Obsessively Running...

As of today, I am only 35 days away from the start of the Boston Marathon. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I received the confirmation from Dana-Farber that I was going to be a part of their team this year. But, it was almost 5 months ago. I guess I just didn’t think about the time passing as I was so focused on my training schedule. This brings me to the topic I wanted to write about this week – the obsessive compulsive need to get in every work out on your training schedule no matter what.

I hate to admit that I am one of those people who hate to miss a work-out. I am not saying that I have not had to miss a run or run a shorter distance during my training for the various marathons or other distance races I have trained for. I certainly have on numerous occasions (usually caused by work travel) missed a run. The problem arises when I perform below my personal expectations on race day and I attribute it to those missed runs. In essence blaming missed work outs for not meeting my personal goal.

Some would classify this as a sign of an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). I have to agree that in some small way it is a sign of OCD. Obviously, it is something I have to deal with in a positive way. I have come to realize that missing a run or two during a 4 month training program does not have any real effect on my performance in the race. So, I have taught myself to be less obsessive about getting in each and every run. I have even been able to accept the fact that some days I am just not going to have a good run for what ever reason. I simply need to accept that fact and try to run just for the shear joy of being out on the road.

I am sure most runners can sympathize with my plight. If you find that you are missing work or school, skipping social events, not going out with friends, limiting your food intake and sacrificing sleep to get your runs in, you are starting to build your life around your running. This is not a good sign. I truly believe that running is a part of my life…not my life. Therefore, you should not feel anxious or stressed out when you miss a run. If you do, you are starting to behave in a way that is extreme and unhealthy. It can lead to injury. I cannot stress enough that running should be a fun and enjoyable thing not a chore.

My advice (which I need to remind myself of at times) is that if you miss a run on your schedule just cross it off and don’t think about it again. And under no circumstances should you double up the next day to make up for your missed run. I know it is hard. I have been there. But try to go back to the real reason you started running in the first place. You ran because it was enjoyable. As George Sheehan wrote "The things we do with our bodies should be done merely because they are fun-not because they serve some serious purpose. If we are not doing something that is enjoyable on its own account we should look for something that is."

I am sure some of my teammates are already stressing out about the perceived lack of time to finish preparing for this marathon. I am unusually calm this time. I know I will get a few butterflies when I toe the starting line. But, I am planning to run this marathon because it will be fun. I know that I am also running it to serve the “serious purpose” of helping to raise money to find a cure for cancer. That should not override the shear joy of running from Hopkinton to downtown Boston passing thousands of spectators who will be cheering us all on. As I run on April 20th, I will remind myself that running enhances and adds to my life and nothing can change that basic truth.

Here are my training totals for this week. :

Mar. 8 – 10.00 miles (1:28:15, 8:49 pace)
Mar. 9 – 8.10 miles (1:14:14, 9:10 pace)
Mar. 10 – 9.50 miles (1:29:40, 9:26 pace) – 6 x 1 Mile Repeats w/1/2 mi recovery between
Mar. 11 – 9.00 miles (1:21:37, 9:04 pace) – Tempo
Mar. 13 – 7.10 miles (1:05:46, 9:12 pace)
Mar. 14 – 8.10 miles (1:10:50, 8:44 pace)

Total Miles: 51.80 miles
2009 YTD Miles: 464.00 miles