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?

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.

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.