Runner’s World+ Member: Kevin van Delden
Kevin is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print.
Running has literally physically changed me. Over a few years I gained a little weight (this avoids admitting it was about 50 pounds) and reached 220 pounds. I am about 5’11 (my wife says 5’10) and ‘slightly’ overweight. Luckily for me, a close friend of mine was also ‘slightly’ overweight. Let’s say that we couldn’t see our belt buckle. We created a weight loss challenge, and both aimed for a specific weight. What’s the best way to lose weight in addition to better eating habits? Running.
I literally began with walking at a faster pace, and then evolved to walking/running, and finally, running. I ran a few 10K races. Pretty happy at a 1:02 time. Today I’m down to 46 minutes.
Run a marathon someone said. I said,“Are you crazy? Who does such a thing? I have a car.” Soon after, booked a half marathon, three months later a 30K race, then a full marathon. Six marathons done since then.
I have incorporated running into my life and vacations. My friend and I ran a 10K in historic London, England. My favorite race ever! We have travelled to St. George, Mesa, and Seattle for marathons. Great vacations!
I lost fifty pounds and became much healthier. Junk food still calls my name every day. Often, I answer that call. About ten pounds keeps reappearing. A struggle, but much happier with my good health.
I’m a bit of a junkie when it comes to information about running, gear, shoes, and exercise, and joining RW+ gave me that extra information. I also had the Runner’s Box for about eight months, which gave me various samples and gear used for running.
I’ve got to be honest. I don’t always want to get off my butt to run. Too wet, too hot, too cold, too busy…blah, blah. But I use a running plan for six days per week, and it has various paces and distances to complete. I think the thing I love the most is to meet or beat the challenge. Today it was 5K, then 8x800 at a 4:45 pace (in km) and a 3K cool down. I changed it to 6x1K at a 4:35 pace. I didn’t think I was up to it. Nailed it. Felt great.
Cancelled races are a downer and it is hard to keep motivated. Before Covid I signed up for a 2020 1,500 mile challenge. Finished it today and it was amazing!
A few of us signed up for a virtual 10K in October. This does help with the motivation a little, but nothing beats the real race.
So, running isn’t always my favorite activity, but goals and races sure motivate!
My friend and I run almost every Saturday morning together. He runs a 10K and I run whatever my goal for the day tells me. I find that is so motivating to get going when someone is waiting for me. I run to his house and then we run around Fish Trap Creek in Abbotsford, on the Discovery Trail. We have to cross a busy road or two, adding to the challenge. The trail is paved and goes through parks, woods, creeks, and ponds. It is a beautiful run with a lot of elevation changes, so not for the weak of heart, but not impossible.
It may seem strange but my favorite running gear is my Headsweats running hat. I think it came in one of the run boxes. It is my go-to hat. It fits my big head well and the back has a little gizmo instead of Velcro. I also love the Aftershokz wireless open ear head sets. You don’t have things in your ears so you can hear traffic. The sound is terrific. Hard to hear if a big truck passes though.
I am learning Brazilian Portuguese and use my runs to listen to lessons. I get a few funny looks as I run and repeat Portuguese sentences. No one has answered me yet.
I don’t know that there is anything that unique about me. I am an ordinary person who works hard to get faster. I always think that if I can do it, anyone can do it. It takes that first step to want to do it. No one can make up your own mind. Make a reasonable plan, start small and work at it. Get a running plan. There are many plans out there, online and in Excel. Runner’s World has good plans that I have used.
I have a 3:31 marathon time, one minute and fourteen seconds over my Boston Marathon goal time. I am aiming for 3:15 this year (now next year).
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