Aristotle once used a philosophical analogy of a sculptor seeing an object exist in a block of marble so it is really a matter of chipping away the pieces to get to it. Today's post is going to draw on this analogy. I believe there is a runner in all of us and we just need to get him or her out.
In my last blog, I mentioned that it takes courage for someone to get up and start running, whether you are brand new to it or trying to get back into it. I should add that it also takes courage to stick with it. Why is that, though? Why do we need courage to do something as simple as running? Here are my thoughts...
A lot of people will sabotage their own efforts to get into shape. I've heard so many people adamantly say that they did not have time for running. I've always been skeptical about this. If you really want to get out and exercise, you can almost always think of ways to do it. I've done things like getting up early, running over the lunch hour (and then eating at my desk), or even going to the playground with my wife and kids and then going for a quick one while she supervises their playing. When my wife works on the weekend, I've had some kind friends babysit for a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes while I did a run around a nearby lake. If my 3 year old is willing, I'll push him in a stroller while I run. If you truly have a schedule where you find it really hard to find time to exercise then you should do some major analysis because you probably really need to run more than the average person, which brings me to my next point.
Running makes you feel better. Not just a little better...a lot better. If you are new to running, you'll at first think it does not make you feel better. In fact, you will probably think it makes you feel lousy and you will swear a lot. But trust me; you need to put in the effort to stick with it and get over that first hill, metaphorically speaking. If you run 3 times a week you will start to notice that it gets easier in about a month or so. I almost hesitate to say "easier"...perhaps "different" is a better word. You will get used to running and your body will go through a kind of transformation. You will start to feel stronger and breathing more efficiently. Runs will be something you actually look forward to instead of dreading. One of the great things you will also notice is that you will feel more alive and active throughout the day.
Here's something interesting. When I went through a career transition period, I saw a therapist. I was in a period of inactivity and didn't feel very good about myself. My therapist gave me a note to give to my doctor for some pills to make me feel better and asked me if I exercised. "I used to run but haven't for a while," I responded. She then explained that if she had to choose between therapy, pills, or exercise to make someone feel better she would choose exercise, hands down. Let me be clear: I'm not saying you should quit therapy if you are using it or flush your pills down the toilet. It's better to have a combination of things helping you but the fact that exercise is the number one thing that a professional, licensed therapist would prescribe really got me thinking about the power of exercise. By the way, when I visited my doctor to get a prescription, she confirmed what my therapist had told me.
Perhaps the thing that surprised me the most about running is the insightful things you learn about yourself and others. As far as the latter, you will find that the running community is very supportive and kind in general. Nods, hellos, smiles, and waves are common along the popular running routes. There is also an unspoken respect that shows the inclusiveness of the group. For example, if an overweight person is starting to run, the community will think that person is amazing for getting out there and doing something about it. In regard to the former, you will start to build confidence and receive a character boost when you discover what you can accomplish. Imagine that, along with stress-relief, you start to overcome obstacles and strive for greater achievements. You will also find that all these great benefits can be focused on improving other facets of your life.
So it is time - time to stop thinking and start doing. It is time to get out there and run. Like the sculptor, it's just a matter at chipping away the negative pieces and letting them fall to the wayside...and let that positive runner emerge.
See you at the starting line!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Why "The Starting Line"?
OK. I'm not a doctor, coach, or even an elite athelete. Heck, I didn't even run track in high school - which was back in the '80s, by the way. In fact, I hated running and never wanted to be associated with it in any way. I was in the Navy for a few years and ran during bootcamp. Outside of that, though, I can't remember ever running so much as a mile.
So, what is a guy like me doing writing a blog about running? What gives me the right to give advice or inspiration? Well, for one thing, I enjoy writing. I wouldn't say I'm the best at that but I do it upon ocassion anyway. However, that is not the main reason I feel I'm at least a little qualified to write this blog. The main reason is that I made myself a runner...in my late 30s...while I was over 200 pounds (and closer to 300). I have read a ton about running and also have talked to a lot of people that I consider pretty darned good runners...and I have put in my time. Yes, I've been running for about 10 years, off and on, and have come to enjoy it. I've ran my share of races and try to get out a few times a week. My ideal is 15 to 20 miles a week. Sometimes I achieve that...sometimes I don't. After my son was born, I didn't run consistently for over 2 years. Lately, I've been getting back into it...but it is easier because I know what I can do now.
I've never ran a marathon. I trained for a half marathon once and actually completed it in a hair under 2 hours but that is probably the furthest I've ever ran. But guess what? That is OK. You don't need to run marathons or half marathons to be a runner. To be a runner, all you have to do is...well, I'll get to that later.
After losing some weight, I decided to give running a try. So out the door I went and ran a mile or so. Man, was that tough...but I did it. The next time I went out I was not so successful. I suddently couldn't do a full mile. I tried a handful of times after that with mixed results. I was frustrated and swore it was because I was no good at it...and I hated it. Stupid running. Stupid running and the stupid runners that ran. Plus, I always felt like I was going to die and I didn't like that feeling. Not at all.
Then, as luck would have it, I talked to a friend of my brother. This guy ran marathons and, from what I understood, he ran them fast! I mentioned my frustrations to him and he told me three things that I will always remember:
1. Don't breathe through the lungs, breathe through the diaphram.
2. Most of your runs should not be hard...in fact, on long runs you should just take 1 or 2 deep breathes and feel like you are almost breathing normally.
3. I love to come home from work, put on my running shoes and run.
I went out for a run the next day and ran 3 and half miles. From that point on I've been running at least 3 miles per run consistently. Let's look at the 3 things a little closer:
#1: Don't breathe through the lungs, breathe through the diaphram
Like I mentioned before, I am not a doctor. I don't know what a diaphram is let alone where it is. Also, do you really want to bypass the lungs? Aren't lungs made for breathing? Anyway, a follow-up question or three later and he told me it was like trying to inhale a breath of air to your stomach. There are lots of reasons why you do this that would make a good topic for another post. Let's just say here that it works.
