Runners Lounge

Handling running fatigue

Tomorrow’s Take It And Run Thursday is in reverse.  Instead of dropping off your thoughts on a topic, leave a question.   No question is too basic or too advanced for everyone to consider.  After all, we're runners--tenacious, resourceful, and helpful. You’ll have the collective wisdom and experience of dozens of runners.  Just leave what you’d like help answering.

My question: How do you battle fatigue? 

Remember when we first started running and what it was like to conquer the first distances?  When running a partial mile turned into a full mile, and then two miles gave way to three, four, and more miles?  Our bodies adapted to the fatigue and soreness and became capable of more mileage, faster paces, and easier recovery.

My mileage these days is a fraction of what I’ve been capable of for many years, and it feels like way too much effort and fatigue for what I’m accomplishing.  It feels like I'm running on flat tires.  Worse, it feels like I’m starting all over again. 

I'm not opposed to working hard at my running, and I suppose it’s healthy to re-experience the challenges of ramping up my running mileage and speed.  Maybe I'm still getting the kinks out from winter running and still carrying those winter pounds. But some of the occasional ease or cruising down the road and even the sensation of "floating" is missing.

Looking forward to the questions everyone drops off tomorrow and for any insight and tips on handling the fatigue of running.

Flat tire on flickr.com by timpgh

Warning! Cranky mom...coming through

Yesterday, one of my kids said something to this effect:

So I did.   

And afterwards?  My kids seemed a little bit cuter.  My husband seemed to be a better listener.  My dog didn't smell so bad.   My house seemed a little bit cleaner.  My to do list seemed a bit more manageable.  My tummy seemed a little smaller.  The weather didn't annoy me quite so much.  My Diet Coke was a bit more bubbly.   Work seemed almost tolerable.   My son's video games almost made sense.  The inside of my car didn't smell like dirty kid feet.  My unmowed lawn resembled a beautiful native prairie land instead of an untamed jungle.  Little Pony hair/makeup time didn't make me want to scream.   Someone mentioned I wasn't so grouchy.  Life was better.

Yep, life is good - if you run. 

You know the words to this song!   Join in and sing a verse of your own...

Tshirt on cafepress.com

The Best and Brief about Running

Whew!  There's been some pretty powerful thinking about running going on these days.

Thanks to everyone who contributed their running insights for Take It And Run Thursday.  Capturing running wisdom in a single statement and in 13 words is no small feat—most cryptic text messages are longer than that.

Runners shared several dozen gems of inspiration, common sense, coaching, and even some humor, so naturally we want to share them with you.  Each blogger's explaining comments are equally profound, so you'll want to enjoy reading the context for their insights.

Lou:  Ease your mind and let your body do the hard work for you.

Run At The Mouth:  How you spend your time tells the world just what you value.

Mike:  All a runner needs are a pair of shoes and somewhere to run...

Nat:  Power. Beauty. Strength.  To these I add the following 10: Courage, Determination, discipline, Communion, Solitude, Simplicity, Move, Be, Believe, Rest

John:  Please train smart, rest more often,  listen to your body, and race hard!

Kent:  Status quo is never enough. Keep pushing yourself to new goals and heights.

Oktree:  Runners are everyday people with a superhuman addiction to training, endorphins and life.

Rob:  Success in running is all about getting out the door

Kaeti: You may never simultaneously love and hate something more than running.

Irish Cream:  Somewhere, someone busier than you is training right now." (or something like that)

Coffee Betsy:  Don't overtrain. Just because you physically can doesn't mean you should. 

Eat Drink Run Woman:  Haiku 

23-mile run
Hot July air; the result?
Sweat stains on my boobs

Heather:  The hardest part of running is quieting the voice that says “I can’t.

K80K:  Few things in life will feel as long as 26.2 miles in 6:59:50.

Kara:  When the run gets tough, shorten my stride and look above the horizon.

Andi:  The difference between a runner and a jogger is a race entry form.

The Laminator:  The Secret to Running Success: Run Your Own Race and Know Your Limits.

Bryan:  Just get out there. Nobody says that they wish they hadn't run today.

Database Diva:  You can run through your problems, but not away from them.

David H:  Be smart. Listen to your body. It's always right.

Lori:  DO SOMETHING!!

Inspiration For Your Weekend Run

As we wind down another week in the Lounge, it wouldn't be complete without a shout out to our Boston Marathon finishers to round the salute in the early part of the week!   Qualifying for Boston is an accomplishment and finishing Boston is a dream for so many runners.   Lucky for us, our Lounger friends have taken time to share their story and recap the race.   I feel like I ran the race even though I wasn't there!

To be fair, I should warn you that these race reports are downright inspiring.  Even a pokey runner like me had the visions of Boston in her eyes after gorging myself on these race reports.  It made my afternoon run one of my fastest on record this year.

