Runners Lounge

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

Thanks Nancy!

Yesterday, I was a bit grumbly and feeling somewhat sorry for myself.  Earlier in the week, I had a great plan to take Friday off, get my 7-9 miles in for the Virtual 9 on the 9th and then still have time to get some errands and neglected house chores crossed off my list.   But instead of that great plan, I found myself Friday morning elbow and knee deep into regular work stuff.  Work that was a wonderful yet required a horrible amount of high level of brain power that droned on for 5 hours.   5 hours of hard work on my day off!  There is nothing worse than that.  So by noon on Friday, I was sad.  I could feel my run slipping through my fingers as each minute on the clock ticked away.  This weekend has no time or opportunity for a run - I was going to be out of luck.

Feeling discouraged, I took a quick "lunch break" of feeling-sorry-for-me-food of Pringle crumbs, Doritoes and Diet Coke, I went back and read Bob's interview where he talked about the worst thing about running was missing a run.  "Amen!", I yelled.   Then I read back a bit further to Betsy's post last Friday on making time for yourself.  "Humpf."  I thought - she's so right.

And then I sent Nancy an email asking if she was going to get in her 9 miles.  I mean, she's been sick, just started running again this week, and she is just as busy.   Here was her reply, "I did 9 today.  Very slowly but covered the miles while watching a movie."   A great feeling of awe and inspiration washed over me.   She did 9 miles on a treadmill.   What the hell is my problem!

I sent her a quick note back telling her how she was my hero, shut down my computer and phone, grabbed my iPod and hit the door.   It did about 8 miles - which is about what I wanted to do.   It wasn't my best run, but by far had been my best decision that week.   The feeling of getting my priorities right.  The joy of getting that run complete in my only open window, and of course, just the ability of being able to run those miles comfortably gave me a happy feeling that carried me through the rest of my day.   

When I got home from the run, I walked around our trails to finish the last mile.   From a time perspective, that was probably my slowest, most drawn out run - but it was so lovely. 

So, Nancy, you may not always bring us the best weather for these races, but I am so glad you give us a reason and inspiration.

Thanks Nancy!  You are my SUPER hero!

In Praise of Running Plans

Tuesday posts are focused on back-to-the-basics of running for beginners and experienced runners.

People with a plan do better than people without a plan

I’ve fumbled through January, getting in my runs here and there, missing or falling short on more runs than I care to admit.  Looking ahead, I’m reminded of the usefulness of creating and following a plan for my running. 

Whether we call it a running plan or training plan doesn’t matter.  Makes no difference whether we design the plan ourselves or take it straight from a web site or book. The point is a good plan is worth its weight in gold—or Gu packs, or doughnuts, or pizza.

During marathon season, I map out a 16–18 week schedule detailing my training to include the right blend of easy, speed, pace, and long runs.   When not training for a race, I usually get good results planning 3–4 weeks out, even if most of my running is low mileage and slow.  The point is not having it all right and perfect with the certainty of a TV evangelist.  Instead, a plan gives me a road map to where I’m heading.

I’ve learned the hard way about being a slave to a running plan.  Following a running plan too rigidly feels more like boot camp and can wind up getting us injured, disinterested, and without enjoyment and satisfaction.  Instead, I’ve identified a few advantages to using a plan to guide our running.

A plan motivates me to take action.  Even when the conditions are imperfect, my plan cajoles me to get out there and accomplish something for me.

A plan shows possibilities.  Reviewing a plan reveals when to ramp up, back down, rest, peak, cross train, taper, race, and not race.  A plan captures my best applied thinking about what I know about running and training well.

It’s an agreement with yourself. Training plans aren’t binding.  But a good running plan reminds me I have this partnership with myself and helps me hold up my end of the deal.

A plan is like a running partner but without the sweaty smell.  It increases the likelihood I’ll get in the running that I planned when I planned it.  A good running plan helps us prioritize and make the best use of our limited time.

Takes the mystery out of day-to-day planning.  Without a plan, I’m scratching my head each day wondering what to run.  This by-the-seat-of-my-pants planning and wondering often leads to repeating the same-old-same-old or even procrastinating my running.

Gives me purpose and milestones. With a running plan, the stage is set to accomplishing something.   Without a plan running my goals are good intentions wrapped in vapor.  I find my running plan sets the stage for improvement.   It’s how the good stuff builds on the good stuff.