#2: Most of your runs should not be hard...
This blew me away. Easy runs? Blasphemy, I tell ya! I wanted to be a runner, not a little sissy. But when you realize that running is not very hard (unless you want it to be) it makes it less scary and fun. I always thought you needed to be out of breath and ready to drop dead to be a runner. Not true.
#3: I love to come home from work, put on my running shoes and run
While the first to points are more "mechanical", this last one made more of a philosophical connection on me. I realized that I had to change my attitude toward running and become more positive. This was probably the most valuable lesson I learned that day.
So, what do you need to be a runner? Well, some might say shoes but there are people that run barefoot. You might say legs but there are some people who have only one or two legs that still run (with the help of prosthetics). Time, perhaps? I believe there is always time for running. Alright, here it is...the answer is...
Courage.
Yes, corny as it sounds, courage is what you need to be a runner. You need to have courage to walk out the door or to get on a treadmill. And let me let you in on a little secret:
if you start running you are a runner. You don't have to be fast or good at it. You don't have to put in a plethora of miles to get a badge that says you are a runner. You don't have to cross any finish lines or run faster than a certain pace. You just need to start. Yes, it's that simple. It's that easy.
I would love to share my stories and thoughts with you and look forward to writing more blogs in the future. I am planning on telling you things that work for me to keep me going, maybe a little nutrition information, some laughs (and some tears), things I've read about, things I think about...hell, it'll be a little bit of everything. I'd love to hear from you as well.
Until then, we'll see you at the starting line!
So, what is a guy like me doing writing a blog about running? What gives me the right to give advice or inspiration? Well, for one thing, I enjoy writing. I wouldn't say I'm the best at that but I do it upon ocassion anyway. However, that is not the main reason I feel I'm at least a little qualified to write this blog. The main reason is that I made myself a runner...in my late 30s...while I was over 200 pounds (and closer to 300). I have read a ton about running and also have talked to a lot of people that I consider pretty darned good runners...and I have put in my time. Yes, I've been running for about 10 years, off and on, and have come to enjoy it. I've ran my share of races and try to get out a few times a week. My ideal is 15 to 20 miles a week. Sometimes I achieve that...sometimes I don't. After my son was born, I didn't run consistently for over 2 years. Lately, I've been getting back into it...but it is easier because I know what I can do now.
I've never ran a marathon. I trained for a half marathon once and actually completed it in a hair under 2 hours but that is probably the furthest I've ever ran. But guess what? That is OK. You don't need to run marathons or half marathons to be a runner. To be a runner, all you have to do is...well, I'll get to that later.
After losing some weight, I decided to give running a try. So out the door I went and ran a mile or so. Man, was that tough...but I did it. The next time I went out I was not so successful. I suddently couldn't do a full mile. I tried a handful of times after that with mixed results. I was frustrated and swore it was because I was no good at it...and I hated it. Stupid running. Stupid running and the stupid runners that ran. Plus, I always felt like I was going to die and I didn't like that feeling. Not at all.
Then, as luck would have it, I talked to a friend of my brother. This guy ran marathons and, from what I understood, he ran them fast! I mentioned my frustrations to him and he told me three things that I will always remember:
1. Don't breathe through the lungs, breathe through the diaphram.
2. Most of your runs should not be hard...in fact, on long runs you should just take 1 or 2 deep breathes and feel like you are almost breathing normally.
3. I love to come home from work, put on my running shoes and run.
I went out for a run the next day and ran 3 and half miles. From that point on I've been running at least 3 miles per run consistently. Let's look at the 3 things a little closer:
#1: Don't breathe through the lungs, breathe through the diaphram
Like I mentioned before, I am not a doctor. I don't know what a diaphram is let alone where it is. Also, do you really want to bypass the lungs? Aren't lungs made for breathing? Anyway, a follow-up question or three later and he told me it was like trying to inhale a breath of air to your stomach. There are lots of reasons why you do this that would make a good topic for another post. Let's just say here that it works.
#2: Most of your runs should not be hard...
This blew me away. Easy runs? Blasphemy, I tell ya! I wanted to be a runner, not a little sissy. But when you realize that running is not very hard (unless you want it to be) it makes it less scary and fun. I always thought you needed to be out of breath and ready to drop dead to be a runner. Not true.
#3: I love to come home from work, put on my running shoes and run
While the first to points are more "mechanical", this last one made more of a philosophical connection on me. I realized that I had to change my attitude toward running and become more positive. This was probably the most valuable lesson I learned that day.
So, what do you need to be a runner? Well, some might say shoes but there are people that run barefoot. You might say legs but there are some people who have only one or two legs that still run (with the help of prosthetics). Time, perhaps? I believe there is always time for running. Alright, here it is...the answer is...
Courage.
Yes, corny as it sounds, courage is what you need to be a runner. You need to have courage to walk out the door or to get on a treadmill. And let me let you in on a little secret:
if you start running you are a runner. You don't have to be fast or good at it. You don't have to put in a plethora of miles to get a badge that says you are a runner. You don't have to cross any finish lines or run faster than a certain pace. You just need to start. Yes, it's that simple. It's that easy.
I would love to share my stories and thoughts with you and look forward to writing more blogs in the future. I am planning on telling you things that work for me to keep me going, maybe a little nutrition information, some laughs (and some tears), things I've read about, things I think about...hell, it'll be a little bit of everything. I'd love to hear from you as well.
Until then, we'll see you at the starting line!
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