I, like many, am renewed, vindicated and justified by Christoper McDougall and his book, "Born to Run". For good reasons this book has become the bible for runners. After running 30 years, completing 17 Marathons, qualifying for Boston and countless 10Ks, I am totally taken by the ideas in this book. I feel justified and vindicated because I am now part of big awakening of who we are.
My success at running has been very good. Over the years, I felt the need to justify my running. Some people would even question my motives and attitudes towards running; now it is they who should justify themselves. We are a running species.
To be here at this point in time and having had the history as I had, and backed by evidence that we are a running species, not just differentiated by intelligence, but by our ability to run, is very empowering. I was ready to take the next step. That step ... that step which is literary barefoot would be the most difficult I ever had to make.
My success at first was great. Within a month I was up to running 4 miles completely barefoot and another 2.5 with minimalist shoes; vibrams 5 fingers. I didn't like the Vibrams though and so I tried Huaraches, a simple running sandal mde of a thin rubber sole and strapped with leather laces to the foot. The same sandals the Raramuri's used. Until I trashed my right foot in them, it was one of the best runs I had. I felt fast, smooth and light, until mile 5. The pain started in very gradual at around 4 miles. It intensified until I had to stop at 5, but went away when I walked on it. So I finished the run with about 6 miles in all.
The next few weeks, the pain persisted. I knew I needed to stop running on it for a couple of weeks. And so I did. I rested, iced it down, wrapped it in Ace bandages. After another couple of weeks, I'd try it again. I'd have some success, but after a bit, the pain would return. This thing just wouldn't heal the way my other injuries would heal. After being off if it for a month, I went to a doctor to get it x-rayed. No stress fracture. Well that's a relief.
I gave it a couple more weeks. What this was doing to my running was one thing. What it was doing to my wife, friends and co-workers was another. When I can't use running to sweat off the stress at work, I'm not someone people you want to hang around with. Hell, I didn't want to hang around with me. I was a freaking mess. Angry at myself for pushing myself to quickly into barefoot running, scared that I may not recover, and fear that I was loosing control.
After several more weeks of trying different things, I wasn't getting much better. The pain persisted. Sometimes getting real bad other times just some discomfort. I tried running flats (sneakers) to see it they would help. I was trapped. After running barefoot successfully for several weeks I couldn't go back, but nothing I was doing was indicating I was going to get better. To say I was frustrated just doesn't describe it. I knew I had to overcome the atrophy that had set into my foot, but what is it going to take? How weak can my foot be? I got to 6.5 miles, how far back do I need to reset this thing to get started again?
The answer came to me through twitter and a link to http://runningquest.net. A twelve step program to transition to barefoot running. It became glaringly obvious what I was doing wrong. I was measuring progress in miles, instead of feet. It shocked me to realize just how much my foot had atrophied. My foot wasn't even strong enough to handle one block (100 ft), let alone a mile.
The body is an incredibly adaptable system. But training is as complex as the body is. My foot had developed a lot of strength from my 30 years of training and marathoning, in shoes though; not by themselves. I can't explain why my foot did so well at first and why it went so bad when it did, but it did. I'm following the plan by running quest now and for the first time, my progress is measurable, consistent and pain-free. I also put the shoes on and started running with them as well. It's a good compromise. I have to run. I can't wait for my foot catch up to what the rest of my body is used to and needs. This plan makes the most sense. I'll keep increasing the mileage for my barefoot runs and my other runs. Some day I hope to get rid of the shoes forever, but for now, I'm running again and that's all that matters.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Zen of Running
There are many activities that people perform to be healthy and have a sense of well being. Many think the two require different activities to achieve them. For instance, people exercise for health and meditate for well being. I think the two can be obtained at the same time while running. Activities like cycling, swimming or doing yoga can also be combined with meditation. Running is my sport so I do it well enough to meditate while running. I think by running and meditating together you can become better at running. It will also let you achieve a sense of well being in the process.
To see how this works we should first look into the act of meditating itself. In "The Relaxation Response", Herbert Benson identified key components of meditation. The first component involves a simple object to focus your thoughts on. In Transcendental Meditation this object is a word or mantra. The mantra can be something relevant or irrelevant like om, or inga. According to Herbert Benson it can also be a phrase like "Be Calm" or "Praise be to God".
