One of the things that's been on my mind lately: I've taken to calling myself a "runner." I don't know when that happened. For a long time, anytime anyone called me a runner, I'd say, oh no, I wouldn't go that far, it's just a hobby. But somewhere in between the 3rd and 4th marathon, I've started to adopt the title. Someone asks "oh, you're a runner?" and my response will be, "yes."
But am I?
what IS a runner anyway? I am and always will be a human being. And a girl. But will I always be a runner? Am I runner if I stop doing marathons? Am I a runner if I never compete in any races? Am I a runner if I never qualify for any race? Am I a runner if I don't like to run in the rain (I don't)? Am I a runner if I wear Nikes? What about if I run barefoot? What about if I run really slow?
What makes someone a runner? I can't figure it out and I can't figure out why I'm suddenly comfortable calling myself one. It seems cocky and a bit insulting to all the real runners out there to give myself a title like this. But then again...what distinguishes a "real runner" from me? I can only think of 2 things:
1. speed
2. endorsements
And perhaps real runners don't even consider things like this. Maybe they just know.
Can I ever overcome the hurdles I've set up for myself and finally allow myself to just be "runner?"
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Why are you running a marathon?
As marathon season really kicks in, I do more reading on the subject. I was reading something (I don't remember what) and it asked the very annoying question: why are you running a marathon?
Well geez. That's actually kind of tough to answer.
I mean...why 26.2 miles? We all know WHY that's a marathon distance but why is that the distance that I personally am choosing to run? Is it because I want to compete? No...I'm actually not an incredibly competitive person (although research DOES indicate that I can run a marathon faster than Ted Koppel, Al Gore, AND Oprah and this makes me feel ridiculously proud...I don't think this necessarily counts as competitive. It's more bratty than anything). Is it because after 26.2 miles my body just gives up? Well no, obviously it doesn't since I managed 43 miles earlier this year.
Is it because I love torturing my friends and family by making them sit out in the sun/rain/heat/cold for hours just to glimpse me for 30 seconds? No, I really do feel guilty about that sometimes.
I really can't put my finger on "why" I decided it would be a good idea to do this. It's just a part of me now. It's what I do. I run marathons and they pull me in, time after time. Even when it hurts. Even when training is inconvenient. I just can't resist the thought of a marathon.
Well geez. That's actually kind of tough to answer.
I mean...why 26.2 miles? We all know WHY that's a marathon distance but why is that the distance that I personally am choosing to run? Is it because I want to compete? No...I'm actually not an incredibly competitive person (although research DOES indicate that I can run a marathon faster than Ted Koppel, Al Gore, AND Oprah and this makes me feel ridiculously proud...I don't think this necessarily counts as competitive. It's more bratty than anything). Is it because after 26.2 miles my body just gives up? Well no, obviously it doesn't since I managed 43 miles earlier this year.
Is it because I love torturing my friends and family by making them sit out in the sun/rain/heat/cold for hours just to glimpse me for 30 seconds? No, I really do feel guilty about that sometimes.
I really can't put my finger on "why" I decided it would be a good idea to do this. It's just a part of me now. It's what I do. I run marathons and they pull me in, time after time. Even when it hurts. Even when training is inconvenient. I just can't resist the thought of a marathon.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Napa Valley or Edinburgh?
So I'm slowly getting over the crushing depression caused by the Boston Marathon already being full. I mean, am I really even ready to run a marathon in 3:40? Could I even do it? Did I train well enough? Will I ever be able to conquer this goal wearing the restrictive shoes of our generation? Surely I will be able to do this after I switch to barefoot running?
Originally, I assumed that I'd sign up for the DC marathon in March. I like it, I know it, it's where I PRed. But I'm kind of curious to do other marathons. There are a lot of spring and fall marathons, but you have to pick and choose them because it's not like I'm able to do them every other week (physical toll too high, finances too low). So I did some investigating and here are the two frontrunners:
Napa Valley Marathon
Edinburgh Marathon
Thoughts? Opinions? Please vote, which one is best?!?
