I like “being in the zone” just as much as anyone else, but we all need to challenge ourselves in order to learn and grow.  When I am “in the zone” you will usually find me on the basketball court, on the golf course, or maybe even conversing with someone of the opposite sex.   If you want to find me “zoning out” just look to my comfortable leather couch and no further.  I’m probably watching some pointless reality show; but enjoying it nonetheless.  So obviously there are many types of zones to be in but today I am challenging you to get out of a zone; your comfort zone?. Where is your comfort zone?  Check somewhere “inside the box.”

Every time I go for a run over 10 miles I try to run somewhere new.  Whether I am starting from my house or traveling by car to a trail-head, I try to experience a new environment on my run.  This weekend it only took 4 miles from my house to get out of my comfort zone.  I ran to a lower socioeconomic area of town early on a Sunday morning where I did not see one person that was the same race as I.  Being around people that don’t look like you is one way to get out of your comfort zone.  Here are some of the things that I noticed in this zone that I was not used to:  a quick handshake on a corner with the two parties retreating quickly in opposite directions, presumably an illegal transaction.  A makeshift soup-kitchen which consisted of a van, a couple of tables, and huge metal container of soup in an empty parking lot with a lot of people happily being served.  A man yelling at a woman walking behind him in a crosswalk saying, “I’m yelling at you because you won’t hurry up.  I’m late to go see my girl!”  She responded with, “I wouldn’t be walking this slow if you hadn’t gotten me pregnant, (explicit name)!”  She looked to be about 8 months pregnant so was understandably walking slowly.  So what does this mean?  It means that in order for us to grow and understand ourselves we must go out of our comfort zones and experience things we may not ever experience.

Running can take you out of your comfort zone.  Not necessarily by traveling to a different place than you are used to but the fact that you are constantly pushing yourself and challenging yourself to achieve new things you have never attempted.  Every time you think about slowing down but instead keep running is moving outside of your comfort zone.  People generally put a lot of effort into keeping their lives constant, but I challenge you to push closer to the edges of “your box.”  I’m always trying to stay edgy, that’s why I watch MTV sometimes to see what the kids are up to.  You have to make a conscious effort to break down your comfort walls.  Although I am a strict proponent of running, try starting with changing up your exercise routine with other activities other than running.  Better yet, try other exercises while still visiting seriousrunning.com and reading this blog daily!  Talk about edgy!

Just like we strive to diversify our investment portfolios (I’m risk-loving so I don’t adhere to this mantra) and our diets we need to diversify our exercise.  I know what you are thinking, ‘I run 5ks and marathons.  I diversify my work-outs.’  Sorry, that doesn’t count running man.  While running is great for the overall health of your body, it does puts stress on the same joints and builds particular muscles more than others.  That is why I recommend adding some other activities to your training.  Some suggestions are mountain biking, hiking, or kayaking to work out different muscles which will actually help to improve your running.  If you are an avid runner, I understand, try changing your running patterns by running on more trails or running steps.  Obviously, I think just by running a different route you are getting outside of you comfort zone so try that at the very least.  Exercising outside of your comfort zone prevent injuries (unless you fall off your mountain bike or something) and will leave your body more balanced.  Now you don’t have to drink as much V8!  Sweet!

Please stop being a square (box) and become a well rounded individual like our ancestors, the original “Renaissance People.”  No, I don’t mean showing your wealth by being rounded (fat) or eating so much that you throw up because you can afford to.  Don’t waste food, there’s soup kitchens in parking lots!

I was recently speaking with one of my friends the other day who said, “My New Year’s resolution this year is the same as last, to lose weight.”  Of course I laughed out loud at my friend’s obvious irony.  I told him what he needed was a more concrete, realistic goal.  If weight loss was the only thing he wanted to achieve, then set a goal in pounds, but then I began to think, “Is weight loss really what he is looking for?”  I think too many of us set weight loss goals in pounds lost and ignore all of the other positive attributes we gain from being in better shape.  Whether it be walking up a couple of flights of stairs without losing our breath or looking better in our clothes, weight loss doesn’t have to be all about the weight.  So I decided instead of a weight loss resolution my friend should just make a “Resolve to Run.”  I then quickly created a group on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=105275530330#/group.php?gid=105275530330&ref=mf to see if others would get behind my cause.  Feel free to join this movement!

I consider myself a serious runner, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to constantly set goals to challenge myself in running.  In order to get behind my own movement I have decided to set a goal this year to qualify for the Boston marathon.  This past year I ran a marathon in which I finished 14 minutes over the qualifying time for Boston.  So I would say this is a lofty but very achievable goal for me.  Wish me luck and I’ll keep you posted on my progress on this blog.

So why get behind Resolve to Run instead of simply to run instead of lose weight?  I’ve found that there is no better way to lose weight and burn calories than to run. I’m not a doctor, but I am a dude who went from 185 to 155 pounds about two years ago and have kept it off! It is simple. No matter what television commercials say or what you tell yourself, the bottom line is: The only way to get the most effective use of your workout is to “beat the street” (or trail). You WILL burn calories. Along with the weight loss benefits you will become more fit overall. You’ll even become more mentally fit, running is the best stress reliever I’ve ever found. Running just makes you feel good. Don’t you want to feel good?

If you Resolve to Run you will stick with it for the whole year. The main reason is because you are able to give yourself positive feedback along the way. Every time you finish a run you feel a sense of accomplishment. Set your goal to run a certain amount every week and then challenge yourself to improve upon that. You will improve. Another great way to get a sense of accomplishment is to make that race you’ve always wanted to run your goal. Honestly, I’ve accomplished many things in my life that I can be very proud of (like being a contestant on the “Price is Right” Bob Barker era), but finishing a marathon ranks in my top five accomplishments for sure. Shoot, I even have it on my resume under interests! Maybe your Resolve to Run will land you a new job. Hey, anything helps in an economy like this one. Did I mention running is free?

So this New Years make a goal you can keep, Resolve to Run. You’ll lose weight, feel healthier, and maybe even accomplish something you can hang your hat on for years to come. So get out there and just RESOLVE TO RUN!