While sitting comfortably you let your thoughts think about this mantra by repeating it over and over, not necessary out loud, but to yourself. You repeat this word or phrase in your mind saying it slowly and calmly. While the mantra is important for Transcendental Meditation, I'll show you that it isn't needed to calm the mind and enter a meditative state.
The most important aspect of meditation is how you bring your thoughts back to a quiet state, or mantra, when your thoughts wander. Everyone's thoughts wander while meditating. With practice it may not wonder as much, but it doesn't matter when it does. What matters is being aware that your thoughts have wandered and that it is time to bring them gently back to the mantra; without judgment, emotion or criticism.
After reading books like "Stroke of Insight" by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, I discovered that meditation happens anytime you have a quiet mind and a heightened level of awareness. According to Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, it happens when we quiet the left hemisphere of the brain and awaken to the right side of the brain.
Dr Taylor, a brain scientist, had a stroke that shut down the left hemisphere of her brain. She discovered something very wonderful about the brain. She discovered a new level of awareness and perspective that we are all capable of attaining. Although she was severely incapacitated, she was aware. She was conscious of certain things without the negative and critical chatter that comes from the left side of the brain. For Dr Taylor, the right side of the brain was free to take in her senses with a child like sense of awe and wonder. The right hemisphere of her brain was free to sense the emotions in facial expressions, detect the tone of voice people used when speaking to her, and was free to experience her surroundings as an integral part of her own body; she was one with the universe. In short, she experienced nirvana.
The left side of the brain works in a very linear way. It is responsible for speech; it knows "A" comes before "B" and "B" comes before "C"; it establishes the boundaries between objects we see; and it knows the past from the present and future. Since the left side of Dr. Jill's brain stopped functioning, she no longer heard the "chatter" in her brain that we know and take for granted. The chatter is the voice we hear in our heads, singing a familiar melody, or repeating the mantra we may use while meditating. So by meditating we quiet the left side of our brains. It helps us tap into the awareness centers of the right hemisphere.
When we are uptight with our minds racing a hundred miles an hour, we allow the left hemisphere to dominate. The left hemisphere is equally important as the right, but when we allow this chatter to dominate our thinking, we lose a keen and innate sense of awareness; an awareness that can be even mystical in nature.
For avid sports enthusiast like runners, we are at an advantage. We can tap into this awareness center, exercise it and make it even keener. We don't need a mantra, we only need to run and keep our thoughts in the present and on running. To do this, simply become aware of yourself. For example be aware of your breathing. Is it steady and easy, or labored and hard? Notice the strides you're making. Are they long and slow, or short and quick? While running take notice of your thoughts. Are you happy or upset at something? Notice how emotions make you run harder, sometimes too fast. Notice them and tell yourself to relax. Notice what you're doing without judgment, emotion or criticism. If you're thoughts wonders, bring it back into awareness of what you're doing at the present moment.
You'll find without any effort you can put yourself into a meditative state. A state that is calm and quiet of any emotions, but totally aware of your senses. You'll find it especially helpful on long runs. For instance if you start thinking, oh damn- I've got 5 more miles to run and get anxious, notice that the negative thoughts start to dominate. Notice that you start to feel like you can't finish. Likewise, notice what happens when you start thinking about how good you feel. You may get tempted to start pushing the pace too soon.
To improve your running, learn to meditate by staying in the present moment. Think about where you are right now, how you feel right now, and then push just as hard as you think you should in the present moment. As Eckert Tolle would say, use the power of now by being present and by being aware of how you feel right now, without projecting how you will feel at the end of the run or whether or not you can finish.
What you are doing is meditating. You're focused on what you're doing without judgment or criticism. It doesn't take a mantra, it just takes awareness and it takes a quiet mind. Those who enjoy listening to music while running are probably wondering what I think about music. On some occasions I'll listen to music while I run, but I'm sure I don't achieve a meditative state while doing so. On some longer runs I may listen to it for a while but I am aware that I am not as calm as I can be while meditating. If I get too anxious, I just take them off and get back into the moment. I've found that running without music can be more enjoyable than running with music.
There are many things you can focus your thoughts on to meditate while running or whatever your activity may be. For me it may be the way my arms swing by my side. I do this when I need to relax. I focus on my hands and to try to relax them. Then I think of my arms and shoulders and relax them. You can change your focus while running. You may to need to change your stride and leverage different muscles in your legs. You can focus your thoughts on your calf muscles or quads. It's up to you. Just be sure to stay focus on this area for a while. Think about the rhythm of your stride and how it affects a particular muscle. Again what matters is how you focus these thoughts. Become aware, be calm, and be without judgment. Just be in the present moment and feel what you feel with awareness and acceptance.