(Oh by the way...London in out since I didn't get in the international ballot :( I'm striking out with the ones I originally thought I wanted)
Originally, I assumed that I'd sign up for the DC marathon in March. I like it, I know it, it's where I PRed. But I'm kind of curious to do other marathons. There are a lot of spring and fall marathons, but you have to pick and choose them because it's not like I'm able to do them every other week (physical toll too high, finances too low). So I did some investigating and here are the two frontrunners:
Napa Valley Marathon
Edinburgh Marathon
Thoughts? Opinions? Please vote, which one is best?!?
(Oh by the way...London in out since I didn't get in the international ballot :( I'm striking out with the ones I originally thought I wanted)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
FAIL
I have failed my stated marathon goal ALREADY and I haven't even run the race!!!
Boston is full!
No one new can register for Boston 2011!
Even if I qualify, I can't go!
Feeling pretty bummed out right now...
Boston is full!
No one new can register for Boston 2011!
Even if I qualify, I can't go!
Feeling pretty bummed out right now...
Common Sense
It is, unfortunately, starting to become fall and then winter. When I get up in the morning, it is dark. When I leave the office at the end of the day, it is dark. When I go out at lunchtime, I have to wear a coat. I am sad.
My training is currently in "taper" mode so that I don't overtrain before the marathon (10 days away!!!!!!!!!!!!), so I'm not doing a ton of extremely long runs. But whenever I leave my house on weekdays now, I have to wear bright clothing and my reflective vest. Because it's DARK outside, this seems like common sense to me. Cars + cyclists = danger. Even in daylight these are two categories of transportation that inspire the least amount of caution. No one can drive in DC (it's proven, google it, we have the worst drivers) and the cyclists are all...well...assholes. Let's face it. They kind of have to be to survive the horrible drivers, but it irritates the heck out of me when I'm running because they decide that no matter where they are riding, on the street, on the sidewalk, on the grass, on your treadmill, that they are the ones who get the right of way. My dream is to flip off a cyclist one day when they ding their stupid bell at me, but I'm afraid that they will grab my middle finger and drag me to the ground so I restrain myself.
I'm sorry, this is really not a post about how much I hate people on bicycles...
This is a post about how stupid runners can be.
So I'm out in my reflective vest, sometimes I even throw a little light on just to be extra safe, and I see runners wearing ALL BLACK. Black leggings, black shirt. And headphones. Scampering around the city like they own it and it just blows my mind. How would that EVER seem like a good idea? Black is slimming yes. Getting run over by a truck is also slimming in that you're squashed against the pavement.
I can't decide if there needs to be more awareness efforts (Lululemon, do you sell stylish reflective vests yet?) or what, but it's really amazing to me how many people are out there in their headphones and black spandex thinking that the DC cab drivers are going to be paying enough attention to stop in time. It just gives runners everywhere a bad name and is dangerous to boot.
Can anyone offer some insight into what these people are thinking?
My training is currently in "taper" mode so that I don't overtrain before the marathon (10 days away!!!!!!!!!!!!), so I'm not doing a ton of extremely long runs. But whenever I leave my house on weekdays now, I have to wear bright clothing and my reflective vest. Because it's DARK outside, this seems like common sense to me. Cars + cyclists = danger. Even in daylight these are two categories of transportation that inspire the least amount of caution. No one can drive in DC (it's proven, google it, we have the worst drivers) and the cyclists are all...well...assholes. Let's face it. They kind of have to be to survive the horrible drivers, but it irritates the heck out of me when I'm running because they decide that no matter where they are riding, on the street, on the sidewalk, on the grass, on your treadmill, that they are the ones who get the right of way. My dream is to flip off a cyclist one day when they ding their stupid bell at me, but I'm afraid that they will grab my middle finger and drag me to the ground so I restrain myself.
