If the first set of comments on “Why Do I Run” didn’t inspire you, then maybe you will find some inspiration in the following. The individuals below are from the novice to the advanced. The common thread that ties them together is that they all were inspired to try something to see if they liked it. Once upon a time, there was a person I was training, and we met a couple of times a week after work. We would hit the track and walk and run only for a couple of miles. After about a month, Candy just came out of the blue and said, “I don’t like running.” Well, that caught me by surprise, but I listened. She just said, “I like walking.” So, we did accomplish one thing—we found out she preferred to walk. Can you say the same?

Greetings to everyone! Depending on what part of the country you’re from, you could be in the middle of a heatwave. If that’s the case, then just slow down and take it easy.

Speaking of taking it easy…

It’s been two years this month since my mitral heart valve repair, and I am not fully adjusted. I sometimes find myself locked in the past. I’m referring to what I used to do when I should really be focused on what I can do.

This is the time of the year where two conditions can work against you: dehydration and hyponatremia. The best defense is to ensure that you hydrate during the day if you are training in the late afternoon or evening. During your training you should have some type of sports drink and not just plain water. It does not take long for dehydration to set in. One way to tell is if you feel thirsty then it is too late. There may be a tendency to over drink to remedy the dehydration and it can cause the other condition hyponatremia. These two conditions affect your performance and they are preventable.