Things I think about while running. (May 13′ Edition)
Posted: June 7, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, Banana, dedication, exercise, marathon, motivation, road racing, running, sports, weather 3 Comments »
bananas (Photo credit: Fernando Stankuns)
I often have deep and random thoughts when I run. Here are a few that I had while running in May:
1. It’s humid.
2. What is that smell?
3. Is that a water treatment plant?
4. Wow. I’m thirsty.
5. I could go for a banana.
6. Do bananas grow in Georgia?
7. It’s humid enough for bananas to grow in Georgia.
8. Is that a golf cart in front of me?
9. No. It’s a stroller.
10. Thats the biggest stroller I’ve ever seen.
11. That’s the biggest baby I’ve ever seen.
12. Maybe I’m seeing double.
13. Oh. Twins.
14. There’s sweat in my eyes.
15. Wow. I’m thirsty.
What do you think about while running?
When you feel like an old washing machine.
Posted: May 24, 2013 Filed under: life, running | Tags: athletes, dedication, encouragement, exercise, life, marathon, motivation, music, road racing, running, sports, training Leave a comment »
When it comes to running, there are days when you simply don’t have it. Something isn’t working. You’re out of breath and your body isn’t responding. You don’t plan it. It just happens. And unfortunately, it happens when you least expect it.
It’s a strange phenomenon that really can’t be explained so it comes down to this. In running and in life…
Somedays you have it and somedays you don’t.
During a training run this week, I experienced one of those “You don’t have it.” days. I felt like an old washing machine that was missing a foot. The kind of washing machine that rattles and shimmies and makes all kinds of noises. I was the washing machine that wobbles around during the wash cycle and bangs against the back wall during the spin cycle. I was the washing machine that everyone hates.
A mile in and I was out of breath. My feet weren’t hitting the ground right and my legs where out of sync. I felt like my arms were flailing and flopping in the wind. My head was down and my rhythm was off. I was an old washing machine running down the trail. Clumsy, loud and off balance. I was the runner that I hate.
So what do you do when this catastrophe happens? How do you realign and get out of this funk?
Here are three simple things that will help:
* Find a beat – If you listen to music while you run, hone in on the beat. Feel the rhythm and focus on the drum beat or the bass line. Let your feet land in time with music.
* Find your inner metronome – If you don’t have music, imagine a metronome. Listen to the tick. Watch the needle move back and forth in your mind. In short, trick yourself and create your own beat.
* Disassociate – When your running is out of sync, think about anything else but running. Think about your favorite vacation spot. Think about your favorite person. Think about you favorite experience. Your body has an amazing ability to remember things. Your muscles have memories. Don’t think about running. Your body knows how. Let it do it.
Do you have off days? How do you get past them?
Things I think about while running. (April edition)
Posted: May 10, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, detours, exercise, fear, motivation, road racing, running, seasons, sour cream, spring, squirrels, tacos Leave a comment »
(Photo credit: @Doug88888)
I often have deep and random thoughts while I run. Here are a few things that went through my head while I ran in April:
1. How much pollen do plants hold?
2. Everything is so green.
3. I need more plants in my yard.
4. There is no way to sneeze gracefully while running.
5. My trail is blocked.
6. I hate detours.
7. That guy in the hard hat looks mean.
8. I love new running routes.
9. Ohh. Taco Bell.
10. Yum. Sour cream.
11. That squirrel is going to move out of my way.
12. That squirrel is NOT going to move out of my way.
13. OH GOD! IT’S ON MY LEG!!
14. There is no way to gracefully shake a squirrel off of you while running.
15. Do squirrels like tacos?
What do you thing about while running?
Things I think about while running. (March edition)
Posted: April 12, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, exercise, learning, marathon, road racing, running, sports, training, weather 6 Comments »
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I often have deep thoughts while running. Here are a few that I had while running in March:
1. I should have wore sun screen.
2. The clouds are beautiful.
3. How fast do clouds move?
4. Where is that plane heading?
5. Could I leave a vapor trail on a humid day?
6. The skin on my head is burning.
7. My legs are burning.
8. How much do these shoes weigh?
9. Bricks.
10. This wind is ferocious.
11. I’m not very aerodynamic.
12. Hopefully the wind will be at my back soon.
13. Maybe it will be easier if I spread my arms out.
14. I might take flight.
15. Where was that plane heading?
What do you think about while running?