Try meditating while you run and let me know what you think.
To see how this works we should first look into the act of meditating itself. In "The Relaxation Response", Herbert Benson identified key components of meditation. The first component involves a simple object to focus your thoughts on. In Transcendental Meditation this object is a word or mantra. The mantra can be something relevant or irrelevant like om, or inga. According to Herbert Benson it can also be a phrase like "Be Calm" or "Praise be to God".
While sitting comfortably you let your thoughts think about this mantra by repeating it over and over, not necessary out loud, but to yourself. You repeat this word or phrase in your mind saying it slowly and calmly. While the mantra is important for Transcendental Meditation, I'll show you that it isn't needed to calm the mind and enter a meditative state.
The most important aspect of meditation is how you bring your thoughts back to a quiet state, or mantra, when your thoughts wander. Everyone's thoughts wander while meditating. With practice it may not wonder as much, but it doesn't matter when it does. What matters is being aware that your thoughts have wandered and that it is time to bring them gently back to the mantra; without judgment, emotion or criticism.
After reading books like "Stroke of Insight" by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, I discovered that meditation happens anytime you have a quiet mind and a heightened level of awareness. According to Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, it happens when we quiet the left hemisphere of the brain and awaken to the right side of the brain.
Dr Taylor, a brain scientist, had a stroke that shut down the left hemisphere of her brain. She discovered something very wonderful about the brain. She discovered a new level of awareness and perspective that we are all capable of attaining. Although she was severely incapacitated, she was aware. She was conscious of certain things without the negative and critical chatter that comes from the left side of the brain. For Dr Taylor, the right side of the brain was free to take in her senses with a child like sense of awe and wonder. The right hemisphere of her brain was free to sense the emotions in facial expressions, detect the tone of voice people used when speaking to her, and was free to experience her surroundings as an integral part of her own body; she was one with the universe. In short, she experienced nirvana.
The left side of the brain works in a very linear way. It is responsible for speech; it knows "A" comes before "B" and "B" comes before "C"; it establishes the boundaries between objects we see; and it knows the past from the present and future. Since the left side of Dr. Jill's brain stopped functioning, she no longer heard the "chatter" in her brain that we know and take for granted. The chatter is the voice we hear in our heads, singing a familiar melody, or repeating the mantra we may use while meditating. So by meditating we quiet the left side of our brains. It helps us tap into the awareness centers of the right hemisphere.
When we are uptight with our minds racing a hundred miles an hour, we allow the left hemisphere to dominate. The left hemisphere is equally important as the right, but when we allow this chatter to dominate our thinking, we lose a keen and innate sense of awareness; an awareness that can be even mystical in nature.
For avid sports enthusiast like runners, we are at an advantage. We can tap into this awareness center, exercise it and make it even keener. We don't need a mantra, we only need to run and keep our thoughts in the present and on running. To do this, simply become aware of yourself. For example be aware of your breathing. Is it steady and easy, or labored and hard? Notice the strides you're making. Are they long and slow, or short and quick? While running take notice of your thoughts. Are you happy or upset at something? Notice how emotions make you run harder, sometimes too fast. Notice them and tell yourself to relax. Notice what you're doing without judgment, emotion or criticism. If you're thoughts wonders, bring it back into awareness of what you're doing at the present moment.
You'll find without any effort you can put yourself into a meditative state. A state that is calm and quiet of any emotions, but totally aware of your senses. You'll find it especially helpful on long runs. For instance if you start thinking, oh damn- I've got 5 more miles to run and get anxious, notice that the negative thoughts start to dominate. Notice that you start to feel like you can't finish. Likewise, notice what happens when you start thinking about how good you feel. You may get tempted to start pushing the pace too soon.
To improve your running, learn to meditate by staying in the present moment. Think about where you are right now, how you feel right now, and then push just as hard as you think you should in the present moment. As Eckert Tolle would say, use the power of now by being present and by being aware of how you feel right now, without projecting how you will feel at the end of the run or whether or not you can finish.
