Column: Sprint for Health a good start

I was a pretty lucky kid. The youngest of three brothers, I have no problem admitting I was spoiled. While my lifestyle wasn’t totally sedentary, I spent a lot of time kicking it with Super Mario and John Madden’s digitized version of American football.

My parents weren’t oil barons, but we kids had it pretty good. Want a soda pop? Hit the fridge. Need a snack? Cupboard’s full of ’em. Got a hankering for McDonald’s? If you bug mom just enough, she’ll probably take you.

I was lucky, because I had the metabolism of a jackrabbit. Not all kids are so lucky, and now I can relate. My metabolism belongs on a milk carton.

It skipped town about 6 years ago, when I graduated from college. I’d already gained about 30 pounds since I snared my high-school diploma. But that was healthy. Gangly gave way to filled out. Good thing.

A demanding full-time job and living alone in a strange town – no offense to Monroe, Wis., it was just a culture shock after living in Milwaukee for 4 years – saw me get a bit soft in the middle.

I didn’t sweat when I answered the phone, but simple everyday tasks (I’m looking at you, stairs) were leaving me inexplicably winded.

So I started running and, save for dealing with some slumps and injuries, I haven’t stopped. During college, I’d dabbled in running despite no one chasing me, but it became a regular activity in good ol’ Monroe.

Six years later, I ran my first marathon. That was never the ultimate goal. It was all about staying healthy. And it started small. Like really small.

Think CGH Sprint for Health small.

Anyone who’s had even the most fleeting thought of running, for whatever reason, ought to be at Sterling High School at 8 a.m. Saturday to run a mile with me.

But this isn’t an exclusive runner’s party, either. Walkers are welcome. Heck, maybe you’re a great crab-walker. However you want to cover a mile, come on out and put your feet to use.

Do it for yourself. Do it to set an example.

Hopefully, talking about my metabolism’s dramatic slowdown got a laugh out of you. But obesity is stone-cold serious.

Perhaps public enemy No. 1 in the medical community’s eyes, fast food meals chock full of salt and sugar have caused an alarming spike in childhood obesity.

Those outrageous health-care costs that drive political banter? We can offset them by doing something every day.

Get out of the house and into a groove, and you’ll love yourself for it. You’ll have more energy and feel better about yourself. You’ll feel sexier. Lord knows I do.

The wife and I recently found out that starting and maintaining a garden burns a boatload of calories. And it helps with the other, equally important aspect of fitness – a healthy diet.

Unfortunately, I’d wait on starting a garden until next spring, though. I hear it’s been pretty hot out.

Two ways to sign up

• Register online at cghmc.com/sprint

• Show up at Sterling High School at 8 a.m. Saturday morning