
If you can find a mentor or somebody else to run with you in the initial month or so, it would make it a lot easier. Even if they are at the same level as you, thatās better that way it will push you and them to get out and run in the morning. Cause if you wake up in the morning and itās just you, youāll go āItās coldā and go back to bed. If you wake up and someoneās waiting for you, then youāve got a much higher chance of actually going down there and running. (laughter)So my advice is, do it with somebody else because it makes it a lot easier. Find a buddy. Unless youāve got really good self-control, then you donāt need my advice (laughter).
Go Jesse, YOU CAN DO IT!! Proud of you! We’ll get an update 5 weeks in and at the end of the 10 weeks – stay tuned for Jesse’s adventures.
– Craig and Di
by Diana
I am so proud of you son – I read your interview and I can see where you have come from in your running and to where you are now setting goals with your running. Your Dad and my family does not have the best of health as you know and that is what makes me proud that you have learnt from us what you can do to prevent some of these health issues for yourself. I will cheer you from the sides when you run a half marathon – and as a small goal for myself I will start running up and down my driveway hill and see where it can take me – you are a great inspiration for all – keep going – you will succeed as you have in many other areas of your life.