Gotta Start Somewhere

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Don't Give UpA few weeks ago I was feeling sluggish. I sit most of the day at work. My legs felt particularly achy, and the best way I can describe the feeling in my back was “crunchy”. Those of you who are 50-ish can probably relate to that description!

I decided to start a walking group in our community and posted it on Facebook. The first day we met, one of my neighbors said he always wanted to run the Tunnel to Towers 5K. This is an annual fundraiser in memory of Firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life on September 11. (For more information about Tunnel to Towers: http://tunnel2towers.org/stephens-story)

I told him, “Hey, let’s do it!” At this point in my life, and through my experience with the Time to Play project, I will work to make anyone’s vision a reality if it is in my power to do so.

So… here’s the thing. Running is not easy for me. The last time I “ran” was in 2004 when I successfully completed a 5K in close to 31 minutes (long story on how I got involved in that!).  And, I do use the word “run” very loosely. I know there are diehard runners, and that’s truly not my skill level. That said, we started meeting every other day to train with a program called From Couch to 5K except for when our schedules did not permit. A few other neighbors also join us at the track periodically.

When my running partner left for a week of vacation, I went out by myself to continue the training program. I found it harder to follow the program without the camaraderie, and did not get as far as when we were at the track together… but, that’s o.k.!

I’m taking “baby steps” and I am still going.

The term “baby steps” may pertain to many things we attempt to do in our lives. Think about it. We sometimes have to take “baby steps” in relationships, job searches, diet changes, learning, or achieving a desire.

BUT, I believe that it is better to take a “baby step”, and to keep at it, then to not take any step at all.

Sometimes we may have to go out of our comfort zone when we’re starting something new. I believe it is rare when we do or try something one time and become an “expert”. There are many sayings that we can utilize here to emphasize this point, for example one I heard since I was little: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”.

Starting is never easy. But the key is to start.  Here’s a link to some more quotes that might drive you to keep going.

With that in mind, what is something you’ve always wanted to do? What is something in your life that you plan to do “someday”?

Well, maybe “someday” can be today.

What’s that first “baby step” you can take?

With the Couch to 5K app we downloaded, we don’t have to do much planning in order to complete the 5K in September. The 8 week program does all the planning work for us, and all we need to do to build our endurance incrementally to run the 3.1 miles is to push a button and following the program.

Maybe what you desire to accomplish requires a little more planning or a little more work to get from “point a” to “point b”.

Take out a pen and paper and start a list to achieve.

Again, the key word is “START”.

It’s time to enjoy life. It’s time to play.

Love, Doreen

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Doreen Guma, MA, FACHE, CPC, CLC is a board certified healthcare executive, a certified professional life coach, the founder of the Time to Play Foundation, a 501c3 not for profit corporation inspiring everyone to enjoy life and author of If I Knew Then What I Know Now, Our Quest for Quality of Life.  The concept behind time to Play and the Time to Play Foundation was absolutely created out of LOVE. Please see http://timetoplay.com/ for more information.

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