Finally, a running plan gives me something to cheat on.  You can’t play hooky from school on Saturday.  Similarly, not running when there isn’t a planned run isn’t nearly as fun.  The greatest escapes start with a plan.

Don’t get me wrong, I love spontaneity in running.  Just like a friend who drops by unexpected or a weekend afternoon that turns into a nap, some of the best runs are not planned.  Those are gems, but we can’t count on them.  So a running plan gives us more predictability about our running.

There have been plenty of stretches in my running life when I’ve wandered care free and without a plan for my running.  Those have a time and a place too.  But consistently and predictably I’ve learned the timeless lesson...

...that those who have a plan do better than those who don’t have a plan.

Plan on Flickr by PibeFision

Planning book on Flicker by wsox23 

50 ways to find time to run (well, almost)

Am I the only one still having a hard time finding time to run?  The holidays are over...way over.  No excuse there anymore.  We have pushed past the really cold, really dark part of winter.  Can't count that as a reason.   But work and home is very busy.  Very, very busy.  Over-the-top crazy.   It always seem very difficult to squeeze one in.

But, still, come on Amy, enough.   The run isn't asking for hours a day.  30 minutes would do just fine.   Out of the 1440 minutes in a day, the run just needs 30 of them, which is a measly 2% sliver of your entire time for each God given day.   Certainly you can these few minutes.

As I was pondering the math and my dilemna, Paul Simon came on the radio singing "50 ways to leave your lover..."    And it that moment, I found myself singing along to one of my most favorite songs in the world, but with a renewed mission.   To leave the excuses and to find 50 ways to find time to run.

You know, good ole Paul had some of them already figured out with a few of the original lyrics with the classic Just slip out the back Jack , Make a new plan Stan, and Just get yourself free.

I think I will count them as three of my fifty ways, and here are a few I came up with:

4.   Cut back on a few of those long hour + meetings and take the time saved to run on the way home from work.

5.  Schedule, schedule, schedule.   A bit more mamba action in front of the family calendar to find the chunk of time.  It isn't going to happen if it isn't scheduled.

6.  Break down and get the babysitter.  Time to bring in the reinforcements again.  Babysitters aren't just for the few times we head out each year, they are just as useful in watching kids to go for a much needed run.

7.  The treadmill.   It's right there in the basement.  Safe, well lit, warm and always ready.  Time to break down and use it some more.  Only 5 weeks until the time change.

8.  Wake up call.  Set the alarm 32 minutes early, have your clothes ready and run downstairs to get in your run.   You will appreciate they day so much more if you have one under your belt.   And what is 32 minutes - its not going to be the difference of a good and bad nights sleep for you.

9  End of the day wrap up.  What a better way to have some time to pull together your thoughts than a nice gentle run at the end of the day.  Yes, I know you are tired and just want to sit, but a run can be more relaxing than couch time.

10.  Give yourself a reason.  Instead of treating it as a luxurious use of time, make it a requirement.   Call a few friends and commit to a time you will meet them to run and then follow through.

11.  Adjust, go with the flow.  On the days when 30 minutes won't work, then try for 25, 20, 15, heck - even 10.   It is better to get out and move a little than none at all. 

12.  Lunchtime.   With an hour lunch, you could do 30 minutes run and still be cleaned up and back at it in an hour.  Yes, it may be a pain - but which is more painful?

13.  Really desparate solution.  If you have a shorter lunch or find yourself with 30 minutes free at work, walk and work.   Do a walking meeting or a walk at lunch.  Just keep moving.

14.  Find a few more races.  Outside of the races you normally do, add a few more on your calendar.  Not only will you be more commited to train and stick to your runs, but on race day, you know you will show up and get some miles in. 

15.  Pay yourself to run.  Give yourself a dollar for every mile you run either literally or on paper.  Save the dollars for some running gadget or gear thing that you are really looking forward to.

Ok...by the time I got to 15 in my head, the song was over.   And so was my list.  Anyone have any really good ways they find time and motivate themselves to make time to run?

Photo on Flickr by Kris Kros

Ahhh, the Gift of a Book About Running

I’m a running book junkie. 

Dozens of volumes on my shelves have enriched my running.   So when Amy started talking Holiday Wish Lists for runners, I thought I’d throw out some titles that would be great literary partners for anyone to more fully enjoy and improve their running.

The Competitive Runner’s Handbook.  Like a colossal how-to reference a plumber would keep in his truck, this is a true users manual.  It covers everything for the beginner to the advanced, every distance, including great training programs, racing techniques, injuries, nutrition—it’s got it all.  If you want to better talk about running, this one is a must.

