Couch Your Doubt: Get Up & Get Out Part 1

CCFA Team Challenge, Courtesy of CCFATime and time again we hear about the benefits of exercise. General consensus: it’s good for pretty much everyone, even people with chronic illnesses. If you’ve been sick, exercise is a great way to help your body be whole again. At the very least, it might get you outside more, which is something we could all use. For anyone looking for some inspiration, here are a couple of programs that might help you get started.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation offers a half marathon program called Team Challenge. With the help of professional coaches, you’ll train to run a half marathon along with a group of others in your area. It’s truly a team effort. Participants also raise funds for the CCFA mission as part of the program, and travel to run a real race together in Napa Valley, Las Vegas, or another exciting destination. The majority of participants and leaders are tuned in to the special issues faced by an IBD patient in this program. If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’d like to tackle, and a mission you’d like to help out with, please go for it!

While Team Challenge is an immensely rewarding experience, a half marathon might not be for everyone. It can be more than a little daunting to face a goal that large. Sure, that’s partly the point—to push outside the comfort zone, but what if your zone is a bit smaller than that program is meant for? First of all, you might still be able to tackle Team Challenge. Many who do succeed originally started out doubting they could do it, so if you’re close or even on the fence about it, I’d say go for it!

Or, if 13 miles is truly more than you’d like to attempt, worry not… how about 5 kilometers instead? Coming up in Part 2, I’ll talk about another option for a fun jogging program. I discovered it sort of by accident, and it’s unexpectedly satisfying. It could be a warm-up for Team Challenge, or it would be great on its own too. Stay tuned…