Why an untamed running post? I run with a variety of people in terms of abilities, how often they race, their preferred distances, etc. My hope is that for runners of any level, you’ll either realize you’re at a place where you’re enjoying the running or you’ll start working towards getting to that place. I’m using my own experience to illustrate how I’ve gotten here.
In my “About” section I allude to why I define myself as an untamed runner. It’s important to distinguish between untamed and undisciplined. When it comes to running, I take it very seriously and am, for the most part, disciplined. My training plans are based on past experience and research, I listen to my body and adjust my running accordingly, and I attempt to keep my goals tough but attainable, changing them if they don’t satisfy those parameters.
The untamed part comes in where I enjoy running to the point where it’s next to impossible to hold me back from a run, even if the conditions are terrible or the time of day (or night) is absurd. Also, I’m willing to go out on a limb with new routes, weather, running gear, etc. to see what works or is at least enjoyable.
When you started running, you had ideas and goals in mind for what you want to accomplish whether it was related to competition, health, or something else. Ideally this means you’ll enjoy putting on the shoes and heading out the door for a run but that may turn out not to be the case. Does this mean you need to stop? No. It may just indicate you need to reevaluate what you want to do with running.
During college, I opted to not run on the cross-country or track teams but I did run three marathons. Back then, I didn’t spend time ruminating on this decision but I realize now that while I absolutely loved cross-country in high school (that’s where my love for running was ignited and sustained) and did run track, I was also looking forward to different types of running and doing so in a way that reflected my passion and abilities. Running has always been something that’s in my blood. I wouldn’t say I need to do it in an obsessive way. I balance out my running life, but there is an enjoyment that transcends any minor inconvenience created by it. Going out on my own during college allowed me to realize and grow into this love of the run.
And that’s what it boils down to for me. While I will adhere to training plans and advice, while I will listen to my body, I run because it’s fun and I want to keep logging miles. I’ll go on a random long-distance run later at night or in a driving snowstorm because it’s fun. There’s no rationale to it and that is where I am untamed.
My point of all this is that it’s important to recognize what fulfills you most as a runner. There will be, especially if you’re preparing for a race, some guidelines/plans you need to follow. It’s not all about what you want to do all the time. You’ll need to increase mileage at certain incremental rate, you’ll need to run certain distances to prepare for longer races, you’ll need to do speedwork. There will be tough workouts and pain. There will be days where you may not want to go out and do the prescribed workout. There will also be days where you need to back off, even if you feel like pushing it. But you’ll also want to figure out the most enjoyable way to do this. Do you want to run with a group? Do you want a coach? Do you really want to run a marathon, or is perhaps a 10K your best distance? Do you want to do an ultramarathon? Do you want to run trails or do you prefer local sidewalks?
Set aside your ego for a few minutes or longer and figure this out. If you jump into a running program because it sounds cool or because it’s what you think you should be doing, make sure it’s what you want to be doing. Be smart and disciplined, but also have fun and be untamed.
Running food review of the week: (note–gels, bars, chews, and other items affect everyone differently. Try them on a short run before using them for a key training run or race): Hüma Blueberries Energy Gel: Just like eating the filling of a blueberry pie. I ate this right before a 5:30 a.m. run and it was gentle on the stomach and, having been on a quick 5-mile run in 90+ temps the day before, it definitely gave me a good boost.