Here are a few:

Bill - A fantastic story of the Boston Marathon in two parts (Part I, Part 2).  The title, "The Privilege of Being a Runner" gives you a sense of the joy he is feeling

Nitmos - Warm up with his tales of a taco gone bad on his trip to Boston and then run along with him through a good first half and those dreaded cramps on the second

Reid - Titled, "I get my courage from the crowds" he shares his trip into Boston and how the crowd helped keep him going.  I know it is a little late, but, for what it is worth, I was yelling "Go Ax!" as I read the post.  And love the pictures! (And the pic of the medal - right).

Heather - One of the most moving race reports I have read.   I don't know if it was the story, her writing or the fact that I felt like I was right there at mile 24 when she writes, "I hate everything. I hate life. And I hate running most of all."  It's good to know it isn't just me that has those moments - even great runners have that fleeting thought.  But don't take that quote to mean Heather quit or didn't do a great job - she ran a wonderful race!

Dave Fleet - Watch his race report in his video version of his post.  My favorite part - outside of the race details - is how he explains that he wrote his name in marker on his arms and now he has an extra sun suvenior from the race.

And if you are still in need of inspiration, or the little nudge to remind you that your weekend run isn't that far, check out SLB's race report of the Leona 50 miler.  It's hard to wrap my head around running for more than 11 hours, on purpose.  :}

No wait...maybe 11 hours could be doable....I was just reminded that Paul Staso is taking off in a few days for his 620 mile run across Montana.  No biggee for him...he ran across the US with just a jogging stroller.   

Puts it all in perspective, no?

Take It and Run Thursday: In 13 words or less...

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday!

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

Today's theme is .... In 13 words or less..    

Share your best lesson you have learned about running.  And do it in 13 words or less.  Think of it as 13 word Thursday.   Just like every runner has a story, I know every runner has a lesson learned about running.  Some learned easier than others - but all helpful to share.

Just post your name and the title/topic of your post in the first spot and the link to your post in the second spot.     And then read and enjoy!

Next Week's Theme is ... Backwards Take It and Run Thursday.   Instead of posting wisdom, post a question you have about your running, training, racing, gear, hydration, etc that you need help answering.   Maybe you are looking for suggestions on the perfect hydration belt, a flat/fast fall marathon, a 10k training plan, or how to get rid of an ache/pain or injury - whatever it is, post it and tell others what you need help with.  And of course, next week - you can stop by and help others with their questions.

Click here for a list of great posts on running advice in 13 words or less.

Running Insights in 13 words.

This week we're limiting our Take It And Run Thursday to "13 Words About Running."  It's challenging and fun.  I bent the rules a bit by creating several different 13-word bytes.

Life's rewards begin with stopping what we’re doing and taking time to run.

When I meet a wonderful person, chances are good they are a runner.

Running allows us to experience the full life of mind, body, and spirit.

Please join us tomorrow and on drop off a 13-word nugget of wisdom.

Try Something New Today!

I am getting warmed up for the Take It and Run Thursday theme this week of 13 words of advice.... here it goes:

The secret to great running is to never stop trying.  Try something today!

Try something new.  Try something different.   Run a different course, plan to run a different race.  Run a new pace - slower or faster.  Run with someone different.  Run and walk.  Bike and then run.   

You will never know what you can do if you never try.   And what's the worst thing that can happen if you try?   I guarantee the result if you don't try is much worse.

Recognition for Boston Marathoners

With today’s running of the Boston Marathon, it’s hard to put into words the excitement, challenge, and sense of accomplishment the participants will feel.

I’ve had the privilege of running Boston and there’s nothing quite like it.  It oozes with tradition. Out of respect for the marathoners who will be telling their stories, I’ll leave the race details to them.  But here are perhaps a few lesser-known notes about the Boston Marathon.

Humble Transportation.  Like nervous school kids, the runners take a one-hour ride on school buses from Tremont Square to Hopkinton, for the start of the race.

Modest Start.  Hopkinton is a sleepy little New England town west of Boston where the race starts on a nondescript two-lane highway .  Nothing fancy.  Just steeped in marathon tradition.  See Scenes From the Starting Line.

Quiet Miles.  Believe it or not, there are stretches in the early miles where there are no spectators along the course.  It's just rural.

Waiting Grounds. The race honors the marathoners by staging an Athlete’s Village, which is the campus of the local high school converted into a tented community to relax and concentrate.

Another Tradition.  There is always a Red Sox game at Fenway Park on marathon day.  Texas plays at 10:30 this morning.

It’s a holiday. The Boston Marathon is run on Patriot’s Day, which is a state holiday in Massachusetts commemorating the ride of Paul Revere.

A Lonely Marathon for One.  The race director runs the marathon later in the day, alone, with no media, starting hours after the race has finished.

The Hills are Alive.  Most of us have heard about the Newton Hills and Heartbreak Hill.  But there is also a stretch known as “Hell’s Alley” around mile 15, which beats up the runner.

