Saturday was my 28th birthday and I decided to celebrate it at Lake Texoma and the Cross Timbers Trail Marathon. And what a birthday present it was.
We got into Whitesboro around 6pm Friday night. We went straight to the registration/packet-pickup/dinner at the marina. I got my packet, met a few cool people including the guy who would go on to win the race, and had some good spaghetti. Afterwards we went back to our hotel and got some sleep. It had rained all day, and continued to rain all night. I woke up at 4:30 to thunder and heavy rain. It would continue to rain the entire day. Many of you have not run with me and don't even know me very well. I hate running in cold and hate heat even more. But I love hills, love mud, and I especially love rain. This was my kind of morning.
At 7am the race started. I felt kind of stupid because I had not even brought a jacket. I had a long sleeve shirt and shorts on. It was good enough for now, but I new it would get heavy as the rain continued to drop. That wasn't my biggest concern. I had signed up for this race because I hadn't run a trail race since Sunmart, and hadn't run hard since then either. I felt out of practice and out of shape. This was my test to see if I could still run well, and my first good run before I started ramping back up. It was my litmus test. For me the race started slow, I tucked in behind a guy that was running his first trail marathon, and a woman running the half marathon. They were running slow 12 minute miles, but given the muddy terrain, that was fine with me. I wanted to start slow, and kick it up after 10 miles if it felt right.
At 7 miles, we hit an aid station and I decided it was too slow, so I took off. I ran the next 3 miles very hard (sub 10 minute miles sliding on mud up and down hills). I swung from tree branches to hold my balance, and passed a bunch of people. There must have been about 10-15 marathoners ahead of me as I approached the turn-around at Paw Paw Point. I didn't really think twice about it, I figured I'd catch a few of them, but most would continue along ahead of me.
At Paw Paw Point, I filled up my water bottle, declined any food because it was far too soggy to look appetizing, and I took off. The next hour I passed a lot of people. I wasn't sure how many people were marathoners and how many were 50 milers, but I knew I passed most of them. Guys that were over 10 minutes ahead of me were struggling up muddy mountains, sliding backwards on their hands and feet. I just grabbed onto trees, took advantage of my 200 lbs. sinking into the mud, and kept on up the hills. I reached the marina (20 miles) at 3:45 and found out I was in 4th place!. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I am not fast, and I don't run against anyone but myself. But I've also never been in this position before where I was amongst the leaders. I also knew this may never happen again, so I went out as fast as I could.
I passed a few more people, but learned they were 50 milers. Where was the third place guy??? Just before I reached Juniper Point, (0.6 miles short of the turnaround) I saw the 1st place runner, Matt. He told me to keep on running, that I could catch the guy in third if I kept it up. That got my adreneline going, and I scurried up the muddy hill. I hit Juniper Point, but had to continue another 0.6 miles to a turn-around. That distance was on the road, and it felt so good to feel traction again on my feet that I just ran a sub-8 minute pace despite the burning in my legs. I spotted the 3rd place runner and chased him down. Around the turnaround I passed him, talked to him for a minute and realized I would not see him again. He was beaten. I told him good luck, and went on ahead. When I reached Juniper Point again, I saw the 5th place runner. I was over a mile ahead of him and realized that I would finish in 3rd! This would be the first and only time I'll ever finish in 3rd place of a marathon. It's not like winning a road marathon, I know, but it's still really cool to think about. My elation carried me the rest of the way, and I slalomed down the muddy hills like Bode Miller. (Actually, better that Bode since I won a bronze). I fell once about 0.5 miles short of the finish line, but I was so caked in mud that it made no difference.
At the finish it I was happy. Not because I had come in third (which is cool, but I'm over it) but because I ran a smart race, ran as hard as I could, and had my favorite birthday present ever. I took a bath in the 45 degree waters of Lake Texoma, changed in a Port-a-Potty, and enjoyed cheering on some runners back to the finish line. They were serving burgers, beer, soda, and lots of other calories. The food was good, just like the course, and just like the company.
Anyone that hasn't run Cross Timbers should think about it. It is a beautiful course along the lake. The RD puts on a good race, the people are good people, and it's very challenging. It was a long trek for me to get up there from Austin, but I'm glad I did it. Like I said, it was my kind of morning.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
In Search of a Hero
I'm always in search for a new hero, and yesterday I found one. It came from the most unlikely of places just when I least expected it, but I knew I had found one in a single moment. My new hero is my wife, Kara.
