It has been some time since I have made a post to my Reasons for Running blog and I believe that part of the reason for this is because I found running to become very stale... Not that I was not running, it was just hard to find the motivation to write about it and inspire others, if that is what I am doing. The other reason is life has gotten busy.
Recently my wife and I have tried a couple of the obstacle run events and I must say that has jump started a new found interest in running. Also about 2 years ago I got inspiration from an old friend to start racing again (though nowhere near as fast as I once was), thank you Adrian. I hope that we will be able to run several more races together.
Now that the mushy stuff is behind me, I would like to say that I am training for my second marathon. I plan to run this Marathon on November 9th, 2013, and I am stuck between a choice of two. The first choice being the Soldier Marathon in Columbus Georgia and the second being the Rock and Roll Marathon in Savannah Georgia. Please feel free to make you suggestions. I have been building some base mileage the past few weeks and will be jumping into some series training over the summer months. I hope that it does not burn me out, LITERALLY!!! Running in Georgia in the summer is HOT!.
I am so thankful that I have a support group in my wife, daughter and parents as I begin this bold step toward training for a very difficult running distance. I hope to track my progress through this blog and possibly on Facebook.
We all need reasons to run and I am working on finding mine all over again!!!
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Friday, August 13, 2010
Reason for Running #11 --- Weight Control
This reason could be considered a branch off of my first reason for running: Health. I recently got on the scale and was not happy with what the numbers looking up at me. At that point I knew I had to do something about my weight and what better method of getting the weight off than getting back to running. I have taken quite a bit of time off lately, hence the jump in weight, but getting motivated in this heat is like trying to sleep on a bed of thorns... not going to happen.
After tipping the scales at the beginning of the month, I felt it was time to work on my diet and start a decent exercise routine. As always I wanted to get out the door and start running 6 or more miles a day, but that is unrealistic in this weather and at my current fitness level. Out of the thirteen days so far this month I have only exercised about half of them. All on the treadmill or stationary bike in the house, but that has been enough to notice a difference in my energy levels and on the scale. Its not like I have lost a person or anything, but a few pounds a week is enough to keep me motivated.
With the weight starting to come off, the energy levels going up, I am hoping to move from the indoor running/biking to outdoor running/biking. I need to begin reflecting back on some of my previous posts and work toward some specific goals. Would be happy to hear input from everyone out there who may read these posts. Thank you for following in my really sporadic postings. I believe that I may start posting more about running and goals, not always reasons, but what is currently taking place in the running world around me.
After tipping the scales at the beginning of the month, I felt it was time to work on my diet and start a decent exercise routine. As always I wanted to get out the door and start running 6 or more miles a day, but that is unrealistic in this weather and at my current fitness level. Out of the thirteen days so far this month I have only exercised about half of them. All on the treadmill or stationary bike in the house, but that has been enough to notice a difference in my energy levels and on the scale. Its not like I have lost a person or anything, but a few pounds a week is enough to keep me motivated.
With the weight starting to come off, the energy levels going up, I am hoping to move from the indoor running/biking to outdoor running/biking. I need to begin reflecting back on some of my previous posts and work toward some specific goals. Would be happy to hear input from everyone out there who may read these posts. Thank you for following in my really sporadic postings. I believe that I may start posting more about running and goals, not always reasons, but what is currently taking place in the running world around me.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Reason for Running #9 --- Friendships
Running is a sport that can be approached from many different avenues. Many people run for the solidarity and time to reflect on the day, while others run to be a part of something that is continuing to grow among the world. I have mentioned before my reasons for starting running were centered around getting in shape for soccer, but I really started running after high school. That is when I started to understand the sport better and I had an amazing support and motivational group all around me that I never knew were there. First and foremost is my family, my father especially, he and I were able to become the best of friends through running. We could talk about anything during our runs together, usually things that were bothering me or football, but we still became closer in those first few years that I got him into running.