Once more on Hills.  If your heart goes out to runners on the grueling hills, put your heart in the right place.  The reality is running down hill hurts far worse than running up.  Why?  Because careening down hill means constantly braking with your legs.  On my Boston experience, I learned to dread the sight of a a downhill and welcomed a chance to run uphill.  Really.

Public Peeing is Outlawed. Signs by local residents implore runners not to urinate in their yards.  The town is crawling with wonderful volunteers, including cops, who won’t hesitate to fine you on the spot if caught.  You don't have to stop in mid-stream, but they record your race number, check the race registration list for your name, and mail you a nice fine.

A sign you can make it.  The gigantic CITGO sign is a huge emotional marker for runners as they approach downtown Boston, signaling they are within striking distance to make it to the finish on Boylston Street in Copley Square.

Enough background. 

Best wishes to all those running Boston today!

CITGO Sign on Flickr by Global Traveler 2007

 

A Tribute to Boston Marathoners

Tomorrow is a big day for the running community!  The 112th running of the prestigous Boston Marathon.   I wish I could say that it is on my list to run someday, but although I am a dreamer, I am a realist as well.   I know I could never meet the qualifying times - just not in my genes (3:45 for my gender/age) - even if the Boston folks recognized my Running Handicap calculator. 

And even though I won't experience it personally, it doesn't dampen my excitement for it as a runner.  I live in awe of runners who are able to qualify, race and compete at Boston.  It is the ordinary runners version of the Super Bowl.  But instead of one champ, thousands will emerge. Its a day that thousands of dreams are made - kinda like Disneyworld for runners.

Outside of TV, internet and newspaper reports, the closest I have been to running Boston was a Monday morning a few years ago when my phone at work rang Monday am as Tom waited at the line in preparation to take off for the race of his dreams.   He took a minute to share his excitement and let me take in the noises around him.  It was really cool!

And this year in the months leading up to Boston, Bill has been kind enough to take me along with him on his training.  This weekend when Art, Nancy and I did our long run, we made sure to run a few good miles for him.   We even did a couple pickup's trying to get to his normal race pace.  We laughed at ourselves because we could only hold it about 100 meters and just when we thought we were flying a little four year old on the trail went sailing by us.   I guess trying to run like Bill isn't as easy as he makes it look.

For all you Boston hopefuls, he is sharing his bib number (#2420) with all of us and allowing us to run along with him.   When the gun goes off on Monday, I guarantee that I will be there in spirit with him as he runs a great race.  As you settle into your Monday, send your best running vibes, energy reserves and well wishes to Boston for the next 24 hours!  Your fellow runners will appreciate it!

Open Mic Friday: Carol

We first met Carol (her profile name is coyotegirl) through her stories she submitted through the ExtraOrdinary Runners Awards - Saturday Morning Fever and Running For Two.   We enjoyed her stories and were interested to learn more about the person behind her running.   As you will read, she is a busy mom who is passionate about running with a goal to run a faster 5K (22 min) this year. 

What is your favorite run (a trail, a training run, a distance, an event, etc)?

I love trail running. I run with a group called the Wile E. Coyotes, we're the trail version of the Rockford Roadrunners. I just completed a grueling trail series that consisted of a 5k, 10k, 15k and 20k, one a month from December through March. We braved white-out snow storms, sub-zero temps, knee deep snow drifts, icy and muddy trails, creek crossings, stair climbs, rope climbs, and hills and more hills.

It was collectively the toughest challenge I've been crazy  enough to partake in. I loved every minute of it! I've never run a marathon, but the high I got from completing this series will be a tough one to top.

How do you find time to run?

I have a 7 year old, a 3 year old and a 11 month old. I have a graphic design business that I run from home. At home, life is minute by minute, bouncing between my "mommy" role and "graphic designer business woman". Sometimes I can pull it off, other times I realize, I'm not fooling anyone:o) Running helps me know how to laugh at myself, and not take everything so seriously.

My health club has wonderful childcare, so I just plan it into our day. It is my time. It is good for me, therefore good for my children. It is important to get that time apart so I can run off the stress, and regroup, so that when I am with them I can be in the moment and at my best. My little ones need their own time too, so it works out for the best. It is very hard to keep up with our life. When I am running I leave everything else at the door. I push myself hard, and find it very satisfying at the end of the run. Running keeps me healthy and sane. I feel strong, and healthy...I've never felt better. Thankfully, fitness is a priority for my husband too. He  is amazingly supportive. He really makes it possible for me to race. I was never an athlete until now! I love racing and pushing myself. My goal this year is to get a 22 minute 5k. I'll even take a 22:59! It will be hard work, but I'm determined to do it. My best at the end of last year's racing season was a 23:28. We shall see!

The stories you have submitted to RL are so interesting, do you write for a living? 

No, I'm not a writer. I figured out though, that good writing can come through me when I have something important to say.  I'm an artist. I am a mom and a graphic designer by day. I love making art, but don't have much time for it right now with three little ones at home. I believe that creativity is in me and will find it's way out of me whether I plan for it or not. It is fun to see the form it will take when I am not able to let it out in my usual ways.