Yesterday, she ran her first marathon in 5 hours and 37 minutes. But it wasn't just that she crossed the finish line, and it wasn't her finishing time that made me realize how amazing she is. It was how she did it. She started training 18 months ago for the 2005 Freescale marathon, but after her long training run of 18 miles, she came down with a bad case of tendonitis, and missed a critical 3 weeks of training. The idea of running that race was lost, and I expected that the desire to run a marathon at all would be lost with it. That year, I don't think she was training for the race for herself, I think it was something that she wanted to do for me. And anyone who has run this race knows, this is not something you can do for someone else. It takes too much commitment and discipline, and there are so many obstacles to overcome, that a desire to run is not enough. You have to have a NEED to finish.
When the time came to train for the 2006 Freescale marathon, she signed up for the AustinFit training program, and began her training. She had her good days and her bad days, but this time I could see a difference. When she talked about it, she didn't say "if I run" the marathon, she talked about it as something that she was definitely going to do. Her training went well, and after the RunTex 20 miler, she had a great time and felt really good. It looked like she was prepared and ready to go. Then, while doing one final 21 mile training run, things fell apart. She came down with a nasty case of IT band syndrome, which I know all too well. It hurt, and she limped the final mile to her car. She had no idea what the injury was, but I knew right away. I diagnosed her (I'm not a doctor, but this is an injury you don't soon forget) and told her to go see a physical therapist. It was only 3 weeks before the marathon, and it looked like deja vu from last year.
After 10 days off, she started up her runs slowly. She had missed a few runs, but this was the tapering period anyways. As long as her leg stayed strong, I knew she could do it. And more importantly, she knew she could do it. And now we cut to the day before the race.
It's 30 degrees outside, and the forecast for tomorrow is high 20's and freezing rain. Or, as wunderground.com put it, "ice pellets." But she never complained. Sure, she worried and checked the forecast every hour to see if it would change, but she didnt complain. She never once mentioned that it wasn't fair, or that it would ruin her chances of her first marathon finish. An IT band problem is worst under cold temperatures, but she didn't flinch. And on race morning, she put on several layers of clothes, and we headed out.
That morning was freezing as expected. We walked around to find the bathrooms, and then walked about a mile and a half searching for our car, which we had lost. Wasting miles on your feet is not something you want to do before a marathon, but she was not deterred. And at 7:30 am, she took off on her adventure.
I didn't see her again until mile 11, where she looked tired and cold. Her stomach was a little upset, which I did not expect. I tried to get her to take some food, but she wasn't really interested. She walked for a minute with me, then started off again. I was already sensing something special in her, but I knew she was in for an experience that she has never felt before, and would never forget.
The next time I saw her was at 19 miles. My dad and another friend were running ahead of her, so I gave my mom the car keys and told her to go to the finish line. We knew we would never make it to the finish line to see them, if we waited around for Kara. I was going to run the rest of the way with Kara. She hadn't asked me to run with her, but I knew she would need it. And even if she didn't want it, I was going to do it anyways. When I found her, she was struggling. In her words at 19.5 miles, "I hit the wall around 14, and now I just keep banging my head against it." It was one of the few things she said for the next hour and a half. I spent that time doing all of the talking, trying to keep her mind off of the run. I encouraged her to keep moving forward, just like I've been encouraged in the past. But the truth was, she didn't need me there. She was now on a personal mission, and I was just a spectator. During the next hour, I ran with a cell phone. I called people that had already finished, so I could give Kara the update. I called her sister, to tell her how she was doing. I wanted everyone to know that she was still strong. I knew she was feeling a lot of pain, but she never complained. I know I would have complained, I know I have complained in similar situations. Maybe she was too tired to complain, but I don't think so. I think she just isn't any good at it.
At about 25.75 miles, I let her go. I told her to run alone, enjoy the experience, and think about what an amazing accomplishment she was now acheiving. She had worked hard for so long, and now she needed to just reap the rewards. I walked off the course, and ran along the sidelines behind her, so I could be a real spectator. I made it to the finish line just in time to see her finish. It was an amazing accomplishment. I hadn't felt so proud in a long time.
After the race, I finally heard her complain. They gave her a banana, some gatorade, and a cup of chili. "This is stupid. Who would eat chili after a marathon?" That's all she had to complain about. And I ate her chili.
Before we went to sleep last night, she called me an inspiration. But I was the one that was inspired that day.
