The Run Around
After a few running-related post mentions (like this, this and this), I’ve gotten a bunch of requests to write a more in-depth post about my hobby – so I’m veering off home topics just for today (like we’ve done with hair-cutting, Eminem, nursing, and Clara’s birth story to name a few other times). But don’t worry, I’ll be back with more deck progress on Monday (it’s actually starting to really LOOK LIKE A DECK – you have no idea how exciting that is to us). As for the subject of running, I’ve hesitated to tackle this subject a few times, because although I call myself a “runner” and it’s a hobby I’ve enjoyed for over a decade, I’m certainly no expert. I don’t subscribe to any strict running lifestyle or rigorous routine. But I do run races (usually 10Ks, although I’ve done one half marathon). And I enjoy my Runner’s World subscription (despite Sherry’s jokes that it’s the same articles each month about stretching and running shoes just slightly repackaged).
How I Got Started: I got the running bug my second year of college (2002) after a couple of failed attempts to get into it before that (I never made it past the track team “interest meeting” in high school). It didn’t stick until my roommates (one was already a runner, the other was a newbie like me) welcomed me on their nightly 20-minute jogs one unseasonably warm January. What was different about this attempt? I think because for once the act of running took a backseat to other things like socializing with my friends and enjoying the great outdoors. Shortly after that, another friend convinced me to sign up for a 10K she was doing later that spring – oh the things college guys do for college women. That was Richmond’s Monument Avenue 10k, a race I’ve now done every year since (2012 being my 11th consecutive time). I threw up at the end of that first one, but apparently not enough to turn me off to the whole running thing. Though that girl and I never worked out, fortunately I snagged myself another one…
Why I Run: Let’s start with the usual suspects. I enjoy the fitness benefits of it (mainly it makes me feel better about occasionally eating junk food) and it’s a great stress reliever. I like the self-competitiveness of it – trying to better a race time or run a longer distance. But I actually like it most for the music. Weird, I know. But the main way I kept myself motivated to run through college was so that I could listen to a CD I just bought (remember the Discman?). To this day I geek out making special playlists for each race, crafting it to be just about as long as I think I’ll be running – interspersing slow songs as reminders to pace myself and strategically putting fast beats towards the end to help me keep from fizzling out. I did once get a sarcastic “har-har” from Sherry when I explained that MJ’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” belonged at the beginning of my playlist because that’s when, duh, I’m starting something.
I also like to run for the exploration of it all. My dad (who is 67 and faster than me) likes to run the same loop so he can gauge his pace against familiar landmarks. I, on the other hand, prefer to try out new routes and take random turns just to see where it will take me and what scenery I’ll encounter (one of the reasons Runner’s World’s Rave Runs photos often serve as my laptop’s wallpaper). I love getting “lost” on trails so that I can subconsciously add miles finding my way back. Or weaving through city blocks downtown to check out some of Richmond’s coolest homes. Basically, doing circles around a track is my nightmare. Unless I’ve made a good playlist for it, of course.
My Training Schedule: I’d love to share a running routine with you guys, but I don’t have one. I used to aim for 3 days a week, but now 8-10 times a month is a good month. Part of the reason I sign up for races is to guarantee at least one run in my future – and hopefully a few in advance to make sure my body remembers how to put one foot in front of the other. My most disciplined year was back in 2007, when I really pushed myself to get a good time in the Monument 10k. My 10+ mile training runs paid off with my fastest 10K time yet (and still) at 46:23. It also gave me the confidence to run my first (and only) half marathon two weeks later. That earned me a 1:52:27 time and a case of runner’s knee that has haunted me ever since.
My Goals: I have secret aspirations of doing a marathon sometime in my lifetime, but despite the physical therapy I did after the injury in 2007 – my knee still starts to complain once I get close to double-digit mileage. Sherry also reminds me that some of my first words after completing the half marathon were “Don’t ever let me do a marathon. I can’t imagine having to do this run twice in a row.” But that was five years ago, so I’m thinking of trying to tackle another half sometime soon to see if it leaves me with the same impression.