What keeps you going? 

Passion. I am passionate about everything I do, which is a blessing and a curse. I love it though. I need to have one. If one of my passions gets shut down, a new one imerges.  It was art, but I can't do that right now. I always need to have something that is just mine. Something that challenges me. Something I can be proud of. Something I never thought I could do, or be good at. I just started running about 6 years ago and currently it is my passion. Running is my "thing"! It drives me. I push myself, surprise myself and I have a stronger self because I run.

Now that you won a free pair of shoes, we're curious - what's your favorite running shoe?

I love shoes. I've always loved shoes. I'm embarrassed to say, that the highest heals in my closet are currently training shoes. (and of course, the lowest...racing flats!) I have had a good run with my Asics Gel Cumulis, and Landreth.  Asics Trail Attack for trail running which is my new love.

How do you treat yourself after a good run?

My greatest treat after a run is laughing with friends. I have many great people that I run with. I love to have a cup of coffee after a morning run with my pals. We laugh at ourselves and eachother, we plan our next run and enjoy the great opportunity we've been given, TO RUN! I am grateful for every run.

What is your advice to other runners?

Have fun.

Take It and Run Thursday: Got Inspiration?

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday!

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

Today's theme is .... Got Inspiration? 

Share what inspires you!  It could be a story, a quote, a running memory, a friend or your own ambition.   Whatever it is, hang it out on a shingle and pass it along to your running friends.

Just post your name and the title/topic of your post in the first spot and the link to your post in the second spot.     And then read and enjoy!

Next Week's Theme is ... In 13 words or less..   Share your best lesson you have learned about running.  And do it in 13 words or less.  Think of it as 13 word Thursday.   Just like every runner has a story, I know every runner has a lesson learned about running.  Some learned easier than others - but all helpful to share.

Click here for a list of great posts on the topic of "Got Inspiration?"

My Hero - My Son

I want to introduce you to my current hero and my inspiration - my son.   About a year ago, I  noticed a big change in the way he ran and walk.  It didn't look like it was easy and was almost painful to watch.  Pretty soon, he began mentioning that it hurt to walk, hurt to run, hurt to stand.   Over last summer it got worse and worse.    Pretty soon his hips and back hurt too.   

We went to an pediatric orthopedic surgeon in late summer and found the flat feet he was born with wasn't something he was growing out of.  Instead, they were really flat and flexible.  His feet were so flexible, they "collapsed" with every step so he had aggravated the tendons in both feet and he had a heel cord (gastronimus muscle) that was too tight and his feet weren't striking the ground well.   

So we tried a couple sets of custom orthopedic inserts, and then lots of physical therapy to stretch and strengthen.  And then when his feet got worse, we alternated casts on each lower leg/foot to try to stretch the heel cord and quiet the tendons in the feet.   Still no luck.  We hit the final option - surgery.   Last month he got a bone graft (about 1 cm) added into his heel bone and had his tendon extended a few inches.

For him it meant a couple days in the hospital and now a few months on crutches before he can start using the foot again.  It meant the other foot has the tough job of supporting the healing foot 24x7.   

As a parent and runner, it was hard to make the decision and then to watch him go through the healing process.  I was worried how well my "baby" boy (ok, he is 8 now - not a baby) would handle it.  But you know what - he has been my inspiration.    He hasn't complained, our days haven't been filled with drama, he hasn't been impatient and asked "why me" or "is it over yet".  He hasn't tried to use the foot just to see if it is "ready yet".   Just because he misses soccer and Tae Kwan Do - he doesn't sneak out and try to do it.   When his friends head out for tag at recess, he doesn't get mad. 

He hasn't done all those silly things I do when I am injured.  Nope.  He has patiently worked through each treatment, looks forward to the day when his foot won't hurt and just works on getting better.   He has done a good job focusing on what he can do.  He works on getting faster and faster on crutches.  He can hop on one foot the entire length of our house.  And he can now balance almost 15 seconds on crutches only - no legs.  (Thanks for that tip Grandpa!)

He still has about 5 months of healing for the left foot and then he gets to do it again - on the right foot.   11 more months of healing and 11 more months of patience.   When we talk about life a year from now, he tells me he can't even imagine what life will be like when his feet don't hurt.  Up until a few months ago, he thought it was normal for feet to hurt when you walk and run. 

Through this last year, he has taught me patience.  He taught me many mental lessons about injuries and healing.  He reminds me that life is good, could always been worse, and each day it gets a little better.

And now when I head out for a run, I am now just thankful for the opportunity to be out there running. 

Running Opens New Doors

I don’t have a singular defining running motivator.

Sometimes I wish I did.  But at the same time, I’ve had a rich assortment of running experiences that add up to more moments of enjoyment accomplishment and satisfaction than most people ever experience.

As a kid anytime I was able to break away from the structure of home, school, and organized play, I was running.  Running in high school gave way to running in college, followed by a rewarding career coaching high school runners. 