I'm sorry, this is really not a post about how much I hate people on bicycles...
This is a post about how stupid runners can be.
So I'm out in my reflective vest, sometimes I even throw a little light on just to be extra safe, and I see runners wearing ALL BLACK. Black leggings, black shirt. And headphones. Scampering around the city like they own it and it just blows my mind. How would that EVER seem like a good idea? Black is slimming yes. Getting run over by a truck is also slimming in that you're squashed against the pavement.
I can't decide if there needs to be more awareness efforts (Lululemon, do you sell stylish reflective vests yet?) or what, but it's really amazing to me how many people are out there in their headphones and black spandex thinking that the DC cab drivers are going to be paying enough attention to stop in time. It just gives runners everywhere a bad name and is dangerous to boot.
Can anyone offer some insight into what these people are thinking?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Musings
I know that I promised an exciting article about the book "Born to Run" but since I bought it on Barnes & Noble.com, somehow downloaded it to my ipod, and now lost it, I have not been able to finish listening to it. Technology and me, grr. We do not get along.
Besides, I have so many other insights that come from ME and not from someone else's book, so if you really want to know what is so great about "Born to Run" go buy yourself a copy for goodness sake. (Or just wait until I get around to posting my thoughts on it...)
On Sunday, I went to a Yoga for Runners workshop. It was with my favorite yoga instructor and was fun for several reasons:
1. the actual amount of yoga done was extremely limited
2. everyone in the room was a runner and not a yogi, so it was noisy, fun, and no one was really able to do anything correctly the first time.
3. because the room was full of people who had probably never done yoga before, I felt very accomplished in my own yoga history.
The stretches were runner-centric and made us all feel like it was okay to have tight hamstrings.
But...OK. I'm totally going to bring it some anecdotes from the book. In "Born to Run," there is a line that sticks in my brain - you don't need to do yoga. You don't even need to STRETCH AT ALL to become a better, faster runner.
CAN WE ALL JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ALL ALONG?????
Now, let's try to decide who is right. My favorite yoga instructor, who I really like and respect, kept talking about the benefits of stretching and even brought out a skeleton to illustrate her points on why muscles that are connected can cause great injury if you treat them badly. And I totally get that. I totally understand the explanation but my body does not respond well to stretching. Yesterday I went running less than 24 hours after the yoga class and felt MORE TIGHT than I had in weeks.
I mean, maybe there is something to be said for constant yoga and stretching, but I still just can't get behind it. I can't find the drive to do that. The whole time, it's just a constant hum in my brain: "I'd rather be running."
Besides, I have so many other insights that come from ME and not from someone else's book, so if you really want to know what is so great about "Born to Run" go buy yourself a copy for goodness sake. (Or just wait until I get around to posting my thoughts on it...)
On Sunday, I went to a Yoga for Runners workshop. It was with my favorite yoga instructor and was fun for several reasons:
1. the actual amount of yoga done was extremely limited
2. everyone in the room was a runner and not a yogi, so it was noisy, fun, and no one was really able to do anything correctly the first time.
3. because the room was full of people who had probably never done yoga before, I felt very accomplished in my own yoga history.
The stretches were runner-centric and made us all feel like it was okay to have tight hamstrings.
But...OK. I'm totally going to bring it some anecdotes from the book. In "Born to Run," there is a line that sticks in my brain - you don't need to do yoga. You don't even need to STRETCH AT ALL to become a better, faster runner.
CAN WE ALL JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ALL ALONG?????
Now, let's try to decide who is right. My favorite yoga instructor, who I really like and respect, kept talking about the benefits of stretching and even brought out a skeleton to illustrate her points on why muscles that are connected can cause great injury if you treat them badly. And I totally get that. I totally understand the explanation but my body does not respond well to stretching. Yesterday I went running less than 24 hours after the yoga class and felt MORE TIGHT than I had in weeks.