Then there was Jeff, one of my best friends and running partner, quite possibly one of the most driven and crazy runners that I have met. We had our friendly competitions and we were very encouraging to one another. He ran a marathon long before I did. Through him I met the group that my parents refer to as "The Running Bee" (like the Quilting Bee for runners). We called them this because during there runs, I don't think they ever ran out of stuff to talk about, encouraging us younger runners and challenging us in races (its bad when a 19 year old gets beat by 50+ year olds, but it happened...alot), this group was very tight knit group and they welcomed us with open arms, teaching us what they knew and telling us stories. Doran and I still remain friends and anytime I ask him, I am sure he would be willing to go for an easy 8 to 16...(no Birtha Hills authorized). Jeff and I then met Adrian who was not quite into running the way that we were, but he quickly picked up on the running fever that we had and became all about the competitions and races...and I know he loved beating me in his hometown race in Jasper and then the several races following. At one point he had become a part of the goal my father and I set to run a race in every state, but circumstances came between our friendship and unfortunately cut out a wonderful running buddy from my list of buddies. Who knows maybe he will get back into the racing scene and finish the states... My running buddy list died out as we all started getting older and going our separate ways, however, others have come into the picture.
Helping others is also a great way to build lasting friendships, sharing your knowledge, experience and drive with others helps to keep them motivated and staying with the support. And running with people of various levels and abilities help both you and them stay on the path of a healthier lifestyle. Starsha has been a supportive running partner who will call me up for a run when I am least wanting to do it, but she manages to convince me that we can do a couple miles, which in turn ends up being 4 to 6 and I feel great at the end of the run. She also likes to push competitions quite a bit, like running a race every month and such. I think she is just hoping to beat me and more races means more chances. She even made me run a race hurt to increase her chances...Okay so I did that on my own, but still...
Each of the people I have run with in the past and those that I will run with in the future hold a special place in my running career and have impacted me in one way or another. There was the group that helped me get back into running and lose my weight that I gained over the years I took off, the group that encourages me to race and push myself, those that encourage me to get out the door on that dreaded lazy day, and those that need me to help them get started or stay motivated. There is almost no end to the possibilities of friendships that can be started through a simple activity such as running.
Run On! Bring a friend along...
Then there was Jeff, one of my best friends and running partner, quite possibly one of the most driven and crazy runners that I have met. We had our friendly competitions and we were very encouraging to one another. He ran a marathon long before I did. Through him I met the group that my parents refer to as "The Running Bee" (like the Quilting Bee for runners). We called them this because during there runs, I don't think they ever ran out of stuff to talk about, encouraging us younger runners and challenging us in races (its bad when a 19 year old gets beat by 50+ year olds, but it happened...alot), this group was very tight knit group and they welcomed us with open arms, teaching us what they knew and telling us stories. Doran and I still remain friends and anytime I ask him, I am sure he would be willing to go for an easy 8 to 16...(no Birtha Hills authorized). Jeff and I then met Adrian who was not quite into running the way that we were, but he quickly picked up on the running fever that we had and became all about the competitions and races...and I know he loved beating me in his hometown race in Jasper and then the several races following. At one point he had become a part of the goal my father and I set to run a race in every state, but circumstances came between our friendship and unfortunately cut out a wonderful running buddy from my list of buddies. Who knows maybe he will get back into the racing scene and finish the states... My running buddy list died out as we all started getting older and going our separate ways, however, others have come into the picture.
Helping others is also a great way to build lasting friendships, sharing your knowledge, experience and drive with others helps to keep them motivated and staying with the support. And running with people of various levels and abilities help both you and them stay on the path of a healthier lifestyle. Starsha has been a supportive running partner who will call me up for a run when I am least wanting to do it, but she manages to convince me that we can do a couple miles, which in turn ends up being 4 to 6 and I feel great at the end of the run. She also likes to push competitions quite a bit, like running a race every month and such. I think she is just hoping to beat me and more races means more chances. She even made me run a race hurt to increase her chances...Okay so I did that on my own, but still...
Each of the people I have run with in the past and those that I will run with in the future hold a special place in my running career and have impacted me in one way or another. There was the group that helped me get back into running and lose my weight that I gained over the years I took off, the group that encourages me to race and push myself, those that encourage me to get out the door on that dreaded lazy day, and those that need me to help them get started or stay motivated. There is almost no end to the possibilities of friendships that can be started through a simple activity such as running.
