One of the most important things to remember when coping with a divorce is to put yourself first. While engaging in physical activity may be the last thing on your mind, the benefits of exercise are well worth the extra time and effort. Not only will you become stronger and healthier, but you will also find yourself thinking more clearly and feeling better, too. Training for a 5K is one of the best ways to get yourself motivated to start taking better care of your health. Talk to your doctor to make sure running is a workout that is right for you. If you get the go ahead, here are some tips as well as a 5K race training guide to help you get started!
Step 1: Activate to Motivate.
Find a 5K in your area, sign up, and share the news with friends and family. Sharing your plan and progress on social media may motivate you to complete your training. You may even recruit a running partner! Running 3.1 miles may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Setting a deadline will help motivate you to train in order to reach your goal.
Step 2: Use a 5K Schedule.
Use a 5K schedule to help you slowly build your momentum up to racing a 5K. With a little planning and preparation you will find yourself able to run every step of the way. If you haven’t been exercising at all lately, spend the first several weeks alternating running and walking until you can comfortably run for 10 minutes. Even a seasoned runner spends part of their training time walking, so start slowly.
The 5K beginner’s training guide from the Mayo Clinic gives you step-by-step guidance to help you slowly build mileage and endurance the smart way, without causing any injuries or undue stress. By following this or a similar schedule, you should be ready for race day in approximately two months.
Print out your training schedule, and stick it on the refrigerator or somewhere else in plain sight.
Step 3: Celebrate With Your Community.
Set reminders in your phone to stay on track, and be proud of what you are accomplishing. Keep your community up to date and on the day of the race, invite friends and family to meet you at the finish line and cheer you on. The benefits of exercise are worth the time, especially when coping with a divorce. Today, make self-care your number one priority!
If you are contemplating divorce, or struggling with a high-conflict divorce procedure, let Tamara Harris, CEO of Tamara Harris LLC, be your partner as you navigate through each stage of your journey. As an impartial, experienced professional, Tamara will work directly with you to give you the best tools and strategies to manage the specific challenges and uncertainties of divorce. Serving as your Divorce Coach and advocate, she will help you see clearly during this time where emotions can often impede and derail your divorce procedure. While each member of your high-conflict divorce team – lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, and other experts – will be advising you, Tamara will help you to synthesize this information, think strategically about the options you have with clarity and purpose, and get your divorce across the finish line. Visit tamaraharris.com for more information, or contact Tamara Harris to discuss becoming a client. All inquires will be held in confidence.