Resolving to Run in 2012

“You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.” ― Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

I mentioned in a previous post that I had started reading Born to Run, Christopher McDougall’s bestseller about ultrarunning and the Tarahumara of Northern Mexico. Well, I finished reading the book in just a few sittings and loved it. Although if there’s one thing I’m now entirely sure of, it’s that ultrarunning is way too hardcore for me. I enjoy distance running and it’s one of my focuses for 2012, but I’ll be more than satisfied if I complete my goal of two half-marathons and train consistently this year.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been waking early and spending my mornings at Viveros de Coyoacán, one of my favorite outdoor running paths in Mexico City. I’ve also been adding chia seeds to my green breakfast smoothies and dissolving the seeds in water and lime juice to make the Tarahumara power drink called iskiate, or chia fresca, that McDougall describes in the book — it’s not going to turn me into an ultrarunner like the Tarahumara, but it does provide a nice energy boost at 5:30 AM.

And over the weekend I went ahead and registered for my very first organized running event in Mexico City, a 10K race that’s coming up in March, and I have plans to train for and run in the Father’s Day half-marathon in Tlalpan Park in June.

I’m adapting a 10K training plan that came in the latest issue of Runner’s World Mexico, one of the few magazines that I buy on a regular basis. The magazine publishes a monthly travel column called “En Ruta” which maps out local running routes in different cities each month. I’ve been tearing out the pages from each issue and saving them for when I finally get around to visiting each of the featured cities and can do some sightjogging of my own. After all, there’s nothing quite like exploring a new city on foot, although it doesn’t hurt to pick up some cheap holiday insurance first.

This particular training plan assumes four or five running days per week. After my recent running streak, I realize the importance of consistency to maintaining a regular running schedule. When I start taking days off from training I lose focus and before I know it an entire week has gone by and I’ve hardly moved from my desk. So instead of four or five days, I’m planning on six running days per week — including one easy day — just to keep the momentum going, and Carlos has agreed to join me on Sundays.

I’ve been enjoying getting out early in the morning, it’s one of my favorite times of day and, in my opinion, quite possibly the nicest time of day to be outdoors in Mexico City. There’s a certain quiet peacefulness during the early morning hours. The city’s just waking up, there’s a slight chill in the air and the skies are still relatively clear.

What are some of your fitness goals for 2012 and how do you stay motivated?

Photo credit: via flickr