Kilometers – Weight Loss Diet Solutions

Well last weekend my long awaited Kidney March took place and I was as, you could expect, nervous about the prospect of walking 100 kilometers in 3 days. I have to say that it had a profound effect on me.

We started with an early morning after a late night of packing for ourselves and our kids. Actually the one thing that made us a bit crazy is that our daughter, the one with kidney disease, was in the hospital until Thursday afternoon but looked to be fine for the weekend. So the walk was a go after a drive, a bus trip, and the opening ceremonies in Millarville where the walk started.

Getting Started on Kidney March

There were 170 people on the walk and as we started everything went well but about halfway through the first day my wife started having trouble with her hips and in the end she pulled out after about 25 kilometers on the first day. As luck would have it the rain started falling after that and I walked the final 10 kilometers with a lady and her daughter and one other person because as we all know misery loves company. By the end of the 8 hours on the road I was exhausted after walking 34 kilometers on hard road and barely ate and showered and fell asleep. No blisters though!

On day 2, the Saturday the rain was pouring down on us all day and I started and ended the day with soggy running shoes. The thing that I felt really kept us going was the motivation of the Kidney March Crew, they were like cheerleaders to all the walkers. Also the medical staff making sure that we were all feeling good and not so cold or blistered.

The other thing that the Kidney March Crew did was to make sure that we were well fed and hydrated every three or so kilometers. On a dark rainy day this really matters. My wife made it around 25 kilometers this day as well with problems with her stomach this time. I made it to the end but even though I was very wet and a bit cold and hungry but I sure felt better than I did after the first day. I ended up walking for about 9 hours on the Saturday but I had more energy and felt way better after a shower.

One of the greatest things ever on the second day of the Kidney March was that a tent was setup in the campground with heaters pumping in. This allowed everyone to dry shoes and jackets so that we would be much warmer in the evening and dry shoes to walk in on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning we woke up to sun and dry shoes. I can not tell you just how great it was to have my feet by warm and shoes shaped to my feet. The last day of Kidney March is the shortest as the end has a celebration at Calgary Olympic Park at 3:00 so everyone needs to have good pace to make it there on time.

There were still hills to climb on the Sunday just like the preceding two days but my wife started with a blistering walking pace that we were able to keep up unitl lunchtime. On this day, just to change things up again, my wife had some terrible ankle pain and had to have her foot wrapped and we slowed down a bit but still finished the 28 kilometers in about 7 hours or so and in time for the ending closing ceremonies.

How I Feel Now About Kidney March

I think I had the start of a couple blisters by the end but I was very fortunate to have no real blisters or leg pain that so many others had. I believe part of that is due to the fact that I have been wearing the same running shoes for a few months so they fit me great now

This Kidney March experience was for me one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was able to raise over $2200 for Kidney research thanks to so many people that donated. Also I got closer to my limits, I walked for about 24 hours over three days so I had a real chance to see how my body and mind reacted to the pain of the walking and the time on the road. I got down on myself at times, and I was very excited at other times and could feel this in my body.

Mostly though last weekend I will always remember the people I met. I heard a lot of stories from people that had been given Kidneys by others as well as people that were supporting friends or living themselves with Kidney Disease so now the experience that my family is going through does not feel so lonely. I really feel like a part of a community and this will keep me invested in the ideals of the Kidney March that I fully expect that I will walk again next year.

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One of the most grueling races in the world is to run a marathon. Anyone who wants to run a marathon needs proper preparation and training. It is said that when you join a marathon, you are not only competing with other marathon runners but you are competing primarily with yourself. When running a marathon, mental preparation is as important as physical conditioning. During the final kilometers of the run, sheer determination may be the only thing pushing you to finish the race.

Start Small to Run a Marathon

Keep in mind that a full marathon is a daunting 42.2 kilometers, or around 26 miles. If you have never run a marathon before, it’s advisable to start by joining short distance races such as a 5K run. After competing in a number of 5K races, you may want to join 10K runs. Be sure to train properly for these short distance races. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to run a half marathon (21 kilometers) and even a full marathon.

Running shorter distance races will allow you to gauge your level in running, as well as your endurance level. Once you are able to run shorter races easily and confidently, you can proceed to running marathons.

Physical Preparation Getting Ready For a Marathon

Preparing to Ran a Marathon

Running coaches advise against running a marathon unless you have been running consistently for about a year. Before joining a marathon, you should be training four to five days a week and averaging at least 25 miles per week. If you have not reached this level of running, choose a suitable training program that will bring you up to the proper level. Running a marathon without proper physical training will increase the risk of injury and/or not finishing the race.

Cross training and weight training can also help you complete a marathon. These workouts increase your energy and develop muscles that may be neglected if you focus on running alone.

Mental Preparation – Marathons are Long and Tough

There is a lot of mental work involved when you train for a marathon. You have to believe and know that you can do it. Training is not easy, nor is running a marathon. There are tricks you can do to mentally prepare for a marathon. You can try to imagine running effortlessly and visualize reaching the finish line. Some people find that it helps when they “talk” themselves into completing the race.

It also helps if you break the course into sections mentally. Instead of thinking of completing 42 kilometers, think of running 5 or 10 kilometers. After completing one section, think of running the next until you successfully run the full marathon.

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