As of today, this minute, this second you have absolutely no excuses for not wanting to exercise, and if you do have any qualms about getting into shape, the story of 95-year-old Ida Keeling will certainly change your position. I (Candace) will be the first to admit that exercise has never been top priority in my life. With a gym membership that rarely gets used and living around the corner from a park I’ve seen in person maybe twice, I know I need to get my act together. We came across a life changing story that is sure to jump start the health kick of any stagnant couch potato.

At almost as full century old, Ida set a record running 60 meters in 29.6 seconds. A widow at 42 years old, Ida began her running career at 60 years old. Need we say more? Watch Ida go in the video below.

If you were to survey all the women in the world about their workout routine most would admit they skip exercise to avoid ruining a good hair style. Of course we all want to slim down and to be able to boast about the thrill and adrenaline that comes from a good run, but fear of the the frizz keeps us away. How many of you sacrifice going to the gym to keep up a hair style? The key to getting over your frustration with sweat is to change your mindset. Find time in your schedule to exercise, maybe the Monday morning after a long weekend of running around, when hair is not a top priority. Women’s Health suggest you get active with a few off the face do’s that would look great post warm up. Click here for more effortless styles.

As we mentioned earlier today…our office went outside of our comfort zone yesterday to run in the 3.5 mile, slightly-more-than-5k JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, along with 15,000 of our closest friends in New York City’s Central Park. A portion of proceeds from the race went to rebuild areas in the park that were damaged by high winds last winter.

The Spa Week team before the race!

It was a gorgeous evening – not too hot, which you’d better believe we were thankful for – and we were pumped up as we made our way around the top of the park on the race route.

It's important to stretch.

The male winner of the Challenge finished in just 17 minutes, and the female winner was just a few paces behind him, finishing in 20. We’re not ashamed to say most of our office took a little bit longer…but the important thing is we all finished!

Tired & happy!

Today is National Run at Work Day, which should give you an extra skip in your step when debating a Friday workout. Grab a coworker and go for a quick jog during lunch or after work. Especially after we’ve read studies that working out with a friend or in a group increases your performance, this should really get you running. Happy running ladies! You’ll thank yourself later as your’re sipping your Friday afternoon cocktail.

Photo by Ariel da Silva Parreira

Ready to lace up your sneakers and add jogging to your fitness repertoire? With any new activity there’s a lot to learn and it’s always smart to consult a physician first, but here are a few tips I think you’ll find helpful if running is new for you.

1. Start Easy — While almost everyone already knows ‘how’ to run, that doesn’t mean we’re ready to sprint out of the gates. Don’t put pressure on yourself to keep up with fellow joggers, or push yourself farther than you can go. Listen to your body and start slow.
2. Proper Attire — Wearing the wrong clothes can be a huge disadvantage, and even cause injury. Yourtotalhealth.com says, “You absolutely, positively must have a good pair of running shoes and a decent sports bra. We also recommend wearing a special two-layer running socks that help prevent blisters by wicking away moisture.”
3. Stretching and Warmup – This is a very common question among all runners. RunnerGirl.com says, “Jog lightly for 5-10 minutes to warm up your muscles before you stretch. Stretching cold muscles can lead to injury, so warming up first is important. Stretching after you run is more beneficial for your increased flexibility since your blood is flowing and muscles are warm.”
4. Stay Hydrated — For summer running, RunnersRescue.com suggests “you drink adequate fluid 30-45 minutes before running and then a cupful every 10-15 minutes.”

For more tips and suggestions visit RunnersWorld.com