MAKING THOSE HEALTH AND FITNESS RESOLUTIONS STICK SMALLCHANGE, BIGDIFFERENCE

WITH THE long, dark, cold evenings continuing, the exuberance with which many of us started the year may be beginning to wane.

Resolutions to get fit or shed a bit of weight may have already fallen by the wayside or, at the very least, are running out of steam.

However, it’s not too late to turn things around. Giving yourself realistic goals, starting small and building up stamina and joining a group to avoid pounding the pavements alone are all little things that can help.

Someone who knows this all to well is Mick Keating.

A married father of four from Bray, but living in Wicklow town, Mick had taken up running but soon found himself stuck in a rut.

Joining a local running group helped to keep him motivated and then he signed up as one of three leaders for last year’s Wicklow Gaol Break, taking on the 10k event – his first ever 10k.

In his fortnightly leader’s diary published in this newspaper last year, Mick described the sense of achievement he felt as his distances crept up but also how he coped with setbacks and injury and, in the end, the joy at crossing the finish line.

While that was an achievement he could be proud of, perhaps Mick’s real achievement is that he’s still running and looking forward to yet more events this year, including his second Wicklow Gaol Break in March.

Mick first took up running three years ago in order to get fit and loose some weight.

‘I started running my own nine-week “Couch to 5km” programme. I was doing fine but then I just seemed to get stuck. I was going out running at 10 p.m. so no one would see my big heavy arse. Then I started coming up with every valid reason I could think of not to go out,’ he said.

Mick then came across the Wicklow Runners group on Facebook and the first time he went out running with them, he completed his first 5k.

‘I got great encouragement and I have to say the Wicklow Runners are brilliant. They are a great group and I would encourage anyone to join up with them if they are looking for their first running experience.’

Mick decided to further challenge himself by taking part in last year’s Wicklow Gaol Break and, as one of three leaders, he stuck rigidly to a training programme provided by life coach and race organiser Eoin Ryan.

‘ The plan was to go out five days a week and really that’s what got me ready for the Gaol Break,’ said Mick.

‘ Trying to get out five times a week when you have four kids isn’t easy. Let’s just say I had a very understanding wife!

‘I ended up noticing the benefits of the training programme almost straight away. I ended up completing the Gaol Break in one hour and two minutes, which I was very pleased with, especially as it was my first 10k.’

Refusing to rest on his laurels, Mick set his sights on the Quest Adventure series and took part in the race in Glendalough in April. The event involved a 6k cycle, a 6k trail run, a 20k cycle, a 6k trail run.

Although admitting it was the ‘ toughest thing I have ever done in my life’, Mick was happy to say he got through it.

‘I actually ended up pulling my groin which really annoyed me. I was nearly finished the second last run when I felt it go.

‘I probably should have quit but I continued on. A mixture of pure stubbornness and pumping adrenaline helped me finish it. I just thought to myself “I’m going to finish this even if it kills me”.’

Now all of Mick’s training is geared towards this year’s Gaol Break and Quest Adventure, though ruptured ligaments in his ankle did curtail some of the activities he had planned.

‘ The injury slowed things down a bit but I’m back training now. I generally go out two to three times a week, basically whatever I can fit into my work schedule and family life.

‘I’ve been doing some kickboxing in Bray as well. I really enjoy all the training and it helps to set yourself a goal.’