Then came road racing.  I ran a full marathon before running my first half marathon.  Along came our three babies in five years, so I dropped out of the racing scene for more than a decade.  But I still ran.  Fast forward, the kids grew up, I skipped over two age-groups and returned to chasing a new set of middle age PRs.

I’m still running and new doors continue to open.  Running friends and strangers invite me into their running lives to figure out their training and injuries.  I’m dabbling in race directing and volunteering with local races.  And I’m still running.

Without a doubt, the richest running experience of all has been the privilege of sharing this blog with Amy, and co-hosting a meeting space at Runners’ Lounge for the on-line running community.  The double benefit of the blog and community is all the wonderful runners I've met and come to appreciate.

I've read that one of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats, and that has been what running has been for me.  Running has provided me physical capabilities that I never dreamed of possessing.  Plus there are countless internal gifts of mental strength, perseverance, self-discovery, and reduced stress.  Running enlarges my appreciation for others and deepens my belief in myself.  Running has been fun!

My running still hands me hard work, challenges, and frustration.  But its rewards far outweigh what running demands from me.  The ordinary act of running each day is more important to my soul than any non-runner could imagine.  And I know that while not every run is wonderful, I’m a better person because I’m a runner.

So what keeps me motivated?  That answer is easy.  It’s my next run!

Every next run holds possibilities.  My next run might burn the calories that bring me closer to my drivers license weight.  My next run might help me figure out how to balance work and home.  My next run might jar me away from my own self center to focus on a family member or friend who needs me.  Or my next run might contain some spiritual grace.  And without my next run, I might never know how close I am to a next success.

There is nothing certain about tomorrow, but as long as today holds the prospect of another run, I’m excited and inspired. 

My best shot at being happy is by running today and discovering what doors it will open.

Still have legs on flickr by Funkamunka

The Featured ExtraOrdinary Runner Story for April

When we started building Runners' Lounge a year ago, we didn't know everything there is to know about running. But we did hold one strong belief.  It was that every runner has a story.   We knew that it didn't matter if you have just started or have been running for 80 years, each and every runner has something to share that keeps them going or can be passed on to help another runner become stronger, better, or just not quit.  Or better yet, to start running.

We were pretty excited to launch the ExtraOrdinary Runner Awards a few months ago.  We knew it would be a great way to feature some of the great stories out there - just waiting to be told.  And we haven't been disappointed.  The runners that have stopped by and dropped off their stories of success, inspiration and support are great examples. There are more than a few that I have brought a tear to my eye.   And there is now a long mental list that shuffles through my head when I start getting mentally crabby on my long runs - they really keep me going.

For April, our Featured Story of the Month and the winner of a FREE pair of shoes from Onlineshoes.com is Carol's (aka CoyoteGirl) story, "Running For Two" in the Why I Run category.  Here is a bit about her story, but you need to read it to do justice to the entire story.  (Picture of Julie (left) and Carol (right).)

Carol (CoyoteGirl) shares her story of running for a friend Annie, who was dying of cancer, when she became unable to run for herself.  And after Annie's passing, she continued her tribute by running a race dedicated to Annie, her friends and family.   At the middle of the race, she knew Annie was with her as she stopped feeling tired and felt "lighter, energized, and refilled".   It is a great story to read and take along as a midrun energy gel for your next run.

And if you need more food for the brain for your next run, take a few moments to check out other great stories in the ExtraOrdinary Runner Award section.   You may have already read the first seven stories we told you about in Febraury.  Here are highlights of a few new ones I know you will enjoy:

From the Beginning Running section, read "Pushing Through" by domobatiq who used running to help her recovery from a surgery.

From the Charity, Communication category, be sure to check out marcigee's story titled, "This is Why I Run Marathons".   She tells about her experience running money for "Fred's Team" to raise Pediatric Cancer Research. 

glpaxton's story, "Fat Running and My New Cause" is a great story about his weight loss, taking on a marathon, and now running for juvenille diabetes for his daughter. 

alsligh's story, "The SMALL reason I keep running" will touch your heart.  Her story about her daughters race will put a smile on your face.

runatthemouth's story, "It's what I do" is a great story about coming back to running after a brain hemmorage.

Thank you to all Loungers who have submitted stories!   Take a moment to read them, drop off a comment and piece of encouragement as a form of thanks!   

And keep 'em coming!  I know what you will do for a free Tshirt . :}  Share those stories you are creating - one of them could be worth a free pair of shoes.

 

Why I Run

This weekend, I had a few open minutes to take a leisurely stroll through the blogosphere and  stop by and listen to why people run. 

Ahhh...its like a much needed massage for the brain.

There was more than once that I had to stop and jot down something from a post of another runner because it so perfectly captured my feelings about running too.   Here are a few for you to stop by and enjoy as well:

I found this image (right) I just had to share.  The picture of the word "Run" in shoes is from Suzie Petunia's recent post on her philosophy of life.  Great post from a great blog!