How Running Changed My Life.  Hand me a tissue.  We'd expect and love to hear these stories on Oprah. Powerful short stories by ordinary runners that speak from their hearts about how running has and continues to transform them.  It's regularly on my night stand.

Running Within: A Guide to Mastering the Body-Mind-Spirit Connection For Ultimate Training and Racing.   The Joy of Sex of running.  A great guide to the stuff not found in most running books—relaxing, being courageous, dealing with fatigue, dealing with your mental game.

Run Right Now: What a Half-Century on the Run has Taught.   If you don't have a running mentor, at least own this book. Compiled with wisdom that will save you from making unnecessary mistakes.  You’ll want to try several dozen new approaches to increase your enjoyment and success with your running.

The Cutting-Edge Runner.   Iran could probably build a nuclear bomb—or a better one—with this book.   Written with some of the latest science in mind for improving running performance by one of the best running writers.  I don’t want my competitors reading this book.

Complete Book of Beginning Running.  Remember the Betty Crocker Cookbook your mom had in her kitchen?  This is it for running.  Not just for beginners. Either you already know everything in this book or you better own it.  Thorough, inspirational, and will help you get the most out of running.  You would want your beginning running friends to own this.

Daniel’s Running Formula.  Like a money guru who will help you take $1,000 and predictably invest it to earn $100,000.   Contains arguably the best explanations of the principles of training, types of workouts, a systematic guide to training at the right intensity, and how to put together your own training plans.  I wouldn't attempt a serious running goal or start a new competitive season without it.

Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running.  Yup. I do own this book, although it's always out on loan.

What other titles do you suggest Amy and I add to our Wish Lists?

A Runner On The Edge

My body and mind operate normally as long as I don't go more than 3 days between runs.  Last week, I hit my internal "red line" and then pushed the needle past the safe zone - I racked up 5 days with not a single step. This was a very tricky situation.  My runs serve as a release valve to balance the demands of everyday life.  They keep the "junk in my trunk" from builidng up to dangerous levels.  The junk is made up of a little stress, a little clutter of many demands/priorities, and too little time of dreaming/thinking about nothing.  Without my runs, this junk becomes almost toxic and takes a toll on my body and mind. 

By Day 4, I couldn't think straight and certainly wasn't up to do the work that I am paid to do.  My brain was not firing on all pistons.  Just like in Tom mentioned in his post, I needed some running time to get some work done. Between runs, it feels like a bolt in my brain slowly unscrews itself until my neurons are no longer in contact.  I end up with a screw loose.  Everything feels harder and takes longer. My coworkers see that there are no lights on and speak in soft, reassuring tones, use small words, with lots of gestures.  I stare back like an untrained monkey.  If feel a little like Bill's post about being possessed during his taper.

Oh yeah and I am GCRAMBY.  That is a mix between grumpy and crabby - just down right unpleasant.  Poor Tom foolishly tried to enter my office to ask a reasonable question and was met by a beastlike creature resembling me.  I did fire a warning shot to let him and anyone in ear shot now that I am a runner on the edge.   My tiny patience reserve was bone dry, my emphathy to others' problems were exhausted. My gas tank was in serious need of a refill and there isn't a run anywhere in sight.  Marcy and Nancy - I don't know how you you manage without getting in the runs you want.  Rob - you are my hero for getting through weeks and staying positive with your cross training.

On Day 5, a normal trip to the grocery store took 6 hours.  I was dumber than a box of rocks and spent 3 hours wondering through the same aisles because I can't remember why I am there and another 3 hours picking out ingredients for dinner- Do Doritoes and Little Debbie Cakes fulfill the food pyramid?  All the while becoming GCRAMBY-ier.  Small children moved to the side and hid behind their moms.  Other parents point and whispered and moved swiftly out of my way.   Other runners passed me and silently nod in sympathy, there is nothing sadder than a fellow runner who can't find time to run.

Finally, at the end of Day 6, I couldn't take it anymore.  Those work projects that really needed to be done before I went home - shelved.   The errands for home that should have been done a few days ago - on hold.  At 4:05, I hit the trails for a 4 mile run which is my most theraputic distance.  It's just long enough to get the "junk out of my trunk", return order to my thoughts, and feel like I can breath deep again.  My body was in complete control from the first step.  My mind came along for the ride and was so relieved to be out there wandering aimlessly.  When I was done, it was like someone hit the "re-set" button.   