I mean, maybe there is something to be said for constant yoga and stretching, but I still just can't get behind it. I can't find the drive to do that. The whole time, it's just a constant hum in my brain: "I'd rather be running."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Back in the game
Wow...I am pathetic. No blog posts since JULY?!?
First: how is it suddenly October 12?
Second: how did I miss blogging my 24 hour race?
Third: how can I be doing a marathon in 19 days?
Lots of questions are running through my head now. I can't answer all of them. For example: I cannot answer my first question. That's just the way it is. Time passes and suddenly you find yourself in October. No one asks you if you want a little more time in August. Time just goes, goes, goes, goes.
How did I miss blogging my 24 hour race? Shame mostly. I did a mere 43 miles instead of the 52 that I wanted. How could I possibly face you after such shame?
Haha...I actually have a completely positive opinion of my 24 hour race. I had the BEST TIME EVER. All day, just running, surrounded by runners and the people who love them. My parents spent ALL DAY with me, supporting me and my mom even ran my last 8 mile lap with me ("ran" is a nice way of putting it...by that point I was kind of limping). I learned a few key lessons. We stopped at the hotel midway and that was where I crashed. I need to stay in the zone the whole time and not back into the real world. The world that I run in is very different from the real world.
In general, I wholeheartedly recommend doing a 24 hour race if you love running. It really inspires you and makes you feel like you have accomplished something great.
Ok, that was the 24 hour race. Now, the Marine Corps Marathon looms large on Halloween. Having made my goal to qualify for Boston, this race has been especially terrifying. I don't want to fail. The worst part about not wanting to fail is that it makes you not want to try. If you don't try, then you can at least say that it was possible. If you try and fail, then you're just a big fat failure. It wasn't possible. You couldn't do it and you didn't. On the other hand, if I try, at least I get to run a marathon. I really do hate time goals and qualifying events. If only I hadn't gotten it in my head that it would be a good idea to try for this...now I can't get it out.
I am currently reading the book Born to Run. It's pretty much changing my life. I am fully expecting to write an entry soon about barefoot running. Stay tuned.
First: how is it suddenly October 12?
Second: how did I miss blogging my 24 hour race?
Third: how can I be doing a marathon in 19 days?
Lots of questions are running through my head now. I can't answer all of them. For example: I cannot answer my first question. That's just the way it is. Time passes and suddenly you find yourself in October. No one asks you if you want a little more time in August. Time just goes, goes, goes, goes.
How did I miss blogging my 24 hour race? Shame mostly. I did a mere 43 miles instead of the 52 that I wanted. How could I possibly face you after such shame?
Haha...I actually have a completely positive opinion of my 24 hour race. I had the BEST TIME EVER. All day, just running, surrounded by runners and the people who love them. My parents spent ALL DAY with me, supporting me and my mom even ran my last 8 mile lap with me ("ran" is a nice way of putting it...by that point I was kind of limping). I learned a few key lessons. We stopped at the hotel midway and that was where I crashed. I need to stay in the zone the whole time and not back into the real world. The world that I run in is very different from the real world.
In general, I wholeheartedly recommend doing a 24 hour race if you love running. It really inspires you and makes you feel like you have accomplished something great.
Ok, that was the 24 hour race. Now, the Marine Corps Marathon looms large on Halloween. Having made my goal to qualify for Boston, this race has been especially terrifying. I don't want to fail. The worst part about not wanting to fail is that it makes you not want to try. If you don't try, then you can at least say that it was possible. If you try and fail, then you're just a big fat failure. It wasn't possible. You couldn't do it and you didn't. On the other hand, if I try, at least I get to run a marathon. I really do hate time goals and qualifying events. If only I hadn't gotten it in my head that it would be a good idea to try for this...now I can't get it out.
I am currently reading the book Born to Run. It's pretty much changing my life. I am fully expecting to write an entry soon about barefoot running. Stay tuned.
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