You know you’re a runner when…
Posted: March 29, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, church, dedication, exercise, marathon, motivation, road racing, running, shoes, sports, training Leave a comment »
The number one question I get about running is this:
“How do I make this pain in my legs go away?”
Part one of my answer is that I am not a doctor and if the pain is serious and persistent, you should see a doctor.
Part two of my answer is that if your a runner, pain comes with the territory. When your legs hurt in the morning, when you are sore in at least one part of your body on a daily basis, when you accept the pain as part of the package… then you know you’re a runner.
Along with being sore a lot, there are other dead give aways that identify you as a runner.
You know you’re a runner when:
- You find yourself stretching subconsciously in random places like a grocery store, at work, during a face to face conversation or at church.
- You bring up tempo runs in two out of three conversations.
- You think sweat is a fragrance.
- You don’t feel silly saying “fartlek“.
- People gasp when you tell them you went for a short and easy 10 miler.
- You run in your dreams.
- You put in extensive research before buying shoes.
- 90% of your clothing includes sweat wicking technology.
- If you’re not gasping for air at the end of a workout, you think it’s a failure.
- You own three or more water belts.
- You love the taste of Gel’s. (blech!)
- You have one or more playlists on your ipod titled “RUNNING”.
- You put bandaids in strategic places.
- You’re chafed… somewhere.
- No one wants to run with you on long run days.
- You’re a human garbage disposal.
- You have killer calves.
- You feel like you can conquer the world after a good run.
- You wish they sold endorphins over the counter.
- You feel alive!
And the list goes on and on.
What are some other things that identify you as a runner?
Things I think about while running. (February edition)
Posted: March 8, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, dedication, Doughnut, exercise, fruit, marathon, peaches, road racing, running, sports, Sugar, training Leave a comment »
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I often have deep and random thoughts while I run. Here are a few things that I thought about while running last month:
1. I need to paint my walls.
2. Is there a name for the color that is currently on my wall?
3. Peaches
4. Fruit. Yum!
5. I’m sweating profusely.
6. Is sweat slippery?
7. I should have turned the heat down.
8. I feel like a glazed donut.
9. Donuts!
10. This treadmill spins around like a donut.
11. Donuts!
12. This room needs more light.
13. I need to see the sun.
14. The sun is round like a donut.
15. Donuts!
What do you think about while running?
The treadmill in the corner
Posted: February 22, 2013 Filed under: running, sports | Tags: athletes, exercise, Fitness, marathon, road racing, running, Speed, sports, training, Treadmill Leave a comment »
My treadmill sits right next to the dusty Bowflex machine in that unused space in my house. I named my treadmill Reed because it’s a Reebok treadmill and that name just seemed to fit. And if your name is Reed, I’d like to apologize up front because Reed and I are not friends.
I leave Reed in the corner of the little room because I really don’t want to see him. I really don’t like Reed. In fact, I have a love/hate relationship with Reed. Reed doesn’t like me either. He doesn’t want to start up some times and I have to unplug his power cord and smack his side to wake him up.
But sometimes Reed and I must coexist. He comes in handy on really cold days and rainy days and days that I get behind and need a quick workout. And although Reed is loud and ornery and smelly, he’s not completely useless.
I’ve learned that there are things that the treadmill can do that will make me a better runner and even though we don’t see eye to eye… Reed is often my ally.
Here are some positive benefits of a treadmill workout:
Focus on form – Even though the treadmill doesn’t allow you to propel yourself forward, the motion is all the same. The key to efficient running is good form, the way your body moves, the mechanics. The treadmill is a great place to focus on where your feet are landing, how your arms are swaying and what your posture looks like.
Speed – Quick leg turnover means faster speeds. And to have quick leg turnover we have to perform intervals. Performing intervals requires that we speed up and slow down within a certain time period. And there is no easier way to change our speed than with the touch of a button. Fortunately, the treadmill has easy access to a wide range of speeds.
Maintaining heart rate – The treadmill keeps you moving and simply moving keeps the heart rate up. And when the heart rate is up, we gain and maintain fitness and burn calories.
The treadmill is not my favorite thing and Reed and I don’t always get along but we make it work and make the most of it.