What you are doing is meditating. You're focused on what you're doing without judgment or criticism. It doesn't take a mantra, it just takes awareness and it takes a quiet mind. Those who enjoy listening to music while running are probably wondering what I think about music. On some occasions I'll listen to music while I run, but I'm sure I don't achieve a meditative state while doing so. On some longer runs I may listen to it for a while but I am aware that I am not as calm as I can be while meditating. If I get too anxious, I just take them off and get back into the moment. I've found that running without music can be more enjoyable than running with music.
There are many things you can focus your thoughts on to meditate while running or whatever your activity may be. For me it may be the way my arms swing by my side. I do this when I need to relax. I focus on my hands and to try to relax them. Then I think of my arms and shoulders and relax them. You can change your focus while running. You may to need to change your stride and leverage different muscles in your legs. You can focus your thoughts on your calf muscles or quads. It's up to you. Just be sure to stay focus on this area for a while. Think about the rhythm of your stride and how it affects a particular muscle. Again what matters is how you focus these thoughts. Become aware, be calm, and be without judgment. Just be in the present moment and feel what you feel with awareness and acceptance.
Try meditating while you run and let me know what you think.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Pleasures of Running
I've been thinking about this topic for some time. Dean Karnazes first got me thinking about it in his book 50/50/50. Dean is an elite ultra-marathoner. He said the reason he doesn't eat processed, fried or fatty foods has more to do with being a hedonist than trying to be healthy. Eating right just makes you feel good.
But the pleasures one feels from running and eating right, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many pleasures associated with running, is it hedonism? So I look up hedonism in the dictionary: "People whose life is devoted (above all other values) to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification." No it's not hedonism, but it got me thinking. I wish there was a more positive word to describe the pleasures I get from running.
I know many of you can relate to how good a warm shower feels on a cold day. But have you sensed the warm shower over your body after a long run on a cold day? The muscles in your body are warm from the run while the extremities are cold. The sensations of the warm water as it soothes and mingles with the aching muscles and cold extremities just can't be described. Or what about how it feels to just drink a glass of cold water after a hard run on a hot day? Looking at us drinking water, you'd think we were drinking a glass of cold beer or an expensive bottle of wine. But no, it's just water. Water that cuts through and refreshes our dry mouths and feels like it is instantly absorbed into our system even before it reaches our stomachs. Do you think I exaggerate?
I speak of running, but this is true for many activities like yoga and cycling. These activities teach us to have an acute sense and understanding of our bodies. We feel and become intimately aware of every muscle, bone, tendon (and oh yes, every organ) in it. While running, we feel and take notice of every part. We are in tune with our bodies. Without words we speak and they respond. Like a gentle friend, we ask them what they can do; we understand them; we encourage them; we build them up; and protect them. I take care of them and they take care of me. It is such a pleasure to know how they feel.
There is nothing bad about feeling this way. It is a good and positive activity for the soul. These feelings spill out over our lives. By feeling good about ourselves and our bodies, we are in the right frame of mind to feel good about and truly love others. In the same manner that we learn to take care of ourselves, we care for others. We learn to be more open and intimate with people in our lives. This love for self becomes love for others. It empowers and is empowering. It is good.
Hedonism is not the best word to describe the pleasure I feel. But then again without experiencing it firsthand, what sense is there in describing it anyway?
But the pleasures one feels from running and eating right, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many pleasures associated with running, is it hedonism? So I look up hedonism in the dictionary: "People whose life is devoted (above all other values) to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification." No it's not hedonism, but it got me thinking. I wish there was a more positive word to describe the pleasures I get from running.
I know many of you can relate to how good a warm shower feels on a cold day. But have you sensed the warm shower over your body after a long run on a cold day? The muscles in your body are warm from the run while the extremities are cold. The sensations of the warm water as it soothes and mingles with the aching muscles and cold extremities just can't be described. Or what about how it feels to just drink a glass of cold water after a hard run on a hot day? Looking at us drinking water, you'd think we were drinking a glass of cold beer or an expensive bottle of wine. But no, it's just water. Water that cuts through and refreshes our dry mouths and feels like it is instantly absorbed into our system even before it reaches our stomachs. Do you think I exaggerate?
I speak of running, but this is true for many activities like yoga and cycling. These activities teach us to have an acute sense and understanding of our bodies. We feel and become intimately aware of every muscle, bone, tendon (and oh yes, every organ) in it. While running, we feel and take notice of every part. We are in tune with our bodies. Without words we speak and they respond. Like a gentle friend, we ask them what they can do; we understand them; we encourage them; we build them up; and protect them. I take care of them and they take care of me. It is such a pleasure to know how they feel.
