Throughout the 34 years I have been running, I see that this sport changes, pushes and challenges me. No matter the outcome of a training run or race, I know that running also rewards me. Best of all, running allows me to be healthy and to live my life to its fullest. I like to say this Jewish blessing each day when I get done with my training:
Blessed are You, our God, Spirit of the World, who wisely formed the human body. You created it with openings here and vessels there. You know well that should even one of these stay opened, or one of those stay closed, we could not long survive. Blessed are You, Healer of all flesh, who makes the wonders of creation.Here are the things running provides me and that makes me thankful that it is an intricate part of my life:
- Running forces me to push myself beyond my limits. To grow, I must embrace discomfort. My training runs and schedules put me in uncomfortable situations. As I push myself, I am a bit uncomfortable and scared. I still wonder at times whether or not I will be able to complete my training run or race distance. But running has proved to me that I can push further than I ever imagined. I now know that when I am in a state of discomfort I am growing and ultimately can achieve my greatest potential. My life is better because it is led with a healthy balance of comfort and adventure.
- Running allows me to always feel like myself no matter where I am. I have run in all 50 states, Italy, Poland, The Czech Republic, Germany, Canada and Puerto Rico. Running has helped me feel like myself with each change in my life because of the consistency it brings. Running is my anchor. I wake up most days and regardless of the pressure and pain in my life I know that when I am out on the road running, I feel happy, free, and like me.
- Running allows me to be out in nature. Even though I run on the treadmill to get in specific training goals, I am much happier when I am outside. No matter where I run, when I am in the outdoors, I can observe the wonderful and beautiful world I live in. I find that I get excited when I am running in a different environment. While I am running, I enjoy the trees, animals, the stars, sun, clouds or the rare rain shower. I use this time to contemplate and become one with nature. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to get to know all of this because of running. I have vowed to never take the world’s beauty for granted.
- Running provides me strong connections with others. I have found that my running bonds me with so many people. Running provides a connection with other runners that feels unbreakable. I have shared many experiences with family and friends finding that it helps to develop a deep connection with each of them. It is a time and place that only we know and have experienced together. When I am out on the road or in a race, I find that just sharing a smile or wave from a fellow runner is all the encouragement I need to keep going.
- Running helps me solve problems at work and in my life. I am not sure how many problems I have solved on a run but there are many. I have come up with ideas for my blog, discovered a compromise for a seemingly unsolvable problem, ways to rework my schedule to fit in both work and personal commitments, or simply deciding how to handle a difficult situation. Running gives me the quiet time I need to be able to gather my thoughts. Some of my best ideas have come during my runs.
- Running helps me reduce stress and anger. Running has been the healthiest stress reliever I have ever found. When I find myself so stressed or angry, I know the best option to eliminate the feeling is to stop and go for a run. Those runs give me the time to de-stress and calm down. I have never returned from a run not feeling calmer and more focused. My friends and family can tell when I have not had a chance to get in a run. My mood is visibly different. Running has simply made me generally calmer.
- Running has allowed me to see new places from the ground level. I travel a lot for my job meaning that I have the chance to run wherever I am. All I need is my pair of running shoes and a run mapping app. The app allows me to find a route that matches my training schedule. I have discovered unique places on a run that I never would have had the chance to experience like the John Lennon Wall in Prague. Running in new or familiar places is my favorite way to get a feel for the local area and culture. I also travel to races to experience new adventures with my running team. It is just a great excuse to get out and see the world on foot.
- Finally and importantly, running helps me maintain my health and get stronger. Of course, running provides me with endorphins. But more importantly it helps make my body stronger and protects me from illness. Running makes my legs and immune system stronger. I can see that my muscles gain strength during speed/tempo workouts and long runs. My mind benefits as well. My running provides me with a way to build myself both physically and mentally. As I get older this aspect becomes more and more important.
I am sure if I thought about it a little longer there would be many more reasons that I am thankful to have found this lifelong passion. After 34 years on the road, running and I are inseparable. Running has helped to shape me into a better person. I have found that I am more thoughtful. I strive to be more considerate, compassionate and accepting of others and their points of view. It forces me to face my worst characteristics head on. It feeds my obsessive-compulsive disorder allowing me to not be as obsessive in other parts of my life. Meeting so many other runners who share my passion has taught me gratitude for being a part of the running community. The fact that I am alive, healthy and loved each and every day make my life rich beyond compare.
Run on my friends.
Oct 21 – 8.30 miles (1:13:11, 8:49 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct 22 – 5.10 miles (55:42, 10:56 pace) – Hill Repeats
Oct 24 – 3.13 miles (26:05, 8:20 pace)
Oct 25 – 5.10 miles (43:44, 8:33 pace)
Oct 26 – 7.10 miles (1:03:27, 8:56 pace)
Oct 27 – 3.10 miles (26:25, 8:31 pace)
Oct 28 – 6.30 miles (53:34, 8:30 pace) – Speed Work
Oct 29 – 5.10 miles (56:03, 11:00 pace) – Hill Repeats
Oct 31 – 5.10 miles (46:30, 9:07 pace)
Nov 1 – 8.30 miles (1:13:08, 8:49 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 2 – 8.10 miles (1:14:33, 9:12 pace)
Nov 3 – 8.30 miles (1:18:11, 9:25 pace)
Nov 4 – 5.20 miles (1:00:35, 11:39 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 5 – 6.30 miles (53:26, 8:29 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 7 – 8.30 miles (1:12:33, 8:44 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 8 – 4.10 miles (38:02, 9:17 pace)
Nov 9 – 7.10 miles (1:05:55, 9:17 pace)
Nov 10 – 8.40 miles (1:16:14, 9:05 pace)
Nov 11 – 5.10 miles (56:40, 11:05 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 12 – 6.30 miles (53:19, 8:27 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 16 – 8.10 miles (1:16:21, 9:26 pace)
Nov 17– 8.30 miles (1:17:34, 9:21 pace)
Nov 18 – 6.30 miles (1:03:59, 10:30 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 19 – 6.30 miles (53:07, 8:26 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 21 – 8.50 miles (1:14:56, 8:49 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 22 – 5.20 miles (47:54, 9:13 pace)
Nov 23 – 7.50 miles (1:13:39, 9:49 pace)
Nov 24 – 8.30 miles (1:18:28, 9:27 pace)
Nov 25– 5.20 miles (56:30, 10:52 pace) – Hill Repeats
Nov 26 – 7.30 miles (1:03:12, 8:39 pace) – Speed Work
Nov 28 – 7.50 miles (1:10:44, 9:26 pace)
Nov 29 – 9.50 miles (1:24:43, 8:55 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov 30 – 7.50 miles (1:10:43, 9:26 pace)
Dec 1 – 7.50 miles (1:09:50, 9:19 pace)
Total Miles: 226.83 miles
2019 Total Miles: 1,537.30 miles