Ultimately I want to keep running fun. Right now I get a lot of joy from it – whether from music, scenery, a cheering race crowd, a good conversation with a running buddy or just pushing myself that extra mile. So if I never introduce a training regime of speed drills and hill workouts to my calendar, I’d die plenty happy. Just give me my running shoes, my iPod (with the Nike+ app), and perhaps Clara in her jogging stroller and I’ll be one content runner. Well, and I’d love to have Sherry join me too, but the bad ankle she developed from being one of the fastest girls on her track/cross country team as a teen won’t let her do much more than a fast walk without a swollen grapefruit-looking-ankle to show for it.
If I Had To Offer Some Advice: So now that I’ve firmly establish I don’t have the most conventional or regimented outlook on running, I can’t expect you to give much weight to my advice. BUT, just in case someone out there is looking to start running (or just do it more regularly), here’s what I would offer up as a few things to try:
- Figure out what about running makes you happy and plan around that. Is it socializing? Then find a friend to run with. Is it being alone with your thoughts? Find some peaceful, uncrowded trails to lose yourself on. Is it the competition? Sign up for races. Not everyone has to enjoy running for the same reasons, so don’t be shy about embracing yours.
- Don’t push yourself. For most people, any running is better for you than none at all. If you can’t go a mile without taking a walk break, don’t beat yourself up over it. Be proud of the distance you did run and savor the moments you’re walking (I still enjoy a good walk break – notice the red spots on the map above). Who cares if you can’t run a 5K / 10K / half-marathon / marathon / whatever is your unattainable distance? If you spend too much energy lamenting what you can’t do, you won’t put it into relishing what you can.
- Find a race that you can look forward to. I love organized races – whether they’re 5Ks, 10Ks, whatever. They’re pretty much my favorite thing about being a runner. Not only is the energy of the crowd (both of other runners and the people cheering from the sidelines) a great boost, but I also find they’re great motivators to lace up on my own in preparation. So find a race that speaks to you for some reason – the course looks especially fun, it promises great music, it benefits a great cause, or maybe they throw colored cornstarch at you? – and sign up for it. If you don’t know where to find a race, try a local running shop, sporting goods store, or even a local gym for more info. They usually have flyers up.
Okay, now here’s the part where all you other runners (hardcore or casual like me) can raise your virtual hand and tell me a little bit about your running-self. What’s your favorite part about running? How do you keep yourself motivated? Any particular personal best or success stories you wanna share?
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
I just can’t bring myself to read all 432 comments to see if this has been addressed (hope you can forgiveme :)) – I was wondering what headphones work for you. I’ve tried my earbuds but there was just too much wiggling/static noise and it drove me nuts!
I just use the basic ipod headphones. Maybe it’s an ear-shape thing? Haha. Sherry says they bug her but they’re great for me.
-John
One of the best days I had in Sweden last year was when I went for my morning run and got hopelessly lost in Linkoping. It took me past some places I never would have found otherwise. And even let me practice my “sign language” as I tried to explain my plight to some locals who don’t speak English. LOL
I love finding fun races too! So motivating for the weekly runs. I was really looking forward to running in the Detroit Colour Me Rad run on July, but they cancelled it :( Hopefully they will bring something similar to Canada next year. I also love all the new obsticle races popping up everywhere. There is one in Ontario in September that involves running away from Zombies!
Great post and comments.
I love that feeling right after a run that feels like a mix of happiness, relief, and relaxation. As good for the head as it is for the body, for sure.
One motivator for me has been joining a few running fan sites on Facebook. Having an inspirational running pic and quote reminds me to get out there.
I never feel like running, but I’m always glad I did!
Thanks for sharing, John.
I was so into running until i ended up with runner knee. I hated that freaking chondromalacia patella.
Now, i’m just lazy lacking the motivation needed to go for it again.
My couch to 5k plan has been printed again and again and still nothing.
Music is a great passion of mine, so I will have to revisit the good ol iTunes and start working on a playlist to give me some pep in my step!
Thanks again for sharing! Keep up the great work. And kudos to your dad! He is a beam of hope for us all!
