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!
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