Going Tribal.

     I  recently came across an Ebook on the MyFitnessPals blog that talked about finding a Fitness Tribe.  (Heres a link for ya.  http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/2014/05/myfitnesspal-ebook-the-rise-of-the-fitness-tribe/) "What the hell is a Fitness Tribe?" I wondered. So I downloaded the book and gave it a perusal. It was an easy read and actually got me thinking. Heres the definition of a Fitness Tribe according to MyFitnessPal:
     So basically its your bros or hos that you workout, run, or diet with. According to the research presented in the book simply put, you do better with a support group. Surrounding yourself with a group of like minded people creates a support system, that can prove invaluable. Having people that can back you up and with whom to share knowledge with and be accountable to gives you a better shot at succeeding on your fitness journey.
      I know that for myself I feel more inspired to go to the gym and keep on my diet when I have people overseeing me. Not saying I want people to tell me what to do or hold my hand. No, I mean just having people that I can have at my back or share both triumphs and letdowns with. It helps. Also helpful is having individuals that you can turn to for advice when your unsure of what you're doing. I often feel clueless about exercise, so I am fortunate enough to have some friends I can ask about it. Sure, you can look stuff up online, and that can be very helpful. But being able to talk to someone, one on one and get feedback as to if your form is right or if this routine works or what not can be crucial to your success.
     Its not just support that helps if you have a Fitness Tribe, it can be a lot of fun to do fun healthy activities together. When I go to the gym, I love having someone to go with. I dont need them to be next to me on the treadmill or even helping with the weights. I find it fun to be able to just say "Hey you see the res and sets I just did with the weights.?" Or even enjoying an achievement they may have had. Going jogging, trail running, biking or any other such activity with somebody else 1) Gives you someone to chat with so you do not get bored. 2) It gives you someone to compete against and gage your skills. In short it makes exercising fun.
     Im going to take the advice found in the book and try to put together a Fitness Tribe of my own. I have had success in the past when I have friends on the journey from Fatman to Batman with me before and I can definitely use some more. Whats your Tribe like?

Basically, Run you Clever Boy!

     I had an amazing time at the Color Me Rad Run on Sunday. For those that don't know, Color Me Rad is a 5k in which you are shot at with colored powder as you run. You wear white to ensure that the paint shows up on you. Dont worry it adheres to skin and hair just as well. I loved this run. It isn't timed like other 5ks as the whole point is to have fun as you get blasted with paint. Although from my best guess it took me 52 minutes to complete the course. Not my best but still better than anyone who was sitting on their couch.
     Color Me Rad is important to me because its the event that inspired me to take up running. Roughly 3 years ago my friend Cindy had posted on Facebook that she was going to run the CMR and was very excited about it. I looked it up as I was curious. It looked amazing. I posted a link to it on FB and said that I would love to do this someday but there was no way I could. My friend Amy asked me why not and suggested that I join her at the Spac Rock and Run that year. After talking to my buddy Rob who said that the only way I would know if I could do it or not is if I tried, I signed up. In spite of my apprehension at what I thought would be me making a fool of myself I so much fun. After the race I first experienced what is known as a runners high. I found myself swearing that I would run a 10k in a couple of months, followed by a marathon. Thankfully everyone knew that twas the adrenaline rush talking and didn't hold me to it.
    Because of that run I went on to do the Firecracker 4 where I beat my Rock and Run time. And I also went on to do the Rock and Run again, where I had my best runtime ever of 38 minutes. My success at these events spring from my wanting to do the Color Me Rad. So when I heard that it was coming to town I had to do it. Next year I plan on doing it again but this time with a few people and running at a better pace. It was nice to come full circle in a sense. I had a chance to see just how far Ive come from the Fatman wishing he could do a run, to getting up off the couch and doing them.