Take 5 to Run

Before today’s post, an administrative note: Thanks for the great response to last Friday's VivoBarefoot coupon code giveaway. For those of you who didn’t receive the coupon code from me over the weekend, it’s because I couldn’t find an e-mail address in your comment or your profile. Feel free to contact me directly at info@runningandrambling.com so I can send you the code. Anyone else is welcome to jump in between now and the end of March as well.

That's all for now; on with the post ...

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Evangelism has never been one of my gifts.

My philosophy in promoting running to others is remarkably similar to my approach to religion. I abide by certain customs and rules and values, not because of how they make me look to others, but because I truly believe in them. If someone happens to take notice or inquire as to why I do the things I do, or believe the things I believe, I’m happy to have that discussion – but I’ll never beat someone over the head with unsolicited advice or opinions about how to live his or her life.

My friend Mike, on the other hand, is the runner’s equivalent of Billy Graham. He truly believes that anybody, anywhere, of any age can become a runner – and it’s become a personal mission of sorts for him to preach the benefits of running to as many people as will listen, and convert as many runners to the faith as possible. Best of all, it’s not just lip service; he walks the walk (or maybe runs the run?) as well, happily mentoring any new runner he encounters, teaching clinics whenever he gets an opportunity, and taking a leadership role in Monterey County’s very successful Just Run youth running initiative.

Last week’s Monterey Herald column was his brainchild, and it’s a call to arms in America’s battle against sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity. It’s one of those “pay it forward” ideas that seems hopelessly, naively optimistic at first – but after you think it over for a while, you find yourself asking, “Well … why wouldn’t that work?”

And if you’re really inspired, Mike even set up a Facebook page, for which I’m apparently an administrator. Given the frequency that I’m actually on Facebook (i.e. never), the page will probably be needing some TLC in the near future – so if you’d like to get involved, feel free to contact Mike on that page. I’ll include the link after the post.

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Running Life 3/11/10 “Take 5 to Run”

Our previous column was delivered from atop a soapbox, lamenting the obesity problem that plagues the health and well-being of American children. Unfortunately, the last 30 years of public service announcements, nutritional education, and instruction on physical activity has done little to curb the epidemic, as kids (not to mention adults) are still getting fatter.

So this week’s column is a call to action, and we’re encouraging all of our running friends to get involved. It’s time to stop talking about the issue, and start DOING something about it.

If you’re like us, you know how great running makes you feel, both physically and mentally. You know how beneficial it is for your cardiovascular health and emotional well being. You also know how rewarding it feels to share these experiences with others.

So here’s what we want you to do: participate in an effort called Take 5 to Run. It’s not an official program; in fact, we just made it up. But the premise is pretty simple, and has the potential to be highly effective.

Look at the numbers. There are currently 30 million adults who claim they run at least a few times a month. 10 million of them run “regularly” and entered organized races last year. These are the people who we’re asking to Take 5 to Run.

Over the course of one year, invite 5 of your non-running friends for a run. Encourage them to get started, help them select shoes if needed, and take them on an easy jog. Help them through the initial uncertainty, and celebrate their every accomplishment on their way to starting a running program.

Later, ask them to pay it forward; once they are established runners, recommend that they take another 5 people out for a run. And so on and so on. Do the math: if 10 million runners recruit 50 million non-runners, and that group grows to 250 million in a couple of years … before you know it we have a nation of runners and the obesity trend is reversed.

Obviously, we aren’t naive enough to think that everyone will successfully convert 5 others, but we optimistically believe that many of you are capable of drawing new runners in. As long as the numbers trend in the right direction, we’ll still end the epidemic. So how do you instruct someone to start? Remember the name of the game.

Take 5 to Run is a phrase that can also be used as a blueprint to get friends or kids started. The first run or walk should only be 5 minutes. Aim for a habit of 5 minutes per day, 5 days a week. Tell 5 people about it, for moral support and to hold yourself accountable. Select one day to increase your distance by 5 more minutes, and then another day, and then another and another as you continue to improve.

We’d also love to see the running industry step up and help people Take 5 to Run. Shoe companies or specialty running stores could give discounts to those who are buying their first pair of shoes and mention Take 5 to Run. Races should give discounts to those who are entering their first race after they’ve Taken 5 to Run. Get some national running organizations on board, and who knows where this might end up.

But for the time being, it can all begin with you. Take the pledge, and Take 5 to Run.

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Addendum: see the Facebook page for Take 5 to Run, and let us know if you’d like to help maintain it.