Yesterday, she ran her first marathon in 5 hours and 37 minutes. But it wasn't just that she crossed the finish line, and it wasn't her finishing time that made me realize how amazing she is. It was how she did it. She started training 18 months ago for the 2005 Freescale marathon, but after her long training run of 18 miles, she came down with a bad case of tendonitis, and missed a critical 3 weeks of training. The idea of running that race was lost, and I expected that the desire to run a marathon at all would be lost with it. That year, I don't think she was training for the race for herself, I think it was something that she wanted to do for me. And anyone who has run this race knows, this is not something you can do for someone else. It takes too much commitment and discipline, and there are so many obstacles to overcome, that a desire to run is not enough. You have to have a NEED to finish.
When the time came to train for the 2006 Freescale marathon, she signed up for the AustinFit training program, and began her training. She had her good days and her bad days, but this time I could see a difference. When she talked about it, she didn't say "if I run" the marathon, she talked about it as something that she was definitely going to do. Her training went well, and after the RunTex 20 miler, she had a great time and felt really good. It looked like she was prepared and ready to go. Then, while doing one final 21 mile training run, things fell apart. She came down with a nasty case of IT band syndrome, which I know all too well. It hurt, and she limped the final mile to her car. She had no idea what the injury was, but I knew right away. I diagnosed her (I'm not a doctor, but this is an injury you don't soon forget) and told her to go see a physical therapist. It was only 3 weeks before the marathon, and it looked like deja vu from last year.
After 10 days off, she started up her runs slowly. She had missed a few runs, but this was the tapering period anyways. As long as her leg stayed strong, I knew she could do it. And more importantly, she knew she could do it. And now we cut to the day before the race.
It's 30 degrees outside, and the forecast for tomorrow is high 20's and freezing rain. Or, as wunderground.com put it, "ice pellets." But she never complained. Sure, she worried and checked the forecast every hour to see if it would change, but she didnt complain. She never once mentioned that it wasn't fair, or that it would ruin her chances of her first marathon finish. An IT band problem is worst under cold temperatures, but she didn't flinch. And on race morning, she put on several layers of clothes, and we headed out.
That morning was freezing as expected. We walked around to find the bathrooms, and then walked about a mile and a half searching for our car, which we had lost. Wasting miles on your feet is not something you want to do before a marathon, but she was not deterred. And at 7:30 am, she took off on her adventure.
I didn't see her again until mile 11, where she looked tired and cold. Her stomach was a little upset, which I did not expect. I tried to get her to take some food, but she wasn't really interested. She walked for a minute with me, then started off again. I was already sensing something special in her, but I knew she was in for an experience that she has never felt before, and would never forget.
The next time I saw her was at 19 miles. My dad and another friend were running ahead of her, so I gave my mom the car keys and told her to go to the finish line. We knew we would never make it to the finish line to see them, if we waited around for Kara. I was going to run the rest of the way with Kara. She hadn't asked me to run with her, but I knew she would need it. And even if she didn't want it, I was going to do it anyways. When I found her, she was struggling. In her words at 19.5 miles, "I hit the wall around 14, and now I just keep banging my head against it." It was one of the few things she said for the next hour and a half. I spent that time doing all of the talking, trying to keep her mind off of the run. I encouraged her to keep moving forward, just like I've been encouraged in the past. But the truth was, she didn't need me there. She was now on a personal mission, and I was just a spectator. During the next hour, I ran with a cell phone. I called people that had already finished, so I could give Kara the update. I called her sister, to tell her how she was doing. I wanted everyone to know that she was still strong. I knew she was feeling a lot of pain, but she never complained. I know I would have complained, I know I have complained in similar situations. Maybe she was too tired to complain, but I don't think so. I think she just isn't any good at it.
At about 25.75 miles, I let her go. I told her to run alone, enjoy the experience, and think about what an amazing accomplishment she was now acheiving. She had worked hard for so long, and now she needed to just reap the rewards. I walked off the course, and ran along the sidelines behind her, so I could be a real spectator. I made it to the finish line just in time to see her finish. It was an amazing accomplishment. I hadn't felt so proud in a long time.
After the race, I finally heard her complain. They gave her a banana, some gatorade, and a cup of chili. "This is stupid. Who would eat chili after a marathon?" That's all she had to complain about. And I ate her chili.
Before we went to sleep last night, she called me an inspiration. But I was the one that was inspired that day.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
2006 Race Plan
I finally took some time to figure out my race plan for the coming year. Well, atleast the next several months, anyways. Here's what I have:
25-Feb Cross Timbers 50M/25M
11-Mar Waco FIVE-0 50K
25-Mar Do the Ultra Canyon 47K or 15K
or...
