I am SO out of shape...

[Jaggz]

Let me preface this by saying, when I was in the military (not too long along, '93-'97) we ran everyday - and I was quick, 10K - no problem! But I swore when I got out of the Army - no more running for me! My knees ached, my ankles hurt...just all-in-all, it took it's toll on my body.

Fast forward a few years, I'm now a fireman, approaching my 33 birthday - and I read an article about firefighter deaths, and how heart-attack is the number one killer. So I say to myself - you know it's about time to get back in shape. So I got me some new running shoes...an iPod Nano...Nike+ Voice Thingy....and hit the trail.

OMG! I'm dying - so out of shape - hurting all over! I get winded just running a mile! Man - have I got a L O N G way to go!

[Wes]

Yeah, heart attacks amongst firefighters is a pretty common thing. However, my question to you is what else you're doing to take care of yourself?

My dad retired as a captain after 27 years in the fire service - a cardiac arrest took him out (he's still with us today, though). Throughout his 27 year stint he was a chain smoker and his diet was horrible. This also describes most of the firefighters that I've known since I was a kid.

To contrast, my brother is a battalion chief and has been at it for 29 years. He's never smoked and has always had a healthy diet. He's 49 years old and should have no problem making it until retirement age and beyond.

The job of a firefighter is hard enough without adding all of the other stuff to it. Sounds like you're off to a good start, though. Keep it up!

[LEATHERNECK]

Yep...I have a brother firefighter in Grand Prairie, 55yrs old, and says alot of them are pretty young-some in their 40's- and drop like flies from the heart strain. He's a firm believer in working out but his age is slowing down the recovery period and he's more into weights- he's like a bull. Never smoked though and keeps phsyical around the farm on his off time. Keep running and do short intense heavy weight workout. Your still young. Good luck.

[Jaggz]

You guys are both absolutely correct...I have reached that point where I am ready to do something about it. My wife and I changed our diets (more like our lifestyles) at the new year and now I am really gonna push the cardio to get back in shape (healthy). I think I am going to continue to post the Nike+ screen-caps on my blog to help keep me accountable too! Thanks for the support!

[Anthony Martinez]

My time in the .mil has destroyed my knees too, but I love running too much to ever give it up. I'm that SGT the whole formation hates because when top says it's time to do a 4-miler, I want to push it to 8 just because we've got time! We'll see how I do when I redeploy though, I refuse to run in Iraq unless I have to, not much a fan of breathing in all the crud in the dust/air here.

All the running stuff you did in the Army still applies today - work at it and you'll get back where you belong. Remember, running is 90% breathing, 8% mental, and 2% physical. Feed your muscles enough O2 and you can run all day if you tell yourself you can.

[darktiger]

Like you all the military killed my knees too. After I left I stopped to work on other things like my undergrad and my masters. Now that I am done, I have been thinking about getting into running short distances. Nothing like my 3-7 miles every day when I was in the Marine Corps...

[toverman]

Running is a great way to see a fast improvement if you can run through any early pain you have. Make sure your shoes fit well and that will help. And I like the fancy, cushiony run-specific socks.

An alternative, seeing as you're in Keller, is to hop on a bike. There are at least 13 miles of somewhat connected hike-bike trails in Keller, and you'll be able to go further and help build up your knees on alternating workouts from running. It's something you and your wife might enjoy doing together.