After my first post, you might be wondering: “So what’s the actual plan here?”
I’ve tried gimmicks before. I’ve tried diets that weren’t sustainable. I’ve tried just about every running app out there. This time, I want something simple, something I can stick to. Here’s where I’m starting.
The Running Plan
I’m using the Runna App, starting with their “New to Running 5K” plan. Yeah, I’ve run in the past — I even trained up to 12 miles once — but let’s be real: right now, I need to approach this like I’ve never run before. I’m a newborn giraffe at this point.
So I’m easing in with a Run/Walk approach that will probably carry me through most of this first plan. The idea is simple: slowly increase the amount I run, let my body adjust, and stay healthy enough to keep showing up. Once I get through the 5k plan, then I can move onto either a 10k plan or a half marathon plan. I’m still figuring this out.
I’ll be running three days a week — this week it’s Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Long-term, my accountability recaps will always come on Tuesdays, looking back at the prior week. But this week, I’ll do a special Thursday recap of my very first run back.
The Gear I’m Using
Shoes: Brooks Glycerin GTS. My very first running shoes were Nike Shox because I bought into their little shoe tracker you could stick inside. My second pair were Brooks, and honestly, I’ve been a Brooks guy ever since — with a brief fling with New Balance and Hoka. But I always end up back with Brooks. We’ll talk more about shoes another day.
Watch: Apple Watch Ultra. I’ve thought about switching to Garmin (runners love them), but I can’t give up the safety features the Ultra gives me — fall detection, cellular plan, all of it. It gives me peace of mind when I’m out early in the mornings.
Clothes: 3XL Tall shirts (I’m 6’2”) and shorts that fit. Nothing fancy right now — comfort is priority one. There are two pieces of clothing I don’t really skimp on and that’s underwear and socks. I used to get rubbed raw from underwear and socks I tried a ton of them. ExOfficio have been my go to. Underwear for probably 10 years now. I’ve not found better. For socks I have two brands I’ve used exclusively for a while, Feetures and Swiftwick. There’s something about Feetures that seem comfortable to me and Swiftwick wick sweat unlike anything I’ve seen. Swiftwick is probably my most used sock brand.
Headphones: I’ll definitely make a full post about music and headphones at some point because I’m an audiophile. I’ve tried Bose, Sennheiser, Beats. Truthfully, none of them have had the bass I wish they did. Right now I’m using Beats Fit Pro because they connect so smoothly with my Apple gear and they do sound as good as anything I’ve tried. I’m open to trying others (brands, feel free to hit me up…).
The Diet Plan (For Now)
For the first 30 days, the main focus is intermittent fasting and eating at home — first meal around lunch, last meal in the evening. I may struggle with this because I love breakfast, but that’s what this is about: Trying things. I’ve done it in the past before with some success, so I thought it might be a good starting point to help shrink my appetite(there is a science behind it).
I’ll be eating a pretty good mix of foods. Not going all “lean meats only,” but definitely being more mindful. Less eating out, more control over portions, more protein up front to help me stay full. I’ll have meals that go off the rails, some of them will even be planned, but the idea is that this is a (half)marathon, not a sprint. If you’re better over 30 days, then 1 meal doesn’t matter. After 30 days, I’ll reassess and decide what direction to take next.
Why I’m Sharing This
This blog is my accountability. Writing it down makes it real. It also gives me a record to look back on months from now. When I’m 40 pounds lighter and running farther than I thought possible, I want to remember where I started.
This is the plan. It’ll change. I’ll adjust. But right now, it’s enough.
When I’ll post
My goal is to post every Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesdays will be my weekly recap, and Thursdays will focus on gear, running advice, life, and motivation. I may occasionally add bonus posts — a great recipe, something important that happened, or anything worth sharing — but Tuesdays and Thursdays will remain the foundation.
What’s Next
The next time you see a post from me, I’ll have gone out for my first run under this plan. It won’t be pretty, and it won’t be fast. But it’ll be a start. Thursday’s post will be my honest recap — no filters, no pretending. Just the truth.
Because that’s the only way this works.
