A History of Health: Albert’s Tips and Tales

By Albert Volkman, Developer at Rise

It Began as a Desire for a Long and Healthy Life Together

My focus on health really started shortly after I got married about four years ago. Over the years, I played sports such as basketball and did gymnastics to stay healthy but I definitely started to take it more seriously after marriage.

While the immediate benefits are easy to feel, it was a long-term choice for us. We’ve seen our parents and other people aging with a dramatic deterioration in their health. We want to be old and healthy together so we’re doing what we feel is right to achieve that goal.

My Feet are Chariots of Fire

It was about three years ago that I started running. I wanted a pastime and a way to manage my stress so I started running and over time I just kept running further and further.

At this point I’m running 5ks although with more time and endurance building I’d like to do a 10k or marathon. It’s nice on weekends and evenings or after work for 30 minutes or so. I decided to try barefoot running a couple of years back, too, and now I typically run barefoot.

In addition to running, which I do for endurance, Kendall and I also have a personal trainer that we see once a week to work on building muscle, which actually burns fat faster than cardio. We’ve been doing this for the last four years or so and used to go twice a week to lift weights. I’d like to pick that up again when we can.

Some General 5k Running Tips…

Some of my co-workers participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure last month who are not necessarily runners and here’s the advice I had for them and would give to anyone considering running a 5k:

• Make sure you drink lots of water, don’t underestimate how much your body needs to be hydrated when you’re running long distances, especially if you’re not used to it.

• Start running ahead of time, don’t wait until race day to find out how far is too far for you.
• Take it easy on the day of your run; don’t push yourself too hard if you’re not a regular runner. I’ve heard some scary stories or runners who push themselves into serious health issues because they weren’t listening to their bodies or keeping up with their overall health prior to uncommonly intense exertion.

…and More Specific Tips for Barefoot Running

Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re looking into trying out barefoot running yourself:

• You can run anywhere, especially with the thin protective shoes on the market with a layer that protects your sole from puncture.
• You have to take it slow at first, less than a mile, because barefoot running uses totally different muscles than normal running shoes and you don’t want to overdo it. It hurts. I know.
• When running in normal shoes your heel strikes the ground first. When barefoot running, you land in the front or middle of your foot which not only works different muscles but makes a difference in where your body absorbs the shock of your stride. By landing on the front or middle of your foot, it’s your foot itself that absorbs the energy, whereas with the heel hitting first, the shock is absorbed by your ankle and shins which over time can cause injury for runners.

Fueling the Fire Organically

My wife, Kendall, is a great cook and has a strong distaste for overly processed foods. We made the decision to invest in our health by buying organic. It’s definitely more expensive but we made it a priority and worked it into our budget. I felt great when we adopted organic eating and we didn’t get sick as often. Feeling better and having more energy is worth the cost and from our experience, it seems to be true what they say about if you don’t pay for it now, you’ll pay for it later in medical bills.

I’ve tried a few specific dietary strategies, too, such as South Beach and other low-carb diets. It turned out that my wife had trouble digesting gluten so I went gluten free with her and lost about 35 pounds in six months just by nixing the gluten. I feel lighter and healthier in general since that dietary tweak and it’s probably worth looking into to see if gluten intake might be a factor if you’re struggling with your health.

It’s Never Too Late to Do Better

It’s never too late to improve your health. At one point I actually taught gymnastics and though I had the expected age range of children and teenagers, I also had students in their 40s. Straight up working out isn’t for everybody but there’s plenty to do that’s fun that’s also good for you. Though it was challenging at times to spot the 40-somethings since I was only about 19 or 20 at the time, it just shows you that there’s always something you can do to be healthier and someone there to encourage and help you so don’t wait. Living better counts right now but adds up later, too.

About the Author

Albert Volkman: Developer, System Administrator, and Barefoot Runner at Rise.

Albert has a proven record of making technology work for his clients. As our favorite barefoot runner, Albert is our go-to resource for running, exercise, and diet information to help us all lead a healthier life.