If you have ever been tempted to write - Why I Hate Running and I can't stop - here is a sample, then you must stop by and read this recent post by Healthy and Simple. 

So why did I go running? Well, quite honestly I’d run out of excuses not to go. With the arrival of daylight savings time and spring I could no longer argue that it was too dark, too wet or too cold. So the only remaining excuse was I was too lazy, and the only way to prove I wasn’t was to hit the road.

And Tek wrote a great post about Why I need to run sorta and summarized the "why" behind running as:

Yesterday someone I know who "doesn't get the running thing" asked me: do you feel stronger when you run? I realized, yes I do. when I finish a run I feel like I have accomplished something big - even a little run feels fulfilling.

And Footfeathers who is training for an ultra added this from his recent post:

The waves of pain break you down, and you're left with the choice to rebuild and continue or quit. The layers of junk from daily life are stripped away. It's pure and raw. You find out a lot about yourself, probably more than you ever imagined.

Owocki laid down a few sentences that capture the essence of why I run:

I don’t know that I have the right vocabulary to describe the feeling that hits you at or around the 5th mile of a run.  It’s somewhere between proud, exhausted, with a hint of clairvoyance and focus too. It’s just.. worth it. Trust me.

And this image is from a blog of a cross country runner, trainlikehell, who recently posted a great (adapted) article of why she runs.   The image is the header of his blog - and it was too good not to share.

While I was visiting this weekend, I found the list from Erin, a runner, as she tells others 100 things about herself.   You will notice more than a few are about running.   It inspired me to start a thread for the Lounge to capture 100 reasons Loungers run.  Would you do me a favor and stop by and leave your "why" today?   I think it will be a great way to share why we get out there and do what we do.

I want to be a runner

You heard me right.  Even though I am a runner, I still carry with me every day the desire to be a runner.  Since starting running decades ago, my desire to be a runner never has never died.

My desire to be a runner doesn’t stem from still trying to achieve an unmet race time, or weight or body shape.  That’s the land of regret and I don’t go there.

Instead, my desire to be a runner comes from the activity and the joy of running—sometimes sluggishly, sometimes spectacularly, but most times ordinarily, and that’s just fine with me.

Amy and I have gone on record saying that the only thing we enjoy more than running is the wonderful people running connects us to.  To us, there are two types of people—those who are runners, and the less fortunate rest of the population. Yes, we’re biased.

We regularly hear that a favorite feature on the Runners’ Lounge home page is the “Why I Run” space.  It changes with every click and offers some inspiring reasons that explain why runners run.  Makes me wish I’d said them myself.  Below are some of the reasons you’ll find.

Notice how many reasons we have in common and how some are so unique.  Go ahead and click on them and discover the runner behind the reason.  And then introduce yourself and leave ‘em a comment. 

to see things from a different perspective

it keeps me sane and healthy

It clears my mind and makes me feel strong

To get in shape and have some "Me Time"

I used to be competitive, but now it's for fun!

I want to watch my children grow up & I love M&Ms!

Peace, clarity, strength and balance

for the love of it

To be strong and fit, to be a runner.

It's Like Free Therapy, Homies!

To explore what I'm fully capable of

It empowers me and makes me strong

No better feeling than completing a good run!

love the way it makes me feel!

I love the feeling of accomplishment!

Fun, Fitness, and Friends

Because I can ...

The reasons are endless, and we hope you're still discovering and expressing why you run.

This is Inspiration Week at Runners’ Lounge

We’re excited to learn about what inspires and motivates you, and we expect we’ll all pick up some deep inspiration from each other.  Also, on Tuesday, the winner of free running shoes will be named for that runner whose story was submitted for an Extraordinary Running award.

Keep up your good running!

Look Back at Highlights of TIART: Training Plans

The guest for Open Mic Friday couldn't join us today, but the feature will return next week.

Yesterday’s Take It and run Thursday was rich with advice on training plans.  Thank you to everyone who participated on the topic and also to those who read and connected with others.

The posts were filled with some great wisdom, including some good commentary on the FIRST program.  I just wanted to point out some highlights in the event you didn’t read them all yet.

• There’s still more work as a group of blogging runners that we can do to help Laura to write her training plan

• SLB does a great job of discussing his training mistakes

• You’ve got to check out Betsy and her promiscuity with training plans.  What a well-written post!

• Doug has lived on the edge and he’s building his plans around not overdoing it.

• Coffee Betsy might have nailed one of the greatest lessons to be learned—that achieving the purpose of the run—recovery, long, speed, etc. is the key to optimizing the training plan.

• You might stop by and wish luck to Shelah and Steve (a very fast runner) who are counting down to their marathons.

Finally, please know that there are some wonderful bloggers for whom we can't leave a comment without joining your social network.  Everyone is entitled to their choice of blog tools, and some highly interesting and insightful bloggers probably have no idea how much we enjoy your posts and want to leave comments.  We still have the option to join your network some day, but until we do, we get blocked and can't leave our appreciation and encouragement for you.  Just know we read and admire you too.

