Being the Best You in 2017

Greetings to all, and Happy New Year. Here we are again at the start of another year. Take a few minutes to reflect on 2016 and how it was for you. Whatever the outcome, there’s nothing you can do to change it, but you’re in a better position to reset for 2017 and take a serious look at what may lie ahead to be the best you on your fitness journey.

Let me offer the following for your consideration when it comes to physical fitness programs:

In prior updates, I’ve mentioned more about running and walking. Maybe you have no desire to do either one. I was once training a person, and after a month on the track and halfway through the workout, the person stopped and said she didn’t care for running. I failed to ask if she wanted to run, and it turned out walking was the better option, and in doing that, she found happiness.

Shame on me for not asking.

I read a book by Matthew Kelly, and he wrote, “A morning walk makes me happy. It clears my mind, fires up my metabolism, and gets the endorphins moving through my body. There is no comparison between a day with a morning walk and one without it.”

There are numerous activities you can choose which can help improve your overall fitness. You need to do something, as opposed to nothing, and your physician can support this statement. You need not compare yourself to another but only against yourself.

How often do you put others before yourself?

Take an inventory of the variety of fitness programs (yoga, walking, spinning, cycling, and weight training) and select the ones you like and will benefit from the most. Arrange your schedule as to which days you’ll engage. And remember, it’s important to have the consistency for it to be effective.

After 30 days, your routine will be settled.

We’re faced with needing the motivation to move forward. Do what you can do and control what you can control. For any program to be effective you need to be committed.

I can provide workouts and drills, but they won’t be effective unless you’re focused, and it’ll work better when you design your own program. Let this be the year when you make a difference to yourself.

You can be that better person when it comes to your fitness. 

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George Banker

George Banker

George Banker is the Operations Manager for the Army Ten-Miler (US Army / MDW), the second largest 10-mile road race in the United States. This year the race will accept 35,000 runners. His responsibilities include the operational planning, logistics, community outreach, design of the course, volunteer recruitment, and support to medical and police jurisdictions. He has been in this position since August 2003. Prior to joining the Army Ten-Miler, he worked 25 years at IBM serving in administration and management within the federal marketing environment in Bethesda, Maryland. He is retired from the U.S. Air Force (enlisted grade Technical Sergeant), where his experience included ground refueling supervisor and cryogenic fluids production supervisor. He received 14 military decorations including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (1969-1989). Since 1983, he has worked as a freelance photographer and journalist, senior writer for the Runner’s Gazette, and contributor to Running Journal newspaper. He is the District of Columbia Road Runners Club (DCRRC) Hall of Fame Inductee for 2006, the former president and meet director for the Mid-Atlantic Corporate Athletic Association Relays (1986-1993), Director for the Washington’s Birthday Marathon Relay (1989-1999), and he started the Relay. He has been a race consultant and steering committee member with the following events: Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run (1989), George Washington’s Parkway Classic 5K/10 Miler, Lawyer’s Have Heart 10K, Marine Corps Marathon (Historian—Ad Hoc Publicity Committee). He has been the State Record Keeper USA Track & Field from 1993 to present. Chair, Trends and Issues Committee, Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) 1993-2000. He is an avid runner, with 114 marathons completed and serves in an additional capacity as race announcer, media relations, and invited elite runner coordinator for several local area races. He’s completed seven JFK 50 Milers to date. The Marine Corps Marathon in October 2019 will be his 115th marathon and his 35th time running it. He is the author of “The Marine Corps Marathon: A Running Tradition” (1976-2006), with a September 2007 publish date. He has completed 30 MCMs to date. (http://www.runwithmeworld.com) December 2006 MetroSports Athlete of the Month Hall of Fame Inductee 2011 – Marine Corps Marathon Running PRs: Marathon 3:04:32 (’88) Houston-Tenneco, Half-Marathon 1:22:40 (’84) Philadelphia Distance Run, 10-Miles 1:02:10 (’87) Army Ten-Miler, 10K 37:42 (’84) Diabetes Derby, 5K 18:28 (’88) Stanford University, 1600 Meters 5:18 (’87) Gallaudet University. Graduated with an AA in Accounting from Prince George’s Community College with honors, Largo, MD (’76), and a BBA in Accounting from George Washington University, Washington, DC (’84). Educational community involvement: Volunteer speaker local schools for Career Day. (1993- Present). www.runwithmeworld.com.

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