Run On! Bring a friend along...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Reason for Running #4 --- Goals
Today was national running day (well yesterday technically at this point) and during my run today I was thinking about more to add to my reasons why I run... Goals stood out in my mind more than anything. Not just time goals, race goals, or even just running goals, but goals in general. In order to move forward we must have a desitination. I heard on a movie (Peaceful Warrior) that the journey is what makes us happy, not the destination. When it comes to running, each of us set a goal, whether it be as simple as I am going to run today, or I am going to do this workout today. We always have a destination or goal in mind and we strive to achieve it. I have found that I tend to try to make those goals and destinations for others as much as I do myself and it can sometimes take the joys out of running for other people. I wanted my dad to run at least 5 minutes today, but was not taking into consideration that his back is still hurting him. What is the difference between 3 miles and 5 miles? To some... not much, but to others it could be a foot injury, or shin splint that can take them out of running for a given length of time. Each person should set their goals within their own realistic grasp... Unfortunately we all make mistakes when it comes to goal setting. In December 2008 I said that I would run a marathon on January 17th... I failed (only did the half) and I got hurt.
Goals are a good thing, but if you do not reach your goal today, do not stop tomorrow, always continue on that journey; that is what brings us the happiness. Never give up on the destination though. Every year thousands of people, if not millions, set New Year's resolutions (goals in disguise) and by March most have given up on their goals. Do you know why? Because they set a long term goal, but can only stay on track for a short time. Instead of saying in 2009 I will lose 50 pounds, set small goals like I will lose 5 pounds in 6 weeks. Just think, if one achieves this goal every 6 weeks, by the end of the year they will have lost 40 pounds... pretty close to that long term goal of 50 pounds. With running it is no different. If you want to run a marathon in December, but your longest race to date had been a 5k, start with small goals, like I will run a 10k in 2 months... Start small and you will reach the big goal.
Big goals for me include a marathon on every continent, an ultra run of 50 miles and 100 miles plus. Guess what...those will not happen anytime soon. Right now I am working with goals of increasing my miles each week. That means more and more time running and better time management. With each goal, sacrifices much be made, as well as accomodations for other activities.
Run On! Set goals and get out there...
Goals are a good thing, but if you do not reach your goal today, do not stop tomorrow, always continue on that journey; that is what brings us the happiness. Never give up on the destination though. Every year thousands of people, if not millions, set New Year's resolutions (goals in disguise) and by March most have given up on their goals. Do you know why? Because they set a long term goal, but can only stay on track for a short time. Instead of saying in 2009 I will lose 50 pounds, set small goals like I will lose 5 pounds in 6 weeks. Just think, if one achieves this goal every 6 weeks, by the end of the year they will have lost 40 pounds... pretty close to that long term goal of 50 pounds. With running it is no different. If you want to run a marathon in December, but your longest race to date had been a 5k, start with small goals, like I will run a 10k in 2 months... Start small and you will reach the big goal.
Big goals for me include a marathon on every continent, an ultra run of 50 miles and 100 miles plus. Guess what...those will not happen anytime soon. Right now I am working with goals of increasing my miles each week. That means more and more time running and better time management. With each goal, sacrifices much be made, as well as accomodations for other activities.
Run On! Set goals and get out there...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Reason for Running #2 --- Accomplishment
For anyone who has ever looked at someone running and said, "there is no way I could do that..." That is not a true statement! Most everyone can run! And the feeling you get when you do is amazing. You feel like you have accomplished something. Improved you health (see Reason for Running #1) or just had time to think. The first step is to get over the mental block of the "I can't" and get out there and start. You don't have to be able to go a full marathon on day one, but you could accomplish a 100 meters while and walking the rest. The first step toward accomplishing a running goal is to get out and start.
There have been many runners that have felt the urge to quit (I was one of them, even did for a while), but then they have a chance to reflect on everything that running has done or can do for them and it is the motivation that they need in order to get out there and do it. Don't get me wrong, there are many days where I feel like not running at all, but if I can tell myself to just go for 10 minutes, its amazing how quickly I can accomplish a run of 6 or more miles. Get out there and run, feel the sense of accomplishment you get from being a runner. It is a wonderful feeling to be the one running rather than the person saying, "I could never do that."
Run on! You really can...
There have been many runners that have felt the urge to quit (I was one of them, even did for a while), but then they have a chance to reflect on everything that running has done or can do for them and it is the motivation that they need in order to get out there and do it. Don't get me wrong, there are many days where I feel like not running at all, but if I can tell myself to just go for 10 minutes, its amazing how quickly I can accomplish a run of 6 or more miles. Get out there and run, feel the sense of accomplishment you get from being a runner. It is a wonderful feeling to be the one running rather than the person saying, "I could never do that."
Run on! You really can...
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