In the heat of training, and in the boredom of it all also, I've been wondering lately why it is I run at all. Yesterday, on a run (of course), I came up with the top ten reasons why I run.
Top Ten Reasons I Run
1. It makes me feel good
2. It makes my body look good
3. It is a goal I can achieve
4. It makes me feel I have achieved something each day
5. It makes me feel capable
6. It makes me feel strong
7. It makes me feel happy
8. It is - sometimes - fun
9. It is something I can do alone and something that helps clear my ahead
10. Not running is not an option
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Today, when I passed the two hour mark on my run, I was high with energy. I made it! I thought...and then I started thinking about running further. You see, whenever I pass a goal I have set for myself, I always want to push myself just a little further. What this means, is that I went for another two miles.
Although the psychology behind this is good - that if you aren't forcing yourself to finish you will overcome your expectations - biology wasn't on my side this time. I was just darn tired, and another two miles was pushing me a lot further than I had anticipated.
What was the result?
By the time I did finish those extra two miles - at a pace anyone should be ashamed of - I was angry and exhausted. The moral of this story is to stop while you're ahead (within reason, of course).
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It wasn't without fanfare that I began my training this week. I had water, and a fully loaded ipod, and even a snack or two in my pocket. All this for a 2 hour run, you say? Absolutely. At least when a two hour run is the first of many such longer runs throughout a very long training process.
Indeed, I find NOT getting good and geared up for a longer run leaves me much more unhappy afterwards. For me, it is better to tell myself I'm going to run a long way, and bring along the snacks and fuel I need to do so. Otherwise, I get tired and empty of blood sugar and just want to stop...
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