Whew.  I feel back to normal.  Thank goodness I can run!

Photo of sign by jefka

Photo of sign by zephyrbunny

 

I traded the kids for a handful of magic beans

Ok, not really.  But I do have 3 days without kids!  Our schedules reached a new level of insanity.  No amount of calendar mamba-ing would dance me out of this mess. My parents agreed to take the kids for a few days to get over this hump.  When I met them for the drop off, there was my mom, with a bag of green beans and peas fresh out of the garden (and a smile), saying "trade ya'".    Best deal I made in a while!

I love my kids dearly - but am looking forward to a few days where I just need to keep track of me.  I can work when I need to and can rrrrruuuuuunnnnnn anytime I want!  Yippee!

When I got home from work and class last night, there waiting in my garage was my bike.  All aired up, cleaned up and ready to ride - thanks honey!   It was like seeing an old friend.  Me and bike (his name is Tiger) are going to have an intense, yet short affair over the next few days and log some miles.    I can't wait!

Now, if I could just trade the "magic beans" for some cool weather and a few hundred percent lower humidity...

Confessions of a Former Streaker

Nope.  Not the type of streaker made popular in the 70s and 80s.

I must admit, there have been periods in my running life when I challenged myself to achieve a running streak.  I’ve run too many damaging consecutive days, probably too long in a particular pair of shoes.  Sniff.    My most noteworthy (to me) running streak was running for about 3 years while only taking off one day per week.  But I’ve come to my senses, and my streaking days are over.

My extended running pales compared to the top streakers.  How do I know?  Because there is the United States Running Streak Association, which is organized to recognize the hard corest of steakers.   The USRSA defines a streak.    

• A running streak is defined by USRSA as running at least one continuous mile within each calendar day under one's own body power (without the utilization of any type of health or mechanical aid other than prosthetic devices).
• Running under one's own power can occur on either the roads, a track, over hill and dale, or on a treadmill. Running cannot occur through the use of canes, crutches or banisters, or reliance on pools or aquatic devices to create artificial buoyancy.
• Ownership of a running streak, either active or retired, entitles you to a USRSA membership.  Once that streak reaches a year in duration, you then qualify for USRSA listing of your streak.

A few highlights from the prestigious list of streakers are:

Mark Covert, the current holder of the longest running streak.   Covert, 56, as of June 1st, 2007, has been running 14,193 days, which for curious math gurus is 38 years, 313 days.

Margaret Blackstock, 62, owns the longest streak for women, at 10,128 days (27 years 266 days).  She is 41st on the all-time list.

One of the top streakers, #19, is from our community.  John Liepa, 62, and a professor at a local community college, has been running every day since January 02, 1977.  That’s 11,108 days  or 30 years 151 days! 

There are new streakers on the horizon too.   Adam Lentz started his streak on April 20, 2007 and has his sites set on a streak.  We wonder how he’s coming along?

There are also niche streakers. Perry Romanowski, from Chicago, an endurance joggler (a juggler-runner), who has been joggling marathons since 1996.   He’s on a quest to joggle 44 marathons.  I’ve seen Perry joggle several times while running the Chicago Marathon, and he makes the rest of us non-juggling marathoners wonder how.

It's great to see all this running going on, and record keeping, and documenting, and submitting, and certifying.  Whew!  It's tiring just thinking about it.

So now I'm beginning to wonder what other types of running streaks some are chasing? 

Are you a streaker?

Photo on Flickr by seattletim

The Courses We Run

John Bingham, known by many as “The Penguin,” once described his start with running.  He’d just finished his first run, and while he only ran a few blocks, he got home, climbed into his car and drove the course to measure how far he ran.

As runners, most of us have measured “our courses.”  We use the car odometer because we want to know how far our running takes us.  But more than the distance, we also like to know some markers along the courses we run. 

Starting my fall marathon training, I’m going to soon be revisiting some favorite courses in my community.   The true measure of these courses is not the distance I cover, but how they are familiar and personal to me.  I know the sidewalks and roads of my courses intimately, which is why I’ve given them names. 

Many runners have points along their courses that indicate mile markers.  But my markers are not buildings or street intersections.  My course markers are unusual.  They are fences, fire hydrants, and driveway cracks.  They are manhole covers, parking meters, and a DQ Sign.  My favorite marker is a hedge of roses.  I inhale its fragrance when I pass it, and still appreciate it when it’s bare and snow covered.

