In an interview with the Army Wife Network I was asked, why running? What is it that you get from running that keeps you going?

What keeps me going is the personal satisfaction of setting a goal and achieving it. There is nothing like lacing up a pair of shoes and stepping out the door.

It’s the mental and physical challenge.

It is you against yourself.

It’s not about running fast or slow.

The happiest moment is stepping along with a light snowfall and a gentle wind as your mind is blank and you hear the birds in the trees. What a rush!

Our country experienced an act of terrorism last April at the Boston Marathon, and the sport has changed. The way in which events will be conducted will have a different focus. The runners will be asked to be conscious of their surrounding, but no events will be cancelled. You’ll find events moving toward clear plastic bags for garment check and maybe prohibit backpacks. It is all about safety and security of the participants and the spectators. All should feel safe when they attend an event.

Last month I was able to attend the 4th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition from July 16-18, 2013. The conference was hosted by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi. The conference focused solely on the sports safety and security industry, emphasizing the need to share global knowledge and perspectives. The gathering of top professionals in the field will provide an environment dedicated to security/safety technologies, products, services, and education for safeguarding the assets and spectators we are charged to protect.

One of the keynote speakers was the Superintendent (William Evans) of the Boston Police Department, who completed the race in 3:34 and transitioned from runner to the Incident Commander. Evans was able to share some lessons learned as the sport moves forward.

In 13 weeks, it will be the 29th Army Ten-Miler on Oct. 20, 2013 (Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon). In a short period of time, you can be in shape to finish it. In order to do that, you’ll need to:

• Get cleared by your physician
• Visit your the local running store to get fit for a pair of running shoes
• Begin your training plan

Here is a simple plan. In August, select the days of the week in which you will run. You can do 2 miles on those days. On the second and fourth Saturday, take your long run up to 4 miles. If needed, you blend in a 1- or 2-minute walk break.

In September, you continue with the weekly schedule, and on the 1st and 2nd Saturday, take the long run up to 6 miles. On the 3rd and 4th Saturday, the long run goes up to 8 miles. You will be building up the confidence and the endurance during this time.

In October, on the 1st weekend, take the long run up to 10 miles. Your objective is to stay relaxed to make the distance. The remainder of the month will be to maintain that level of endurance.

RUN HAPPY!