This is fun! I always like to hear how people fit running into their life. I used to run before I had kids, and I have a 7yr old and a 4yr old now. Since I work days and my husband works nights, it’s hard to find a time to run, but it’s worth when I do! The meditative quality of going for a run is so nice, and I like the music too. Getting back into running was a little hard, but I used the Ease Into 5K app on my ipod touch, and it’s great. It tells me when to walk and when to run, and I can gently get back into the groove. Thanks for the post!
my fav thing about running is it gives me happy feelings, energy and keeps my anxiety under control! My husband and I have run three 5k’s since we started jogging a few years ago. Next summer we are doing a mini triathlon which I’m excited about! :)
My husband was a casual runner in his 20s and early 30s, but then he got more serious about it. He did lots of 10ks and a couple of half marathons over a 10-year stretch, and he recently ran his first marathon at age 45. So, don’t think you need to do that marathon now while you are young!
At the ripe age of 29 I have finally embraced a love for running. My dad starting running shortly after I came into the world and has been at it ever since. After having our daughter last year, I decided to start running for two reasons: one, to get back in shape after all that baby-craving Mexican food and two, to run a race with my dad. He will probably always be able to run faster and longer than me, but to keep up with him for at least a little while will be worth it in the end!
Just thought you should know that you totally inspired me to find a race to sign up for this fall to help keep my yogging motivated. Other than a miserable failure of a cross country season in high school this will be my first time “racing” ever!
~Dani
That’s awesome Dani! Good luck!
-John
Please, everybody, get properly fitted for running shoes (barefoot, minimalist, traditional, or whatever is your jam) at a legit running store! No more $30 athletic shoes from Marshalls or TJ Maxx! (<– I was completely guilty of this, and got fitted when I joined Team in Training through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…now I run half and full marathons). Also, John — Team in Training is a GREAT way to train for a marathon. You get the support of coaches and a team and a great training schedule, and you support an amazing cause. I really encourage you to try 26.2. It's life-changing. Best of luck!
Love this post! I got in to running 2 years ago and after 2 5Ks, made the too-quick jump to a 10K resulting in a dislocated knee. After months and months of PT, I am finally getting back into it, and building mileage much more slowly this time. I signed up for the Spartan Sprint in November – a 3 mile obstacle course – and I can’t wait. I agree with signing up for races. It keeps me motivated to keep going!
If either of you are thinking about physical therapy again, try Andy Symula at the Advanced Wellness Center (corner of Grove Ave. and Thompson St. in the Museum District). First of all, the center is amazing, with chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, etc. all in house. But Andy is the most incredible therapist–so talented. His approach is mostly that of trigger point therapy, which he learned after completing PT school and now uses as his specialty. He is a serious cyclist and works with a lot of athletes as well. I started seeing him a year ago for a back injury and just cannot recommend him enough.
Thanks for the tip Laura!
xo,
s
Another commenter is doing The Disney!! Woo!
Diz was my first Marathon in ’11… and I realized that I want to do The Goofy before trying to make babies. So we are signed up!
37.3 miles seem absolutely ridiculous and I’m doing it anyway. Possibly for the blibg.
If you ever go for a full, I can’t recommend Disney World enough. Land was meh,but World was incredibly well organized. No need for water belts, even!
I’m glad to be training again, too. I need a goal to push for.
Also have to give major live to PodRunner. I went from running 20′ in heels if someone was chasing me to surviving a full Marathon. Bribing myself with Starbucks may have helped too, lol.
Not a runner (yet) . . . but married to one. And if I could say just one thing, it would be “Read Born to Run by Christ MacDougal.” Humans were designed to run longer and better than any other creature on the face of the earth, and Chris is a master story-teller.
Oh, and fwiw, my DH always resisted running because of knee trouble . . . but with improved form, he’s now running 50k’s with absolutely. no. trouble. Just transition slowly, so your feet have time to get strong, because they’re taking on the stress that your knees used to be absorbing. The difference? Your feet are designed to absorb the shock, whereas knees are made to allow you to pick your feet up off the ground. ;)
Best of luck, and happy running!
John, I know you’re a cat aka dogs-that-kinda-look-like-cats person and all, but wouldn’t it be fun for you to have a dog as your running buddy?!
Excuse my random question, but I’m curious how you fell about that. :)
I would love that actually!