25-Mar Grasslands 50M/26.2M
1-Apr Hog's Hunt 50K
23-Apr The Maze 30K
30-Apr Rocky Hill Ranch 50K
6-May Prickly Pear 50K
21-May The Loop 30K
18-Jun The Belt 30K
19-Aug Pikes Peak 26.2
Obviously I'm not going to do Graslands and Ultra Canyon. I'll probably see how Waco goes and decide if I can do 50M. If not, I'll do the 47K. I haven't been to either place, so both should be fun.
My two long shot goals are Zane Grey and San Juan Solstice. Right now I don't think either are going to happen with my work schedule and my lack of training over the past 2 months. But now I'm ramping up again and ready to get going with a lot of the Texas races. Once things get rolling, we'll see how things go. I've been known to do a lot of dumb things, so running a crazy race I'm not ready for isn't out of reach.
25-Feb Cross Timbers 50M/25M
11-Mar Waco FIVE-0 50K
25-Mar Do the Ultra Canyon 47K or 15K
or...
25-Mar Grasslands 50M/26.2M
1-Apr Hog's Hunt 50K
23-Apr The Maze 30K
30-Apr Rocky Hill Ranch 50K
6-May Prickly Pear 50K
21-May The Loop 30K
18-Jun The Belt 30K
19-Aug Pikes Peak 26.2
Obviously I'm not going to do Graslands and Ultra Canyon. I'll probably see how Waco goes and decide if I can do 50M. If not, I'll do the 47K. I haven't been to either place, so both should be fun.
My two long shot goals are Zane Grey and San Juan Solstice. Right now I don't think either are going to happen with my work schedule and my lack of training over the past 2 months. But now I'm ramping up again and ready to get going with a lot of the Texas races. Once things get rolling, we'll see how things go. I've been known to do a lot of dumb things, so running a crazy race I'm not ready for isn't out of reach.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Champions
I'm tired and don't have time to write much, but I have to say...
We got one for the thumb!!!!! I love yinz guys!!!!!
We got one for the thumb!!!!! I love yinz guys!!!!!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Take the Big Ben Pledge
Want the Steelers to win? Then take some responsibility and click on the picture below:
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Reasons why I run
I put together 12 reasons why I run. There are plenty more, but these are the ones on my mind these days. I'm sure every runner has a different list, but this is mine.
12. It gives me more energy
I didn’t realize it at the time, but before I started running I was drained of energy. I worked (and still do) 60-70 hours per week usually. When I finished the day I came home, ate dinner, watched too much TV, and was drained and ready for bed. Then one day I started running, and all of that changed. I still work, I still watch too much TV, but now I have energy all day long. I don't have days where I have no energy. Sure, after a very long run I get tired, and I don't have any immediate energy. But after a shower and a snack, I'm ready to go. It's a small difference in my day to day environment, but I go through the day feeling great. I've seen the top of the mountain, and I can never go back down.
11. To control my weight.
When I started running, I weighed about 230 lbs. I wasn't extremely fat, I'm 6'0" and it was spread pretty evenly. But I wanted to lose some weight, and I like eating too much to stop. 6 months later I was training for a marathon, and I weighed under 200. Now, if you like this reason, then you really need to get into trail running and ultramarathons. There is nothing you can't eat in your peak milage while training for a 50-miler. I'm not saying you should, Im just simply saying you can.
10. To constanly challenge myself.
For me, the challenge is within. I don't have too many races where I have a specific time goal. I've had a few and I usually end up disappointed. But for me, the challenge is to have fun while I train, see new things and meet new people, and when the times comes for a race, I don't need a watch. My challenege is to run as hard as I can and to push things as far as they can go. When my race is over, I don't need to see the time. I know whether I had a good race because I gave it everything I had and ignored the pain in my legs, the struggle in my lungs, and the pounding of my heart. One of my friends makes fun of me because, whenever I have a slow race, it's always because I went out too fast. And I aways say, "I felt good early, so I stepped it up." Well, to me, there is no other way to race. If I conserve, and finish strong, I'll never kow what could have happened if I went out hard. But if I go hard, and I have that rare day where eveything goes great, I can finish hard and honestly say that I could not have run better. Sure, for many people that would lead to some seriously disappointing times. But for me, it's the only way to challenge myself.
