Breaking Four

Over the past several years, friends have suggested to me that I write a blog (I write for a living so the suggestion wasn't out of the ordinary). I always said the timing wasn't right for a few reasons.

• I didn't have a hook. I could have written about an array of topics to which some could maybe relate, but I’m not an expert in anything nor did I have something to market.
• In addition to that hook, a blog has to be authentic. As a reader, you have to feel as though every word being communicated is felt deeply by the writer. That only happens when the writer believes fully about what he/she writing. I never wanted to blog just to blog.
• Lastly, readers must get something out of your posts. If someone is willing to give up five minutes of his/her time to visit your blog, that person should walk away believing it’s been time well spent.

Today I feel I can deliver.

I have set a goal to run a sub-4 hour marathon in September 2013. I fully realize this is no extraordinary feet -- hundreds of thousands of people have accomplished it. But I never have. In fact, until January 2011, I was never a runner. I was so far away from being a runner that I would have elected to drive my car around the block rather than walk ... much less run.

The times they are a-changin’.

Since that first day in January when I put one foot in front of the other in quick succession, my husband and I have run five half marathons and a solid mix of 5Ks and 10Ks. Not in one race, however, have we ever focused on time. We took up running to stay fit and because we wanted something we could enjoy and do together (yes, we actually enjoy running).

That, too, is about to change.

Why now? Why not now! Neither of us is getting any younger and we enjoy pushing our fitness levels. We want to be here for a very long time. While there aren't any guarantees, a healthy, fit lifestyle at the very least gets you going in the right direction.

So maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “I’m not a runner. I can’t relate.” When it comes to maintaining good health and cardiovascular fitness, we can all relate to one another. We all face personal challenges, failures, lazy days, overeating, etc. At Breaking Four we’re going to meet those challenges head on, and get through them together.

By writing this blog and sharing my experiences, I am committed to you to staying on my path to "breaking four." I’ll look to you for inspiration and I hope in some way I can return the favor and inspire each of you to walk a little faster, run an extra mile, push yourself for an extra 10 minutes on the elliptical, or reach for a piece of fruit instead of a doughnut.

Whatever your fitness level or your exercise du jour, you have a place here.

Cheers … K