Tomorrow my long run will reunite me with an old friend of a course, one that passes through unique, friendly neighborhoods, and I’m already looking forward to getting re-acquainted with it. 

I just hope certain homeowners haven't repaired the cracks in their driveways.

Photo of odometer  on Flickr by The Cat 16
Photo of fence on Google Images
Photo of DQ sign by Oh Boy on Flickr

Calendar Mamba

I have a family, so I have a family calendar.   Our calendar is posted on the frig door and serves as the scheduling system for work, fun, family and extracurricular activities for anyone who is associated with our household.   Even at this point in June, there is something listed for every single week for the rest of the year.   For June and July, there is already some "to do" for almost every day.

So, there I stand, in front of the frig, doing what I like to call the "calendar mamba" trying to find my teeny, weeny, little 20-30 minutes to fit in a "dessert run".   You know what I am talking about...stand in front of the calendar - shift to the left, shift to the right, shake your right leg (with the 3 year hanging off of it) and lean back to the left (as my 7 year old pulls my arm to show me something in the living room).  Stand up and do it all again.  It is the calendar mamba.  I do this dance a few times a week and every week of the year to find the bucket of time to run.  Usually - it works - I find my little sliver of time.

Over lunch yesterday, a friend told me of the fun she had running Dam to Dam in Des Moines- (the best 20K in the world!)   She had wanted to do it for years, but always had a conflict with one of her kids activities - no matter how much she "did the mamba" it just wouldn't work out.  She said, in jest, that this year she was "selfish" and went for it and did the run.   I was so happy for her!  Then she finished her thought and told me that she ran a good race, crossed the finish line and then just kept running to her car and drove to the softball field and was esctatic to learn she only missed a 1/2 of an inning. 

Now, that's how you mamba!  (I love moms who show me it can be done!)

Photo of calendar on Flickr by dorathy

Photo of dancers on Flickr by timsamoff

Our Friends Runners and Bloggers

We've just launched this blog, and we're already being welcomed into the blogosphere.    One  interesting posts includes Liz Strauss' challenge around metaphors comparing blogging and bloggers to ordinary experiences.   For me, it didn't take long to notice that bloggers and runners have a lot in common.   Some similarities include..

We Know No Boundaries... The runners I know have a deep interest to learn from each other and share openly.  Whether it's fitness running, training, racing, or social running, most of us open ourselves to new approaches and mindsets to increase our running satisfaction.  The new friends we're meeting on blogs are equally insightful and generous with their expertise and resources.  Runners and non-runners are sharing with us useful advice and ideas, with no strings attached.  I get the impression they'd show up to go running with me if they could.  I'm finding the more I talk (and listen) with runners and bloggers, the more I learn. What a difference it makes to be plugged in to people with an abundance mentality and who like helping others.

Blogging Can Be Hard Work... Okay, so you don't get a cardio workout from reading, commenting and writing posts, but blog coach, Mike Sansone, says we need to develop our blogging muscles.  When I review my running, I usually can trace my success, soreness, and even injuries to failing to get out there and do the fundamentals.  My blogging muscles are still pretty flimsy, but I know that the consistency and a steady regimen of reading and posting will lead to my improved blogging development and fitness.  Thanks Mike!

There's Plenty Room For Everybody... A beautiful street in my community is a favorite for runners. Though more runners seem to be on the street, I think, "There's still room for more runners to enjoy our street--and our sport."   Similarly, countless new races and running events are popping up, some of which are social, some are competitive, and some raise funds and awareness for important causes.   

We're also learning that the blogosphere has plenty of capacity for more conversations, connecting great people, and the success that comes with it.  The excitement of both running and blogging is attracting more and more of us, at our own pace, for more connections with others.  Can you really have too many running or blogging friends? 

We Wish We'd Started Sooner... I don't think the similarities end here, but perhaps the most common experience of people I know who have discovered running and blogging is they wish they'd started sooner.  We are attracted to how simple, natural, and affordable running is as well as how great it is for our minds, bodies, and outlook on the world.  Those already blogging have discovered many of the same, including access to more information and the social appeal-it's a great way to accomplish our goals for fitness and conversations.

So while both bloggers and runners are picking up momentum and participation, our job is to welcome them into the communities.

