Getting started

[Chett]

Be sure to click on the blog portion of the page and find out how to get started on your 5k5k challenge. Come back to the discussion board and tell us about your progress.

[JonP]

Evening all. Thought I'd bring this challenge down to Australia.

I've had shin splints while running for a few years now, and I've only just started working on fixing them up this year with a conscious effort to change my gait. Shoes appropriate for my arch and choosing the right running surface has helped, but changing my gait has given the most obvious improvement. That said, I still haven't been able to get to 5km without the shin splints setting in, but that's the goal.

As for the 5k in debts. That'll be the mortgage. I've chucked all my credit cards into a drawer for a year now and I keep them there as a just in case. I'm gonna skip the snowball approach on this as well as my smallest loan (an investment loan) is tax deductible. Sydney unfortunately has the lovely distinction of having approximately a 12:1 median home to median income ratio. My home to income is roughly about 8:1, and i managed to save up a sizable deposit. That said, I'm still spending approx 55% of my income in net interest repayments. With my additional repayments, council, water and utilities. I set aside approx 75% of income for them. I've got 9k in my emergency fund, and otherwise in an okay if somewhat 'disposal income' tight situation.

The plan for the coming months is to maintain my additional repayments. By doing so, i'll hit 5k in just over a year and a half. But where's the fun in that? :) Will be attempting to make further repayments as I can to bring the time period to just under a year. Given the conditions at work this year, I won't be expecting a bonus, but hey, if it comes. Great. 5k in shorter time.

But for now... *goes look for a 5k run in 4 months*

[Chett]

Sounds like you are in good shape debt wise. We are in the same boat without dental insurance at the time. I have an emergency fund that will cover a treatment if needed. I will be doing my 1st 5k in nearly a year tomorrow. More than anything just to get back in the swing of things. I try to set a goal for myself each time depending on the course and conditions. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Chett]

JonP said:

Evening all. Thought I'd bring this challenge down to Australia.

I've had shin splints while running for a few years now, and I've only just started working on fixing them up this year with a conscious effort to change my gait. Shoes appropriate for my arch and choosing the right running surface has helped, but changing my gait has given the most obvious improvement. That said, I still haven't been able to get to 5km without the shin splints setting in, but that's the goal.

As for the 5k in debts. That'll be the mortgage. I've chucked all my credit cards into a drawer for a year now and I keep them there as a just in case. I'm gonna skip the snowball approach on this as well as my smallest loan (an investment loan) is tax deductible. Sydney unfortunately has the lovely distinction of having approximately a 12:1 median home to median income ratio. My home to income is roughly about 8:1, and i managed to save up a sizable deposit. That said, I'm still spending approx 55% of my income in net interest repayments. With my additional repayments, council, water and utilities. I set aside approx 75% of income for them. I've got 9k in my emergency fund, and otherwise in an okay if somewhat 'disposal income' tight situation.

The plan for the coming months is to maintain my additional repayments. By doing so, i'll hit 5k in just over a year and a half. But where's the fun in that? :) Will be attempting to make further repayments as I can to bring the time period to just under a year. Given the conditions at work this year, I won't be expecting a bonus, but hey, if it comes. Great. 5k in shorter time.

But for now... *goes look for a 5k run in 4 months*

Jon,

I use to struggle with shin splints as well. I run on soft surfaces, such as grass and asphalt as much as possible. I also began supplementing calcium to help as well. I'm sorry to hear the cost of housing is so expensive in Australia. Fortunately housing in the area of Missouri I live in is relatively affordable. Keep trying to find ways to cut monthly expenses while paying down debt and you will soon see your progress. Keep it up.

[Diogo]

Hello, everyone!

I am a Brazilian grad student living in Japan. I am excited both to save money and run the 5k. I have one friend already reaching 10k, another one that runs marathons, I think it will be a good motivation -- although my exercises will be made by myself. The Autumn is just beginning and I feel the cool weather will be my biggest challenge.

As for the money, I managed to save approximately $ 3500 in four months earlier this year. It was insane, but I needed the money! Right now I think it would be ok to save some $ 200 without much effort, my goal will be to double that. The money will be spent traveling throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific as a graduation reward.

I would love to see some tips on Winter gear. Kobe isn't that cold, but I live up the mountain and it does snow occasionally. Head, neck, body... What should I cover? How about materials? Thanks a bunch!

Cheers,
Diogo

[Chett]

Diogo said:

Hello, everyone!

I am a Brazilian grad student living in Japan. I am excited both to save money and run the 5k. I have one friend already reaching 10k, another one that runs marathons, I think it will be a good motivation -- although my exercises will be made by myself. The Autumn is just beginning and I feel the cool weather will be my biggest challenge.

As for the money, I managed to save approximately $ 3500 in four months earlier this year. It was insane, but I needed the money! Right now I think it would be ok to save some $ 200 without much effort, my goal will be to double that. The money will be spent traveling throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific as a graduation reward.

I would love to see some tips on Winter gear. Kobe isn't that cold, but I live up the mountain and it does snow occasionally. Head, neck, body... What should I cover? How about materials? Thanks a bunch!

Cheers,
Diogo

Diogo,

Congratulations on finishing college! Enjoy the simplicity of life right now and remember how little it took to be happy and enjoy life. When I speak with people regarding income and happiness, most people cite college, or immediately after college as being some of the happiest times in their lives, yet they were earning less during that time than most any other time in their life. If you can continue to live like a broke college student while your income increases over the next few years, and find ways to save and invest the extra income you will be leap years ahead of your peers from college.

Regarding the colder weather, I am putting together some information for a blog entry that will go up in the next week or so that deals with that very subject. Behind staying motivated to reach goals, finding ways to exercise in cold weather was the next biggest obstacle mentioned in completing this challenge. Some quick tips would be wear loose fitting clothing, dress in layers, always wear some type of head covering and wear mittens instead of gloves to allow better circulation when running. Be sure and click on the RSS link on the main page so you can receive notices when a blog entry goes up. I have some old Marine buddies that are stationed in Japan I will get in touch with them to see what they are doing to combat the cooler weather. Take care.

[Dan]

Well I am up to week 9 on my 12 week training schedule. One of the things that is helping me greatly is that my wife is taking an interest in running as well. I am signed up for a 5k in august, but I think i am going to sign up for a sooner on on July 4th.

One of the difficulties I am having is my cardio. I might have to throw in some stair exercises or something. I don't want to increase my speed much because then I will be running away from my wife. Her legs are much shorter than mine.

Overall, this has been much easier than I thought it would be. I have neglected my health for a while and now I am starting to feel better.

Thanks Chett for the idea to incorporate exercise fitness with financial fitness. I have been reading about it on other blogs, but you made it click with a simple goal in mind. I'll let you know how I do in a couple of weeks.

Dan

[Chett]

Dan,

Congratulations on your success. I'm glad you've been able to stick with your training. Now that it is summer, if you have access to a pool, swimming laps is a great cardio workout. Who knows you may even get motivated to go after a triathlon!

[Dan]

The problem with swimming is that I would ave to learn how to. lol

Chett said:

Dan,

Congratulations on your success. I'm glad you've been able to stick with your training. Now that it is summer, if you have access to a pool, swimming laps is a great cardio workout. Who knows you may even get motivated to go after a triathlon!