Several recent conversations have prompted me to shift topics for this week.<\/p>\n
When people find out I\u2019m a runner, I get all kinds of reactions. Unless the other person is a runner, the core of most reactions would suggest that they view running as a chore, something to be done in order to accomplish a fitness goal. For me, it is not. I don\u2019t define myself as a compulsory or addictive runner but I am very motivated to put on the shoes and hit the road or trail. This motivation stems from enjoyment.<\/p>\n
Since passion for running is not something that everyone shares, I\u2019ll outline several experiences which help illuminate the mindset of someone who simply loves running. What follows is not intended to discourage anyone from running and I hope it does the opposite. Maybe it will help unlock a passion for running, or maybe it will help those who does view running as a big pain to acknowledge that it\u2019s a burden and keep going.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve set many running goals along the way and attained some of them. These include time goals for distances, completing different events, placing at different events, achieving certain distances, running in different places, etc. When I was sixteen, I had been running for a couple of years and had gone on at least one distance run of 15 miles. The next logical step in my mind was 18 miles. I couldn\u2019t tell you why it wasn\u2019t 16 or 19, but 18 it was and I picked a Saturday to go for it.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, a nasty storm with torrential rain arrived in my small town in Virginia that Saturday morning. However, this was the day I had chosen and I was going for it. This was not stubbornness or some macho move. There really wasn\u2019t a decision process at all in terms of going or not going as I wanted to get out there and try it because I enjoyed running. In a concession to the weather, I picked a 3-mile loop to do six times that would start and finish at my house. If things got really ugly (lightning, limbs falling out of trees, etc.) I could get back to shelter quickly.<\/p>\n
The absurd amount of water coming down created small rivers along the curbs so that every time I crossed a street, and there were many street crossings, my feet got soaked. It was one of the most difficult runs I had experienced and somewhere between miles 12 and 15, I sensed trouble. Not only was I tired, but my clothes had been stuck to my skin since the first quarter mile, my shoes were heavy, and the conditions were not getting any better. By the time I got to mile 15, I adjusted plans and decided to finish off with three one-mile loops that would bring me back to my house. During the first loop, I knew I was done and I stopped at mile 16. Disappointing, but clearly the right decision.<\/p>\n
So how does this illuminate an enjoyment of the run? Two ways. The obvious one is that in spite of adverse conditions, I went out anyway. Two, I learned early on when it\u2019s smart to back off. I loathe cutting off a workout early, but you have to know when enough is enough. Come back and tackle it again the next day. Don\u2019t lose running days in the near future due to injury or illness by pushing too hard today.<\/p>\n
I went for 18 miles again a couple of weeks later. This time, I chose to combine a 10-mile loop and an 8-mile loop. Though it was frigid outside, it was sunny and calm and on this attempt, I had success. Even better, I was so wiped out by the time I got back to my house that I knew my decision to bail at mile 16 during the storm was a wise one. (Part of my being exhausted was that back then, I didn\u2019t carry or drink any fluids or eat anything on long runs, including the 18-miler. When you\u2019re a teenager, this may work but you still feel the consequences.)<\/p>\n
For people who don\u2019t like running, it\u2019s possible they\u2019ll never like it though it\u2019s also possible they\u2019ll grow into it. Fortunately, I never had to grow into it and going on runs like the ones above were not a chore, they were an opportunity to push myself doing something I enjoy.<\/p>\n
I mentioned a Chicago preview last week and this one<\/a> sums it up very well. It also points out that the Americans having the most success at the marathon distance are women runners. The most successful of these, Shalane Flanagan, won’t race until New York next month and that could be her last marathon. But, she and the others have had some impressive accomplishments.<\/p>\n And for safety on the run, that is still coming. Also, I\u2019m in the middle of 7-10 days off and so far, I\u2019ve stuck to it, which is difficult. I\u2019ve read that dedicated down-time is helpful and as much as I hate to admit it, I think that research is correct. Still, I\u2019m itching to get back out there.<\/p>\n Running food review of the week:\u00a0<\/span>(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):\u00a0<\/span>Gu Blackberry<\/a>. Tasted like blackberry paste. Nothing particularly remarkable about this one and if it’s ever being handed out for a race, I’ll be fine using it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Several recent conversations have prompted me to shift topics for this week. When people find out I\u2019m a runner, I get all kinds of reactions. Unless the other person is a runner, the core of most reactions would suggest that they view running as a chore, something to be done in order to accomplish a … <\/p>\n