-John
wow, i feel like we share so many similarities about running.
for starters, i thought i was the only person who ran just so that they could hang out with their ipod. i found the new nano is perfect.
competitions definitely work to motivate me too..
for me, the biggest toss up is deciding whether to run for social reasons, which means no music, or to just run solo. i do find that i miss out on the social piece when i run alone. so it’s a tough call…
I am so late to this party, but just in case it helps–the foam roller makes a HUGE difference. I was doing PT for six months for runner’s knee, and I finally switched to a new therapist, she released my IT bands and told me to use a foam roller, and voila–pain was gone. It still bothers me a tiny bit once I get into double-digit mileage (but honestly, a lot of that is probably running through my fifth pregnancy, and you won’t have that issue! :-)
Just the mention of foam rollers makes me shudder. They really do work, but good lord they feel like torture devices, especially when you’re rolling down along the IT band.
I can’t believe I missed this post the first time around–thank goodness for the monthly wrap-ups!
I’ve run on and off for most of my life. My dad was a runner, so some of my favorite childhood pictures are of him and me (at age 3 or 4) with our race numbers pinned on our shirts. I doubt I actually ran any real races then, but I guess I caught the bug.
Like I said, though, I was on and off for years. But I’ve been consistently on (3-4 runs a week) since this past January, which is a very long stretch for me. The reason I’ve been so successful this go-round: I joined a running club–best decision ever. It’s more like a social club that runs together. We meet for a 5k every Tuesday and then hang out at a local bar afterward. In addition to keeping me honest, I’ve also made some awesome new friends (no small feat when you’re fairly shy and work from home!) and gained a ton of confidence. I’m running my first 1/2 in October (in Newport, RI), my first 10-miler (Army) the following weekend, and my second 1/2 in November (Disney’s Wine and Dine in Epcot). If you asked me a year ago, I never would have thought I could handle all that, but now I’m pumped!
I’ve been meaning to comment on this post forever! My husband just got into running this year – a bunch of his friends signed up for the “Run For Your Lives” zombie 5k, and he decided to, too. He then did the couch to 5k podcast on the treadmill in the winter, and then started road-running in the summer. By the first weekend in May, they had their race, and they all did great! It’s really more like a mudder than a race, which they didn’t fully realize, and now they’re back to training for next year!
Meanwhile, I decided in mid-July to finally get down to business and do the couch to 5K program myself. I’ve downloaded it 5 years ago (!) and done week 1 over and over every year or so whenever I decided I needed to do something. I would get discouraged after the first or second horrible run, and then stop. I have stuck to it this time, and while I am still only on week 2, after repeating 1 for several weeks and 2 for a few more, I feel like I am making progress. I’m still intimidated by “actual runners”, but I live in a farm-y, semi-rural area, and so I can run by myself on back roads, and I love it. I love being outside with myself, and pushing a little harder each time.
Great post – I love hearing from people who keep fit, and what they do and why they do it. Especially if they keep it light and non-judgy in tone, which you did. :)
Fantastic advice! I’m an avid runner and it’s so hard (yet so important) to embrace whatever running is to YOU. I’ve run 5 marathons, 20+ half-marathons and was once pretty fast. And then I got injured (totally my fault – I never stretched and developed bad piriformis syndrome). Even after healing my injury through massage, chiropractic and lots of stretching, it took me forever to get back into running because I was so upset by running slowly or only running short distances. Well, I finally got over it, and after embracing what I most love about running – in my case, the solitude, the quiet and the release – and letting go of the rest, wouldn’t you know my pace and stamina have slowly improved. I’m still nowhere near where I once was, but it doesn’t matter to me, anymore, because I love my daily runs.
I am a recent reader of your blog and so just read this post today when you linked to it. I HAD to comment when I saw a Two Door Cinema Club song on your playlist. I run to several of their songs (on my “fast” playlist) and I wasn’t sure too many other people had even heard of them! “Cigarettes in the Theater,” “I Can Talk” and “Undercover Martyn” are great running songs, too.
I’m not sure if you’ve heard of this run, John, but I thought it might be of interest to you. It’s called The Glow Run (5k) happeneing in Richmond May 11, 2013. It’s like The Color Run except the colored powder glows in the dark. That’s kind of important since the race is at night! There aren’t any races near me but I thought I’d pass it on to you because neon seems right up your alley. Oh and they partner with a charity to give you the warm and fuzzies along with the runner’s high. http://www.glowrun5k.com to check it out.
Sounds cool! I’ll have to check it out.
-John