There is nothing bad about feeling this way. It is a good and positive activity for the soul. These feelings spill out over our lives. By feeling good about ourselves and our bodies, we are in the right frame of mind to feel good about and truly love others. In the same manner that we learn to take care of ourselves, we care for others. We learn to be more open and intimate with people in our lives. This love for self becomes love for others. It empowers and is empowering. It is good.
Hedonism is not the best word to describe the pleasure I feel. But then again without experiencing it firsthand, what sense is there in describing it anyway?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Running from Depression
I started running in college out of desperation. I was lonely and depressed. I remember having trouble sleeping and thinking I must be going crazy. I thought that a definite sign of going crazy would be if I started hallucinating. I had thoughts of suicide. I would lay in bed sometimes drifting in and out of sleep, but mostly I would just lay there awake in a state of fear; fear of going crazy and taking my own life.
I had been to a psychologist for while, but I couldn't confide in him what was really bothering me. I had smoked pot in college and believe some of it may have been laced with heroin. I had a bad trip and it gave me feelings of paranoia. I had flash-backs which only intensified the anxiety I felt and the feeling that I was going crazy.
I was extremely lonely. I had broken up with my girl-friend and she had become engaged to someone else. I had trouble dating other woman. I hated myself for being so shy. I envisioned myself dating woman and getting into the college scene, but it wasn't anything like I imagined. I kept up with my studies, but I couldn't take it anymore. The thoughts of suicide kept recurring. I could jump in front of that car, drive off a bridge, there were many thoughts that with just an impulse I could end my own life.
With a suggestion from my sister, I read a book called "Positive Addiction" by William Glasser M.D. I read it and thought I'd give his suggestions a try. He suggested running as a way to mental health. He said we're all creatures of addictions, some good and some bad. We should choose good things to be addicted to and one good addiction is running.
When I first started running, the thoughts of suicide persisted. I remember running on the road and thinking with a simple impulse I could jump in front of that car and could end it all. I remember saying to myself, give it a couple of weeks and if it didn't work, I would do it; I'd kill myself.
Even though the thought of suicide persisted for some time, they didn't create the dread I felt so intensely as before. I started sleeping better and the anxiety I felt didn't persist as before. I gradually increased my distance to a couple of miles and then to 6 miles. As Glasser suggested the activity should be around an hour a day. Just about the time I work up to 6 miles (an hour of running) I had my first set-back, I got injured. I hurt my knee and couldn't keep running. I had to take some time off. I thought I'd never recover. Would I ever be able to run again? The feelings of anxiety and dread returned.
I did recover and bought myself a good pair of running shoes. I continued to work my way up in strength and distance. One day while sitting with my family my mother said something about the muscles in my legs. I never really noticed them before. Somehow I looked down and my body had transformed. I had transformed; I was a runner.
Running was a great thing for me. I had an identity now. I learned what I could about sport physiology and training methods. People would see me running and I'd talk about it. People were interested in me. I started running road races. People would come out to watch me. I joined a running club and met more people. I trained and ran in my first marathon and I got a job at a fitness club.
That's been over 30 years ago. My girlfriend broke off her engagement and we got back together again. We got married, have two kids, have some money, have friends; and I'm high on life. Running has become a part of my life. It has been so good for me. I want others to know about it and get the benefits I have so much enjoyed. I'd love to hear your stories too, so please share them with me. Together, let's make people more aware the benefits running can provide.
I had been to a psychologist for while, but I couldn't confide in him what was really bothering me. I had smoked pot in college and believe some of it may have been laced with heroin. I had a bad trip and it gave me feelings of paranoia. I had flash-backs which only intensified the anxiety I felt and the feeling that I was going crazy.
I was extremely lonely. I had broken up with my girl-friend and she had become engaged to someone else. I had trouble dating other woman. I hated myself for being so shy. I envisioned myself dating woman and getting into the college scene, but it wasn't anything like I imagined. I kept up with my studies, but I couldn't take it anymore. The thoughts of suicide kept recurring. I could jump in front of that car, drive off a bridge, there were many thoughts that with just an impulse I could end my own life.