Photo on Flickr by The Culprit

Running Conversations

I’m wondering about the saying about runners, “we’re all an experiment of one.”  That doesn’t make sense.  With so many of us running, certainly we must comprise some rock solid storehouse of running expertise. I’m all for learning from the experienced and figureheads in the world of running, and the scientific studies are a great resource.  But sometimes it seems we must be missing out on a large body of information experienced by the rest of us, ordinary runners, who are out there putting in the miles, listening to our minds and bodies and tweaking our running.  Where does all this collective running wisdom get stored?  More important, how can we share it?

My wife warns others, “If you want to lose an hour of life you’ll never get back?  Just get Tom talking about running with you.”  She’s right—up to a point.  More than talking about my running, I enjoy listening to others talk about their running. I usually learn something, and others often reinforce something I’ve heard, considered trying, but never got around to. I love a good conversation about running.

So my current focus is learning from ordinary runners.  We are a massively under-appreciated group with an unmined repository of ways to achieve optimal running performance.   Ordinary runners not only work to implement the proven stuff of running, but we also uncover some of the best practices in the world-wide community of running. Only, we don’t always hear from each other.   Because we are interested in better running, we need to listen more to each other.  Better yet, we need conversations.

Where are the best conversations about running taking place? I've read some interesting posts on Complete Running Network. Let’s find out more, inform each other, and take some of the unnecessary trial-and-error out of running and increase our running enjoyment.

The Greatest Community of People—Runners

From the Midwest, I enjoy being part one of the greatest communities of people—runners. I’ve been a runner for 30 plus years.  One of the best parts of running is getting to know other runners—about their accomplishments, goals, routines, challenges, and running advice related to running.  I’m an ordinary runner. Typically I just enjoy running, setting some fitness goals, and getting out for morning runs.  Sometimes I get into a more serious training routine and occasionally I enter a race. The last few years I’ve been focusing on longer races and have been running a marathon each year.

I like to run with others, informally coach a few friends, and support running in my community. These days I’m learning a lot just listening to other ordinary runners, exchanging advice, some lessons learned, and trying new approaches to running.  I have shelves of books on running—training, racing, nutrition, physiology, biographies, the works.  Recently I’ve been reading How Running Changed My Life: True Stories of the Power of Running . 

Each essay holds a powerful story about an accomplishment, character, lessons about running and about life.  It seems to me I’d enjoy meeting each of these runners.  However, I’ve learned that there’s virtually as much human interest, achievement and sometimes even gritty drama, in the lives of my running friends, co-workers, and runners right here in the community.

Like I said, what I like most about running is the great people it connects me to.  I’m having a great time meeting them in print, the virtual world, and of course in my community.  Once we establish we are runners, getting to know them is easy and a pleasure.

Life at the back

I am not a fast runner.   I started running later in life to counteract my cookie addiction and generally keep my mind in good working order.  As I keep running, I discovered that I don't gain speed but instead instead gain patience and resolve to find enough time to run my distances. 

At last count, I have finished three races dead last.  When others introduce me as a "runner", I quickly add the subtitle that they should be honored to meet "the slowest runner" in the world.    My first real race was a marathon that I planned to run "just" half of it - 13 miles.   I had only been running for about 8 months and had trained to about 8 miles.  I was carrying around 20 extra pounds and had shin splits going into the race.  Yes, about all the classic running mistakes. The night before the race, I sat with my husband, eating pizza telling him I was worried I was going to be last.   I remember clearly him reassuring me that there was no way I would be last - I just couldn't be that SLOW.   That morning, after the gun went off, I lost track of the group of runners within 3 blocks.   At about a mile, the race crossed a long bridge.   The pack had crossed about 5 minutes before me and were over and out of sight.   And then, I crossed.    Six police cars (the roving barricade) and all 100 commuters waiting, escorted me across the bridge.   It was then that I realized I was the slowest runner on earth. 

During the race, it took the sag wagon about an hour to find me.  When they caught up to me they told me that they had no idea that there was a still a runner "way back here".  I lost my way twice and had to stop at a house to ask directions.   At mile 8, 11, and 12 1/2, they got out of the van to walk up to make sure I was ok.   The funny thing was, I was still "running" at that point - but they thought my shuffle looked a little sickly.   

At mile 13, I happily pulled off to the side and welcomed a ride back home with my husband.  The sag wagon gave a little beep and went off and search for the next set of runners  - a few miles up the road.

But in spite of that, I still run.  Because on some days when the sun is warm, the trail is flat and the music is just right - I still feel fast.