Take It and Run Thursday: Training Plans

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday!

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

Today's theme is .... Training Plans. 

This is a broad one and there is a lot of good information to share.   Do you have a favorite training plan that works consistently for you?  Do you use a tool to map and share your favorite routes?  Do you have a tool or log that you use to plan and track your results?   Share it all.  This is the time of year when we are all fishing for the perfect plan to help you finish your race. 

Just post your name and the title/topic of your post in the first spot and the link to your post in the second spot.     And then read and enjoy!

Next Week's Theme is ... Got Inspiration?   We are pretty excited to announce our monthly winner of our Extraordinary Runner Award next Wednesday.   Reading all the great stories from the Loungers about why they run and what they have accomplished have really inspired us.  We want to keep the momentum going by having you share what inspires you.  It could be a story, a quote, a running memory, a friend or your own ambition.   Whatever it is, hang it out on a shingle on Take It and Run Thursday next week and pass it along to your running friends.

Click here for a list of great posts on the topic of Training Plans.

Right or Wrong - The Reality Training Plan

Here is what I know about training...

There are lots of right ways to train for a race.   

The right way to train generally doesn't take much more time than to train the wrong way.   Its all about how you use your time.

Overall - cramming is really bad for your running.  It leads to injury.

Training should be balanced.

The other thing I know about training and racing is sometimes my family gets fed up with the whole "training schedule".   Don't get me wrong - they are everlasting supportive!  I couldn't do what I do without their help.  But sometimes, just sometimes, we reach the point where "yet another" training run squeezed in here or there starts to cross the line.   I can feel the patience levels dipping to all time lows.  And that seems to be the exact time when I find another race that I am just dying to do.   So, now and then, I must admit, that I turn to my Reality Training Plan.

It is a training plan that is so bare bones it is on the verge of down right wrong.  But it works well for me to sneak in my runs here or sandwich them there so there is no (or very little) disruption to the family routine.   I have made it so easy that I can carry it in my head and it can be easily plotted on the family calendar (mentally).

Here's my "Reality Training Plan" for a week:

A short run - 2-3 miles - at a damn good pace - usually sandwiched in a 20-25 minute open space because I snuck out of work 10 minutes early so I could run and still be home at an agreed upon time.  Oh yeah - and a little fast driving to make up a few minutes lost changing clothes.

A medium run - 3-5 miles - moderate pace - borrowing 20-30 minutes from work and scheduling this one in one open late afternoon/evening on the family calendar on a night where there are no school, family or community activities that require my presence.

A long run - 5-13 miles (depending on the upcoming race) - a slower pace but I am usually paying for every minute away - alternating "short" long runs and "long" long runs to keep peace and patience of my family on the weekend.   I pull out all the stops on this one and line up a babysitter most of the time.  It's too hard to navigate our weekend calendar without the help of my trusty teenage babysitter.

I also try to squeeze in a short walk over lunch, my stretching while making dinner and general-can't-live-without strengthening exercises for my hips/legs whenever I can.

I am not saying this is the right way to train.  But it does get me to the finish line - which makes me happy.  And there is nothing better than a happy runner.  Just ask my family. :}

Lots and Lots of Training Plan Stuff

The theme of the week for Take It and Run Thursday is Training Plans.   It is a broad topic that includes the plans we use to train for our favorite races as well as training plan "tools".   

When I sat down to write a few words about training plans, I realized that I can't point to just one book, article, link or tool that I have used to make my training plans.  There are hundreds of pieces of information and a thousand lessons learned that are the building blocks behind the training plans I use today.  Now with many runs and TRI's of various distance under my belt I feel really confident that I can create a training plan for any event at any time.   

But it wasn't always that way - in the first 10 years I read alot of books, magazines, blogs, and borrowed alot of plans.   And then I tinkered with the plans to get my training just right - one that fit into my schedule, didn't kill me and had an interesting mix of running.   Today, I am still a student of training plans and always trying to squeeze a bit more out of a diminishing amount of available time.

Here are some of my favorite books that were part of my "early education".  Most of these suggested by Tom over the years for a solution to any number of my training plan issues:

Run Fast. How to Beat Your Best Time.  Hal Higdon—for 5k and 10k

Alberto Salazar’s Guide to Road Racing: Championship Advice for Faster times from 5k to Marathon.

Daniel’s Running Formula. Jack Daniels. Considered the world’s greatest running coach.  Teaches you the different types of training—interval, repeat, lactate threshold, pace workouts.  Also explains how to build your own plans around your abilities and priorities.

The Runners Book of Training Secrets. Ken Sparks.

The Competitive Runner’s Handbook. Bob Glover and Shelly-Lynn Glover.  Has programs for Novice Compeititor, Basic Competitor, Advanced Competitor, and Local Champion for 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon.

Outside of the plan, my next biggest challenge is mapping routes that fit my schedule and keep me interested and entertained.  I have really enjoyed the mapping features with my Nike iPod on the Nikeplus site.   Its handy to use when I am in a hurry and already at the site looking at my last few runs.

