How Sergey Stays Fit

Name: Sergey Shmyrev

Age: 54

Occupation: Computer Engineer / Programmer

Location: Clapiers - Beautiful small medieval town in the South of France

What is your fitness story?

I was born and raised in the northeast Siberia in the frozen land of Yakutia ( Sakha Republic). It’s famous for its long (almost 8 months) and severe winter. I had to ski to get to school every morning. It’s not difficult to guess that cross-country skiing is my favorite sport.

After graduation, I moved to Novosibirsk, Russia’s leading city for scientific studies. During my studies at the university I discovered my passion for mountaineering. Every autumn and spring, my friends and I scaled the mountains of Altay, Kirghizia, and Tajikistan. When I had free time from studies, I spent it playing sports. Judo was my favorite after mountaineering.

I spent many years on my post-grad geological expeditions/work at Lake Baikal, which provided me with opportunities for long, heavily-loaded hikes. What happened after is another story, but I assure you I remained active ever since…

When I moved to France, my first three years’ evenings were spent roller skating. When my work was over, I would grab a detailed map of Paris and skate the streets searching for places described in the novels by Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, and Jules Verne. Those years were the most wonderful and unforgettable of my life.

I now live, work, and run in southern France. I discovered I had a passion for running quite unexpectedly one day due to a broken bike! One day after my usual lunch cycle, I noticed I had lost a small piece of the rear wheel when I got home. With 30 minutes left before work, I decided to run my cycling route to search for the missing piece. It was December 13, 2012 – the day my running story began.

I started running short distances daily, 3-4km. Gradually I worked my way up to 10km, then to 20km. Today, I’m able to run 30km, 40km, or 50km effortlessly and enjoy doing so. Incidentally, I never found that lost piece…

What is your typical fitness routine?

I'll typically begin my day with a morning run beginning just before dawn. My favorite distance is 16km, which is not too time-consuming, yet perfect for staying fit. The distance depends on morning free time and weather conditions.

When work allows for it, I'll also take an afternoon walk during my lunch break.

Finally, I'll spend 2-3 hours each evening walking at a more leisurely pace with my lovely dog, Frimouss.

What motivates you to stay fit?

My primary motivation is the love of running at sunrise. I take pleasure in a morning of solitude embraced by nature's beauty.

Since I fall asleep nightly anticipating the next day's run, I never set an alarm. My body wakes me naturally and doesn't protest my morning runs. It’s difficult to explain, but you could say my mind and body are in tune with one another.

How do you fit working out in your life?

Simple answer: it’s my daily routine makes time for the activities so that it fits seamlessly into my life.

What are your health/fitness & plans for the future?

I plan to keep my usual routine as long as possible. I am looking forward to participating in international marathons and competitions. I’d love to complete a triathlon but unfortunately there’s nowhere I can practice swimming…

How long have you been using Argus?

I searched for a pedometer app that tracks my runs. Following a colleague’s recommendation, I downloaded Argus and have been using it for 2 years now.

What are the top 3 things you track using Argus?

• I record all of my runs and walks as I do them. This helps me monitor my progress over time.
• I also take pictures, noting their location.
• I share the data with my Argus friends.

What advice do you have for new users of Argus?

Argus is a fitness app with a social element so it’s up to you how to use it. I’d recommend setting a realistic goal and working towards it. Share your progress with your friends and the Argus community to help keep you accountable. Check insights regularly and strive to do better week-by-week.

Remember, motivation is the key to your success! If you learn to motivate yourself every day, you'll experience success in any endeavor, and in every way! Participation in the challenges is a great way to motivate oneself.

Try to publish only the best in the Argus newsfeed: scenic photos, pictures of yourself, and delicious food (prior to eating, of course).

Be active, encourage your friends, and stay fit! #irunman

The Argus community is full of wonderful and inspiring people embarking on their own unique fitness journey. If you, or someone you know, have a great story to share, we would love to hear from you. Contact us by emailing jennifer.ta@azumio.com.