THE REAL DEAL

In my first couple of posts I focused on how I am feeling - in this post I want to let you know what I have been DOING (although, being me, I am sure there will be some feeling in there too).

As a member of the Covenant Health - Knoxville Marathon "Biggest Winner" team, I have been completely resourced for success.  I have a team - including a team manager, dietitian, life coach and  assistant coaches all lead by Coach Missy Kane.  We get a fitness assessment, running assessment, access to the wonderful Ft.Sanders Health and Fitness Center and support from other sponsors like New Balance Knoxville, who helped get us in to some properly fitted running shoes.

Being a non-athlete I have found myself shopping for foreign items like "sweat wicking" t-shirts and padded bike shorts for spinning.  (NOTE:  Do not, under any circumstances, underestimate the importance of padded bike shorts).

Out team dietitian gave me a calorie range to work with and based on the recommendation of Joe, one of our assistant coaches, I am tracking my food, water and exercise in an app called "My Fitness Pal".  Using this app has become a bit of a game for me and takes alot of the guess work out of things.

Coach Missy Kane creates individual training plans for each of us, including things like spinning, weight training, cardio on various machines and of course, walking/running.  It is up to me to make doing it all a priority and fitting it in to my crazy life.  Six AM spin class, anyone?

Last Saturday we went on our first group run.  It will not surprise you to learn that I have never been on a group run.  I cannot begin to tell you how nervous I was about this.  My 20 year old son went along for exercise and moral support and we showed up at 7:45 AM (in case you missed this - 7:45 AM - ON A SATURDAY).

About 90 folks a various fitness levels had gathered for this run.  Guess what?  I ran some, I walked some, I finished and I felt amazing.  For the first time in my 48 year life, I may be beginning to understand what is 'so great' about exercise.  Even when you are really sore the next day, it is a reminder of what you have accomplished.

A word on my teammates - I had always heard that having an "exercise buddy" was a great way to go.  Frankly, that sounded crazy to me.  In my mind the only thing worse that working out was having someone I know actually watch me do it.

I was wrong.

These folks have created a fun, inspiring community that makes getting up for 6 AM spin class something you can (almost)  look forward to. We cheer each other on, push each other a bit and joke around alot.  Having never played a team sport in my life I never understood what was so great about being on a team.  Now I know.  I am really proud to be on this one.

- Kim
                                                                    

 

                                                                                              
                This pic was from our first team workout - which was disguised  as a photo shoot!

                                                                   After spin class!