I have also used other running map sites - here are a few of my favorites:

MapMyRun.com

FavoriteRun.com

USATF Running Routes

Google Maps (gmaps-pedometer)

Run.com

I am really looking forward to your posts tomorrow and the resources and plans you use to create your training plans.   If you have plans or training tips/resources to share, please take a few minutes to stop by the Running Know How section in Runners' Lounge (www.runnerslounge.com) and add some advice.   

More Sleep = Better Running & Fewer Midnight Cravings

A strange thing happened to me recently…I got a full night’s sleep!

For months now I’ve been staying up later and later.  The reasons aren’t important, but the outcome has been noticeable.  Burning the midnight oil has left me chronically tired and most days without the energy level to run as consistently as I’m used to.

Another outcome of my late nights and less sleep is weight gain. It’s been puzzling and frustrating how I haven’t been able to shed the pounds.  It wasn’t until talking with a friend, a non-runner who has 70+ pounds to lose, that I put it all together.  The friend is working closely with his doctor who says step number one in successful weight loss—even before calorie counting and smaller serving portions—is getting adequate sleep.  He cites two reasons:

• Without enough sleep the brain will not let the body devote the required energy to exercise, so the desire and the capability to increase calorie burn is just not there.

• Inadequate sleep produces poor judgment around eating.  The brain just doesn’t do its job managing our cravings, including informing the stomach we’re not hungry.

This is me to a T! 

When I’m well rested, I can resist calorie-stoked temptations.   When I’m up late, the refrigerator and the cupboard doors swing open magically and beckon me to graze on snacks and leftovers.  I cave in like Cheetos are a god.  So for nearly every night in the last six months I’ve eaten a fourth meal, and generally with no nutritional value and empty calories.

For those who need some scientific basis for all this, here’s the scoop.  Inadequate sleep:

• interferes with the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates and causes high blood levels of glucose, which leads to higher insulin levels and greater body-fat storage.
• drives down leptin levels, which causes the body to crave carbohydrates.
• reduces levels of growth hormone, a protein that helps regulate the body's proportions of fat and muscle.

So my experiment these days—I’m always tweaking something with my running—is start an early-to-bed habit.  It’s easy to say, but tough to turn in when I still have favorite blogs to read and posts to write, which I tend to enjoy later in the evening. 

There's no shortage of material and research connecting sleep with weight loss, and here's an interesting piece on how to sleep like an Olympian.

But in the short time I’m getting to bed earlier, I’m finding that energy to run and no more piling on hundreds of calories at midnight!

Better Sleep sign on Flickr by Sodapopper

Tshirts Have Taken Over My Closet

On the chore list this weekend was the dreaded task of switching over the kids closet from winter to spring/summer clothes.  They are both still young (4 and 8) so they grow out of clothes overnight and with the change of season they need different, bigger stuff .

Feeling inspired, after I finished their closets, I turned to mine.   My Tshirt shelf had taken on a life of its own.  At some point in the last year or so, my TShirt collection exploded!  It seems like I don't run that many races.  Really.  If you had asked me if I had run much in the last 12 months, I would say, "Heck, no! I Really need to get out there more!"   But my closet held the truth.  In the last few years, I have racked up over thirty TShirts!   I couldn't believe it.   As I pulled the shirts out of the out of control shelf, it was like clowns coming out of a circus car act.  How in the world could that many shirts fit in one shelf?!? 

As I sorted through them, I remember a conversation my husband and I about 10 years back.  We were lamenting that we just didn't have enough Tshirts.  In fact, we went to a store to buy some.  Today, I found out that I have only 2 TShirts that aren't race shirts and the other almost fifty were from some race - some I barely remember.   You could tell the ones I am really proud of because they are well worn, have stains from the kids, and still have residual stink from runs.   I don't think even Fitzfabulous solution to making Tshirts more presentable would fix them.

If an archeologist studied my household a million years from now, he would be able to piece together in detail my schedule for at least the last ten years just based on my tshirt collection alone.  I am a rather predictable runner.  I knew I had my favorite races, but it was seeing them lined up year after year that it hit me how many times I had done the cycle of my races.

The good news is that I have enough raw materials for at least 4 more TShirt quilts - or one big one like Running Around in CT. Soon everyone in the family can have one and not fight over my current one.  It seems like a good solution since I don't think I am ready to use them to fill up holes in my yard as this Run The Planet article suggests.  And I don't think I will be near Barney's for their Tshirt recycling program (partnership with Loomstate) between April 13 and the 27th (but it is a cool idea - check it out!)

As I finished my final chores restocking, reorganizing, and restacking the clothes in our closets, I really appreciated my trip down memory lane and the chance to remember so many good runs, runs with friends, finish lines, and cold beers in celebration.   It was a nice little pick me up for my chores and my running.   Now its time to get busy and earn some more shirts!