With a suggestion from my sister, I read a book called "Positive Addiction" by William Glasser M.D. I read it and thought I'd give his suggestions a try. He suggested running as a way to mental health. He said we're all creatures of addictions, some good and some bad. We should choose good things to be addicted to and one good addiction is running.
When I first started running, the thoughts of suicide persisted. I remember running on the road and thinking with a simple impulse I could jump in front of that car and could end it all. I remember saying to myself, give it a couple of weeks and if it didn't work, I would do it; I'd kill myself.
Even though the thought of suicide persisted for some time, they didn't create the dread I felt so intensely as before. I started sleeping better and the anxiety I felt didn't persist as before. I gradually increased my distance to a couple of miles and then to 6 miles. As Glasser suggested the activity should be around an hour a day. Just about the time I work up to 6 miles (an hour of running) I had my first set-back, I got injured. I hurt my knee and couldn't keep running. I had to take some time off. I thought I'd never recover. Would I ever be able to run again? The feelings of anxiety and dread returned.
I did recover and bought myself a good pair of running shoes. I continued to work my way up in strength and distance. One day while sitting with my family my mother said something about the muscles in my legs. I never really noticed them before. Somehow I looked down and my body had transformed. I had transformed; I was a runner.
Running was a great thing for me. I had an identity now. I learned what I could about sport physiology and training methods. People would see me running and I'd talk about it. People were interested in me. I started running road races. People would come out to watch me. I joined a running club and met more people. I trained and ran in my first marathon and I got a job at a fitness club.
That's been over 30 years ago. My girlfriend broke off her engagement and we got back together again. We got married, have two kids, have some money, have friends; and I'm high on life. Running has become a part of my life. It has been so good for me. I want others to know about it and get the benefits I have so much enjoyed. I'd love to hear your stories too, so please share them with me. Together, let's make people more aware the benefits running can provide.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Don't take bad running days to heart
I can't always predict if I'm going to have a bad day running or good. Today was a bad day. I don't think it says anything about my training other than it's probably time to back off a bit until I can attack the distance again with more confidence.
Two weeks ago, I ran 19 miles and had enough strength left over to punch the last 3 miles; faster than race pace. (oh yeah!) This week after some resting up I ran 22 miles. I was not nearly as strong as I thought I should have been. I will be happy with this accomplishment, since I was able to complete the distance eventhough I was not mentally or physically up to the task. I did it anyway and I can now back off with confidence.
Confidence that after some rest, I'll be able to look at my 26.2 mile marathon goal with better appreciation and mental preparation than when I set out to run 22 miles. It's all part of the training, I guess. Bad days prepare you mentally for your next run more than good days. We should accept the bad days as part of the training we do. Without them we can't find the will to do better the next time.
Looking back at why I was so strong at 19 miles it was, I think, due to failing to complete the distance as planned the week before. All week I was picturing in my mind how I wanted to recover and do better next time. I think now that I had another bad day, I will be ready next time. There's no guarentee this will be the case, but I'd rather approach my next run with more humility and mental preparation than I did this time.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Two weeks ago, I ran 19 miles and had enough strength left over to punch the last 3 miles; faster than race pace. (oh yeah!) This week after some resting up I ran 22 miles. I was not nearly as strong as I thought I should have been. I will be happy with this accomplishment, since I was able to complete the distance eventhough I was not mentally or physically up to the task. I did it anyway and I can now back off with confidence.
Confidence that after some rest, I'll be able to look at my 26.2 mile marathon goal with better appreciation and mental preparation than when I set out to run 22 miles. It's all part of the training, I guess. Bad days prepare you mentally for your next run more than good days. We should accept the bad days as part of the training we do. Without them we can't find the will to do better the next time.
Looking back at why I was so strong at 19 miles it was, I think, due to failing to complete the distance as planned the week before. All week I was picturing in my mind how I wanted to recover and do better next time. I think now that I had another bad day, I will be ready next time. There's no guarentee this will be the case, but I'd rather approach my next run with more humility and mental preparation than I did this time.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, October 8, 2009
When running 12 miles is easy?
There are a lot of motivational factors about marathon training; being in shape, getting faster 10k times, enjoying the outdoors, and feeling confident about yourself. The one thing I think about is how far I've come from base training and how I'm able to run distances that I could not have reached before, but now can attain when I set my mind to it.
