The (Zig Ziglar -) “I Love Running” Cardiac Development Program

The (Zig Ziglar -) “I Love Running” Cardiac Development Program

Because I have an acknowledged goal of beginning a martial art (jujistu or something better) I must first develop the two parts of my system that I would like to have in place to set my foundation for martial arts success. Those are Cardiovascular training (so I don’t keep getting tired fast) and Strength training (so I can pick the big guy up). This first step toward the achievement of successful martial arts training is the creation of the (ZZ-) “ILR” CDR, or just ILR.

Here is how the name breaks down:

Zig Ziglar; because
1) I have listened to most of his CDs and am constantly inspired by them if not consciously, sub-consciously.
2) He started a running program for himself and I really like the way he tells about it. Especially when he realized that he actually liked running. That’s why…

“I Love Running;”
1) It should really be “Until I Love Running” because after that I won’t need a program.
2) Running is difficult for me and I have no fondness for it. That is why I must stay positive– to maintain my momentum. Therefore as of today, “I Love Running.” It’s in the name, that means it’s true.

Cardiac Development Program; because
1) Obviously that’s what I’m doing. This is the serious engineer’s title for the program; I must please both the amusing right-brained side of me (hence the above names) and the left-brain with the well-defined serious name.

Goals of the ILR program:
1) To foster a love of running. Currently the love-level is at 1. Everyday that I run, it increases by 1.
2) To figure out how high the love-level has to be till ILR.
3) To be able to run to the park on Hazeltine, one time around the small track, and back to the house at a reasonable speed, without stopping to take a break, all in under 60 minutes. An ambitious goal that will take a long time to achieve, but these are the only types of goals that are worth having, (why dream small?).

Why?
1) Being able to do this will demonstrate optimum cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular health is important for a high-performance life, (self-sufficiency in the tradition of the break-off point).
2) It is a line on the PERFECT BODY PYRAMID*.
3) It’ll be easier to develop other health habits if I start this one. I have procrastinated long enough. Now is the time. The ERR program has given me the opportunity, success builds on success.
4) Why not? There is NO GOOD REASON why not.
5) 2007 is the Year of the Body.
6) To bring sexy…
7) In case a monster chases me, I will be able to run to Hazeltine park and back. The monster will get tired at Fulton.
8) Self-Discipline.
9) To beat the nausea I get from Cardiovascular exercise.

How? (this is the important part)
Ideally everyday, (at this point that means Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday…Unless I have the opportunity on other days), I will run to pre-established points and back no matter what the consequence (nausea (I NEED to throw-up at least once so this thing is legit), exhaustion, being late to something, sweat, blood, tears, criticism, slow people etc.). The pre-established point will change as soon as I feel comfortable running to the current point and back. This will continue no matter how long it takes to reach my ultimate goal. Though martial arts training can start as soon as I can comfortably run to Fulton Ave. and back.

* The Perfect Body Pyramid is a guide towards the optimization of a physical body. It is a triangle on one side it says Cardiovascular Health, on the other it says Strength on top it says Goal Uses (Martial Arts; or anything that requires endurance and strength such as sports mastery etc.) in the middle there are various lines to the top. The very middle on says Diet/Food. The one on the right says Sleep. The one on the left is Unknown, I look at it as the Mind Factor (mind and body must be connected); it includes positive thinking, planning etc.; it is the catch-all to whatever we missed so far, this would be the place to add things.

-OLEG KAGAN (9:59 AM 4/8/2007)