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...

Reason for Running #3 --- Measurability

Running is an easy sport that you can see improvement in quickly. Especially in the areas of endurance, form, breathing, and overall fatigue. When you first start out you may only be able to run a quarter mile before you are huffing and puffing and conking out, however if you stick with it regularly, you will notice how quickly that quarter mile goes to a half, and how the half goes to a full. Progress in the area of endurance is easily noticed, but progress in form, breathing, and fatigue is more subtle.

When I started running, I had the worst form in the world. Running flat footed all the time, someone could hear me from nearly a mile away. Over time, I did not notice any difference until my mother pointed out how much smoother my stride had gotten and how the steps appear to be more floating rather than stomping. That was a great feeling when she told me that.

Another measurable component in running is timing. I did not actual start running until I was a junior in high school, however when entering my freshman year I joined JROTC and said that I would beat my brother's mile and a half Personal Fitness Test time of 9:04. "Yeah Right!" My first P.T. test time was over 16 minutes (Freshman Year), around 13 minutes (Sophomore Year), and then in my junior year I ran 8:41 for the mile and a half test. It can be done, and it can be measured. Every time you run for time does not mean that you will improve, but over time you should notice improvement based on effort. I still prefer endurance as my favorite test of measurability, because as one gets older, times do slow down.

Run On! Each step will increase to another...

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...

Reason for Running #1 --- HEALTH

I felt that this would be a great way to start out the reasons for running blog. About two years ago, June 2007, my father was suffering from pneumonia which apparently triggered a minor heart attack! Fortunately for him, he was a runner and had a pretty strong ticker, yet this attack has left him with a series of ailments for the past two years. He is not able to run like he use to and may never get down to the 5k times that he once was doing, but as long as he keeps at it, his doctors have told him that it will help push through the course of heart disease that he is suffering from, Cardiomyopathy.

Prior to that summer I was pretty competitive into running myself, at least in the road racing scene, and I was always worried about getting better and faster. That is good motivation, until you hit a plateau of sorts. I stopped running about a year before my dad had his heart attack and put on quite a bit of weight, from 165 to about 240, in a year and a half. After the heart attack I realized that I was not as healthy as I once was and being the ripe old age of 25 and a half, I thought I should do something about it! I am now running for health rather than time improvements (though they are still nice to achieve). I have hopes that one day, hopefully not, should I have trouble with my heart, the doctors will tell me that running quite possibly saved my life, like it possibly did for my father. I am proud to say that I am now down to 185 pounds and trying to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, centered around running.

The first reason to run is for Health! No it does not guarantee that you will not suffer health related problems, but it definitely can't hurt!

Run on! Enjoy the start of a warm running season!