9. You get to meet good people. Especially on the trails
I've met a lot of good people out running, and I've turned some friends into runners. Overall, I'd say I like the running community and would prefer to spend time with them (even if it's just saying "hi" while passing them on the road) than with co-workers or other random people. They are good people, with good spirits. But I have to say, when I started running trails and meeting people in training groups and at the trail running events, I really found my niche. These places are filled with runners that share my motives, my desires. They understand the reasons to run. They all have interesting stories, and they all love the feel of the trail beneath their feet. They don't worry so much about time, as they do about the experience. They understand that running, like life, is about the journey and not the destination.
8. It's a cheap hobby. All I need is a pair of shoes.
I love that I can run at a moments notice. When I get out of work early, I head to a trail and strap on my shoes. And I'm off. Or if I'm travelling to a new place and see some cool hills or hear of some tough trails, I strap on my shoes and I'm off. When I started running I bought a $40 pair of shoes and never had a blister. It doesn't take much to get out there. There are no good excuses.
7. It's dependable
Running is always there for me. It's a relationship that always forgives. I can ignore it for awhile, but when I come crawling back, it's there for me. Sure, it might punish me with some sore legs and some heavy lungs, but it takes me in. It abuses me at times, but also gives me some of my biggest rewards. It comes with me wherever I go, and gives me confidence. It's there to listen when I'm stressed out with work, or mad at life. It's there to celebrate with me when I'm excited and want to enjoy the outdoors. It will go with me in the heat, the snow, the rain… Running will stay with me until my legs give out, and even then I'll have the memories.
6. It's better than other addictions
Smoking and drinking might work for some, but they are expensive and/or time consuming. Some people depend on drugs or gambling. For me, I would prefer to run.
5. To enjoy the outdoors
Before I started running, I never understood environmentalists (AKA tree-huggers). I didn’t get it. I thought it was stupid to worry more about parks, trees, and grass compared to the advancement of society (technology, parking lots, new buldings, etc). Now, when I go out to St. Edwards or Barton Creek, and I find the rare spots where you can't hear a single car, or you see some wildlife nearby, I get it. I love the rush of being outside, alone in the wild, at dusk or at dawn. I never got excited about a walk in the park, but now I love those perfect weather days where I sneak out of work early to get on the trails all alone.
4. Escape from the rest of life's complications
Like everyone else, I have a job, a family, a house, and all the rest. Which means responsibilites, deadlines, mortgage payments, stress, and all the rest. Some people use time running to organize their lives, and figure things out. To prioritize commitments, or to solve problems. Not me. I use it as a time to clear my mind. Stress and worries disappear during those hours, and even if they return when I'm finished, things just aren't as urgent. I feel better the rest of the day.
3. It cleanses my soul
I don’t know what I think about during most of my runs. Sometimes I finish a 2-3 hour run and I can't remember a darn thing. All I know is I feel very spiritual during the run, and afterwards. Some people are more comfortable in a church praying, others use yoga and meditation. For me, my soul is cleansed when I run. I can use the time to talk to God, to give thanks for my blessings in life. Or I can use it to complain about things that are going wrong. But this is a personal time that is just impossible to get in any other environment without a serious amount of commitment and discipline.
2. Because I have to
Sometimes there is no explanation. I do it because I have to.
1. No matter my mood, I've never NOT felt better after a run, than I did before the run
Sure, sometimes my feet hurt or my knees hurt. Sometimes I'm sore for a day or two, and I've had a few injuries along the way. But I can say, without exception, that regardless of how I felt as I put on my shoes before a run, I always feel better when taking them off. Physically, mentally, spiritually. I've never had a run I regretted, I've never caught myself saying I should have run less.
12. It gives me more energy
I didn’t realize it at the time, but before I started running I was drained of energy. I worked (and still do) 60-70 hours per week usually. When I finished the day I came home, ate dinner, watched too much TV, and was drained and ready for bed. Then one day I started running, and all of that changed. I still work, I still watch too much TV, but now I have energy all day long. I don't have days where I have no energy. Sure, after a very long run I get tired, and I don't have any immediate energy. But after a shower and a snack, I'm ready to go. It's a small difference in my day to day environment, but I go through the day feeling great. I've seen the top of the mountain, and I can never go back down.
11. To control my weight.
When I started running, I weighed about 230 lbs. I wasn't extremely fat, I'm 6'0" and it was spread pretty evenly. But I wanted to lose some weight, and I like eating too much to stop. 6 months later I was training for a marathon, and I weighed under 200. Now, if you like this reason, then you really need to get into trail running and ultramarathons. There is nothing you can't eat in your peak milage while training for a 50-miler. I'm not saying you should, Im just simply saying you can.
