Meant to be a Runner

I have been rereading a book my wife bought me for Hanukkah that is about running and writing. It is entitled What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murkami. It is a short book at only 180 pages. But, the author has so captured so many truths about being a runner that I had to read it again immediately after I finished the book. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoys running. One of the most interesting points Murkami makes in his book is:

"I think I've been able to run for more than twenty years for a simple reason: It suits me. Or at least because I don't find it all that painful. Human beings naturally continue to do things they like, and don't continue what they don't like...People basically become runners because they are meant to."

I realized after reading this passage that he is absolutely right. I, over the years, have told friends or family that I love running and that anyone can do it. After many years of running, I became somewhat of a zealot trying to convert people to my way of life. I can even remember saying on more than one occasion that anyone could run a marathon if they just put in the training time. What I failed to realize at the time is the critical point that Murkami is making...anyone can run a marathon but they have to want to. The reality is that most "normal" humans don't want to.

Murkami’s point that we become runners because we are meant to be is equally as powerful for me. As most of you who are part of the running community know, we all have many things in common. In fact, I can tell within a few minutes of meeting someone that they are probably a runner. With a few well placed questions, I can get confirmation. This provides an immediate common bond on which we can build a camaraderie. In my line of work as a real estate negotiator, this is a very powerful tool that helps me establish a working relationship with others early in the process.

I am sure you will agree that when runners get together we talk about running with a passion. We love to share stories and experiences. We are more than happy to give new runners advice and guidance to help them train and run better. We enjoy sharing our runs with other runners whether it is a weekend long run or an actual race. It is a very unique community where we are competitors yet we want to help our fellow runners even if it means they may ultimately beat us to the finish line. Isn’t that what makes being a runner so special.

What I find truly fascinating when I speak with other runners is their reasons for running. As you can imagine everyone has different motivations for becoming a runner. I have said in the past that I began running to get into shape after college. Why I have stuck with it for over twenty five years is not because I want to get in shape (although I stay in shape through running) rather it is because I have grown to love it. In fact, I would say that it is a big part of who I am as a person. It allows me to be a part of a larger group but be able to set individual goals to strive towards and ultimately achieve. In a sense, Murkami is absolutely right...I was meant to be a runner. I just needed to take those first steps to becoming a runner.

We each must find that inner strength that enables us to push through the pain while training. If we are truly not meant to be a runner, I suspect that we will not continue running when any adverse conditions arise. If we were to get up in the morning and dread our morning run, we would need to admit that we are not a runner. In that case, we would need to go out and find another passion to pursue. There is no need to go out and punish yourself if running is not enjoyable. I know that I have found the spark of passion that makes running a major source of joy and sense of accomplishment for me on a daily basis. It comes naturally. It cannot be manufactured. I cannot make you into a runner. Only you know if you are truly meant to be a runner. If you are meant to be a runner join us out there on the road and become a part of this broad and all inclusive community.


Feb. 6 – 8.30 miles (1:17:57, 9:24 pace)
Feb. 7 – 6.20 miles (56:56, 9:11 pace)
Feb. 8 – 3.10 miles (25:10, 8:07 pace) – Speed Work
Feb. 10 – 4.50 miles (41:49, 8:03 pace) – Tempo Run
Feb. 11 – 6.10 miles (56:09, 9:11 pace)
Feb. 13 – 6.20 miles (1:01:49, 9:58 pace)
Feb. 14 – 6.20 miles (56:23, 9:06 pace)
Feb. 15 – 3.00 miles (24:18, 8:06 pace) – Speed Work
Feb. 17 – 6.20 miles (49:34, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Feb. 18 – 6.50 miles (59:24, 9:08 pace)
Feb. 19 – 7.10 miles (1:07:23, 9:30 pace)

Total Miles: 63.40 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 195.60 miles

Taking a Break from Running

I read somewhere that a runner should take a vacation from running every so often to allow his body to fully recover from the training and to rejuvenate the desire to continue running. I can honestly say that I never took more than a couple of days off from running since I started back in 1985. As you know from reading this blog I have been a bit obsessive compulsive about my running. Looking back, I probably should have taken a few breaks from my training to properly recover from some of the minor injuries I suffered early on in my running life. However, Mother Nature had a bit of a surprise for me this winter forcing me to take a break from running.

For those who have not been following the news, we have had waves of winter storms each week since Christmas. My yard looks a lot like the North Pole with snow piled up over 2 feet and drifts as high as 4 feet. Icicles are hanging off my gutters like the Sword of Damocles ready to fall and put me out of my misery from this frozen wasteland I now call home. I am surprised a family of elves have not taken up residence in my mother-in-law suite. Needless to say the snow piles on the sides of the road make running even more hazardous than normal. This made me think twice about getting out on the roads the last couple of weeks.

I have only run a couple of days in the last 2 weeks for two reasons. First, running on the roads is dangerous and hazardous to my well being. Second, the roads have been so treacherous in the mornings; I can’t safely drive to the YMCA to run on the treadmill or indoor track. Therefore, I have accepted Mother Nature’s directive to stay indoors and relax. Not an easy proposition for me. There have been days that I was on edge and cranky because I could not get my run in that day.
Needless to say, I have really missed getting out there on the road. But, at the same time, I have enjoyed relaxing and letting my body recover. I did get my heart rate up during this layoff period as I was performing in “Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and dancing quite a bit during the rehearsals and performances. Based on my soreness each day, I was definitely using muscles I don’t normally use. This made me feel like I was not losing any of my fitness level during the layoff.

On Monday of this week, I finally went out for a run. It was really nice to get back on the road. I can say with conviction that this short two week layoff came with good results. Muscles that I have been feeling some twinges of pain were pain free on this first run. I feel like all of the other minor nicks, bruises and soreness had time to heal fully. I am hoping that this will mean I can run injury free the rest of the year. More importantly, I felt a real enthusiasm to get up early and out into the cold dark morning for my run. Something I had not felt in some time.

I am planning to run a fall marathon and want to be able to put in the training through the spring and summer. I did not run a long distance race last year with the exception of the B.A.A. Half Marathon which did not exactly go as I had planned. I actually submitted a lottery entry request to the New York City Marathon a couple of weeks ago. Fingers crossed. I want to be able to say I ran in some of the biggest marathons in the United States when I finally stop racing. If I don’t get into the lottery there, I am looking at Philadelphia as the backup plan. Either way, I know that this little respite has given me that feeling of excitement about training again. Now, I need to get back out on the road and log some miles.

Jan. 16 – 10.20 miles (1:31:47, 9:00 pace)
Jan. 17 – 6.80 miles (1:02:28, 9:11 pace)
Jan. 20 – 5.20 miles (48:31, 9:10 pace)
Jan. 31 – 6.20 miles (56:20, 9:05 pace)
Feb. 3 – 6.20 miles (48:52, 7:53 pace) -- Tempo Run
Feb. 4 – 6.20 miles (58:33, 9:27 pace)

Total Miles: 40.80 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 132.20 miles