What do you think of the treadmill? Love it or hate it?
Things I think about while running. (winter edition)
Posted: February 15, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, dedication, exercise, humor, marathon, road racing, Road Running, running, seasons, Trail running, training, Treadmill, Ultramarathon 4 Comments »
TREADMILL TRASH (Photo credit: happy via)
I often have random thoughts while I run. Here are a few I had while running this winter:
1. I love this treadmill.
2. I hate this treadmill.
3. Are these cold weather running pants made for men.
4. These cold weather running pants are hard to get on.
5. My lungs burn.
6. My legs burn.
7. New years resolution: Run more.
8. New years resolution: Run farther.
9. Maybe I could run an ultra marathon.
10. No chance (ultra)
11. Maybe (ultra)
12. No way (ultra)
13. I’ll think about it (ultra)
14. I’m eating cake after this run.
15. I’m still hungry.
What do you think about while running?
You’re a runner. You need an offseason.
Posted: February 8, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, dedication, exercise, learning, marathon, motivation, road racing, running, Season (sports), seasons, sports, training Leave a comment »
A Job for Scarpetta or a Tired Runner? (Photo credit: tantonr)
I believe runners are gifted athletes. We may not be able to throw a ball 100 mph, tackle a 200 lb. running back or perform a double windmill slam dunk but runners are gifted. As gifted or more so than a professional athlete. Why? Because we are consistent.
As runners, our season never ends. There is always another race. Ours is a year round sport. There is a 5k every weekend and a half marathon every month. We are constantly running and this is what makes us pro’s. We’re consistent. We always show up. But should we have an offseason?
In my mind, there is an unofficial running season. It ranges from mid march to late November, occasionally stretching into December. Just like seasons in a professional sport, there has to be a time to slow down and to take our foot off of the proverbial pedal.
Here are three benefits of a running offseason:
Healing - Running is grueling and the pavement and trails show no mercy. Our joints take a beating when we are in training mode. And just like the pro’s, we sacrifice and play hurt. The offseason gives us a chance to lower the mileage and dial down the intensity. It gives our bodies a chance to heal and strengthen.
Longevity - Though we love our sport, it’s easy to burn out. Running year round can get old fast and the enthusiasm that we usually have can be hard to conjure up at times. As much as running is a physical sport, it’s also a mental and emotional sport. The offseason is our chance to get our hearts and minds right and to make the joy of running last longer.
It’s flexible - I hate running in the cold so my offseason is during the winter months. But your offseason can be anytime. Every other month? Every two months? The beauty of a running off season is that it doesn’t come with rules or timeframes. You can take it when you want.
You are a runner. A gifted and committed athlete. You love your sport and you pour everything into it. But it’s a good idea to ease off the accelerator from time to time. Enjoy your offseason.
My right shoe
Posted: January 18, 2013 Filed under: life, running | Tags: athletes, dedication, encouragement, exercise, fear, Footwear, marathon, motivation, road racing, running, Shoe, shoes, sports, training 4 Comments »
Running Shoes (Photo credit: jdn)
The last time I checked, my right shoe was a mirror image of my left shoe. It’s made of the same amount of fabric and rubber as the left. It has the same red, orange and black color scheme as the left shoe and it has the same length and width.
My right shoe is just as roomy and comfortable as the left. It has a little more wear on the sole than the left but that’s just because I’m right footed. If there is such a thing as being right footed.
To any other person my right shoe would seem insignificant compared to my left shoe. But my right shoe has special meaning to me. It’s more than a ride. It represents something bigger. Because my right shoe is where I begin.
Running is rewarding and fun but it can also be hard and intimidating. Starting is the most difficult part and that degree of difficulty varies from person to person. Where do we begin?
We begin by getting off the couch.
We begin by getting out of bed.
We begin by stepping out the door.
We begin by lacing up.
I begin with my right shoe.
Putting my right shoe on first is less of a ritual or quirk. It’s more of a battle cry.
It’s a warning to the asphalt that lies ahead of me. It’s an ultimatum to the clock that I’m determined to beat. It’s an angry glare into the eyes of doubt and fear.
But most importantly, my right shoe is simply where I begin. It’s that start of something good.
We all begin somewhere. How will you begin today?