10. To constanly challenge myself.
For me, the challenge is within. I don't have too many races where I have a specific time goal. I've had a few and I usually end up disappointed. But for me, the challenge is to have fun while I train, see new things and meet new people, and when the times comes for a race, I don't need a watch. My challenege is to run as hard as I can and to push things as far as they can go. When my race is over, I don't need to see the time. I know whether I had a good race because I gave it everything I had and ignored the pain in my legs, the struggle in my lungs, and the pounding of my heart. One of my friends makes fun of me because, whenever I have a slow race, it's always because I went out too fast. And I aways say, "I felt good early, so I stepped it up." Well, to me, there is no other way to race. If I conserve, and finish strong, I'll never kow what could have happened if I went out hard. But if I go hard, and I have that rare day where eveything goes great, I can finish hard and honestly say that I could not have run better. Sure, for many people that would lead to some seriously disappointing times. But for me, it's the only way to challenge myself.
9. You get to meet good people. Especially on the trails
I've met a lot of good people out running, and I've turned some friends into runners. Overall, I'd say I like the running community and would prefer to spend time with them (even if it's just saying "hi" while passing them on the road) than with co-workers or other random people. They are good people, with good spirits. But I have to say, when I started running trails and meeting people in training groups and at the trail running events, I really found my niche. These places are filled with runners that share my motives, my desires. They understand the reasons to run. They all have interesting stories, and they all love the feel of the trail beneath their feet. They don't worry so much about time, as they do about the experience. They understand that running, like life, is about the journey and not the destination.
8. It's a cheap hobby. All I need is a pair of shoes.
I love that I can run at a moments notice. When I get out of work early, I head to a trail and strap on my shoes. And I'm off. Or if I'm travelling to a new place and see some cool hills or hear of some tough trails, I strap on my shoes and I'm off. When I started running I bought a $40 pair of shoes and never had a blister. It doesn't take much to get out there. There are no good excuses.
7. It's dependable
Running is always there for me. It's a relationship that always forgives. I can ignore it for awhile, but when I come crawling back, it's there for me. Sure, it might punish me with some sore legs and some heavy lungs, but it takes me in. It abuses me at times, but also gives me some of my biggest rewards. It comes with me wherever I go, and gives me confidence. It's there to listen when I'm stressed out with work, or mad at life. It's there to celebrate with me when I'm excited and want to enjoy the outdoors. It will go with me in the heat, the snow, the rain… Running will stay with me until my legs give out, and even then I'll have the memories.
6. It's better than other addictions
Smoking and drinking might work for some, but they are expensive and/or time consuming. Some people depend on drugs or gambling. For me, I would prefer to run.
5. To enjoy the outdoors
Before I started running, I never understood environmentalists (AKA tree-huggers). I didn’t get it. I thought it was stupid to worry more about parks, trees, and grass compared to the advancement of society (technology, parking lots, new buldings, etc). Now, when I go out to St. Edwards or Barton Creek, and I find the rare spots where you can't hear a single car, or you see some wildlife nearby, I get it. I love the rush of being outside, alone in the wild, at dusk or at dawn. I never got excited about a walk in the park, but now I love those perfect weather days where I sneak out of work early to get on the trails all alone.
4. Escape from the rest of life's complications
Like everyone else, I have a job, a family, a house, and all the rest. Which means responsibilites, deadlines, mortgage payments, stress, and all the rest. Some people use time running to organize their lives, and figure things out. To prioritize commitments, or to solve problems. Not me. I use it as a time to clear my mind. Stress and worries disappear during those hours, and even if they return when I'm finished, things just aren't as urgent. I feel better the rest of the day.
3. It cleanses my soul
I don’t know what I think about during most of my runs. Sometimes I finish a 2-3 hour run and I can't remember a darn thing. All I know is I feel very spiritual during the run, and afterwards. Some people are more comfortable in a church praying, others use yoga and meditation. For me, my soul is cleansed when I run. I can use the time to talk to God, to give thanks for my blessings in life. Or I can use it to complain about things that are going wrong. But this is a personal time that is just impossible to get in any other environment without a serious amount of commitment and discipline.
2. Because I have to
Sometimes there is no explanation. I do it because I have to.
1. No matter my mood, I've never NOT felt better after a run, than I did before the run
Sure, sometimes my feet hurt or my knees hurt. Sometimes I'm sore for a day or two, and I've had a few injuries along the way. But I can say, without exception, that regardless of how I felt as I put on my shoes before a run, I always feel better when taking them off. Physically, mentally, spiritually. I've never had a run I regretted, I've never caught myself saying I should have run less.
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