Most marathon training programs begin with a base mileage week. The running base usually consists of two or three moderate distance runs (6-8 miles) a tempo run and a 12 mile weekend run. When starting out 12 miles seems so long compared to a 10k run, I usually run. But after building up to distances closer to the marathon, the few weeks we have to recover usually involves resorting back to our base mileage; i.e the 12 mile run.
Running 12 miles seems so much easier now. After several months of building up 14, 16, 18 or more miles at a time, backing off and running 12 miles seems like, well?, a walk in the park? Maybe not that easy, but it's a great thought and one that keeps me motivated. If 12 miles can become much easier, then perhaps I will be able to reach my goal pace and complete the marathon.
I hope your training is going well. Please let me know what keeps you motivated.
Most marathon training programs begin with a base mileage week. The running base usually consists of two or three moderate distance runs (6-8 miles) a tempo run and a 12 mile weekend run. When starting out 12 miles seems so long compared to a 10k run, I usually run. But after building up to distances closer to the marathon, the few weeks we have to recover usually involves resorting back to our base mileage; i.e the 12 mile run.
Running 12 miles seems so much easier now. After several months of building up 14, 16, 18 or more miles at a time, backing off and running 12 miles seems like, well?, a walk in the park? Maybe not that easy, but it's a great thought and one that keeps me motivated. If 12 miles can become much easier, then perhaps I will be able to reach my goal pace and complete the marathon.
I hope your training is going well. Please let me know what keeps you motivated.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Why I like to run
I like to run. Running to me is different than jogging. Jogging is exercise whereas running is a way of life. Having run for nearly 30 years with many different types of runners, I know some of you will understand me. For those who feel running is just something we do because it is good for you, then you are talking about jogging to me, not running. I think I would run even if they said it wasn't good for me. Running is more than health, although health is a very large part of it.
I think running connects us with our sense of self, with each other, with nature and the world around us. We are physical beings and spiritual beings. When we run, we connect ourselves to our bodies and our surrounding, our minds are focused and relaxed. The steady metronome of our pace allows our consciousness to enter a state of meditative awareness. We become aware of our breathing, our hands as they swing back and forth, the muscles in our legs, the incline or decline of the road ahead of us. Anxiety over our lives dissipates as we allow the physical nature of a run to burn off anxious energy; as a car burns fuel to go. The anxious energy is replaced with new confidence and peace that whatever we face, we can face with focus and calm energy.
This is running to me. Running is way to tune into our physical and mental energy in a positive, relaxed and contemplative state. Running is never boring. Even when I go out and run for hours and hours at a time, my mind is free to ponder issues without anxiety. Without running, I get caught up with these thoughts and can't separate the issues from my fears and concerns for them. While running I can. I can see the issues for what they are. I can accept them without fear or anxiety. The confidence I gained by completing a long run spills out over these issue and are wrapped in the same confidence shared with running. This feeling continues with all tasks I face for the day.
Running is way of life. It is not the only way. For those that find running hard, then walk, do yoga or go cycling. I think the same can be said for these activities. Although running is different for me. It is simple and primitive. It is the most sure way I know to be me.
I think running connects us with our sense of self, with each other, with nature and the world around us. We are physical beings and spiritual beings. When we run, we connect ourselves to our bodies and our surrounding, our minds are focused and relaxed. The steady metronome of our pace allows our consciousness to enter a state of meditative awareness. We become aware of our breathing, our hands as they swing back and forth, the muscles in our legs, the incline or decline of the road ahead of us. Anxiety over our lives dissipates as we allow the physical nature of a run to burn off anxious energy; as a car burns fuel to go. The anxious energy is replaced with new confidence and peace that whatever we face, we can face with focus and calm energy.
This is running to me. Running is way to tune into our physical and mental energy in a positive, relaxed and contemplative state. Running is never boring. Even when I go out and run for hours and hours at a time, my mind is free to ponder issues without anxiety. Without running, I get caught up with these thoughts and can't separate the issues from my fears and concerns for them. While running I can. I can see the issues for what they are. I can accept them without fear or anxiety. The confidence I gained by completing a long run spills out over these issue and are wrapped in the same confidence shared with running. This feeling continues with all tasks I face for the day.
Running is way of life. It is not the only way. For those that find running hard, then walk, do yoga or go cycling. I think the same can be said for these activities. Although running is different for me. It is simple and primitive. It is the most sure way I know to be me.
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