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

This just in...

I was reading my Runner's World magazine (February issue) and was very happy to read that scientists have found more proof that running helps to keep us healthier and enables us to live longer. My first thought was...Duh!! Then I remembered that when I announced to friends and family that I was going to run a half-marathon that some felt that it would be dangerous to my well being. I would be injured or worse. You can only imagine what was said when in 1999 I committed to running a full marathon. Maybe the health benefits of running long distances is not widely accepted by our non-running friends and family.

Here are a couple of the things that Amy Rushlow noted in her article "It's All Good".

• People who run more than 35 miles a week are 54% less likely to suffer age-related vision loss than those who cover 10 miles a week. I think I am living proof of this scientific discovery. I did not need reading glasses until I was 48 years old. I remember my optician telling me that it was perfectly normal for a man my age to need reading glasses and that she was surprised I didn't need them sooner. Thank you running.

• Runners who log a weekly run of 10 miles (or more) are 39% less likely to use high-blood-pressure meds and 34% less likely to need cholesterol meds compared to those who don't go farther than 3 miles. During my annual physicals, my doctor always comments on my slightly below normal blood pressure. He is a runner too and believes that my dedication to my sport is helping me keep my blood pressure at a healthy level. In addition, by using some supplements like niacin, fish and flax seed oils, I have my cholesterol lower than it has been since I was diagnosed as borderline high 15 years ago. Thank you running.

• British workers were surveyed on a day they worked out and a day they didn't. People said they made fewer mistakes, concentrated better, and were more productive on the day they were active. I wholeheartedly agree with this. I know that when I get to work after my morning runs I am ready to hit the ground running (no pun intended). I am very focused and am more productive than on days that I don't run or miss my run due to some scheduling conflict. This, of course, makes my boss happy. Thank you running.

• People who exercise for an hour a day are less likely to suffer upper-respiratory-tract infections than those who are inactive, according to a study from Sweden. Moderate activity boosts immunity. Since I started running back in 1985, I can only remember 2 or 3 times that I was actually sick and could not work. Twice it was due to a sinus infection. I wasn't sick very often as a child. Therefore, it is hard to correlate my running with my ability to avoid upper-respiratory-tract infections. But, if this study is correct, my running has definitely contributed to my not missing work due to illness. Thank you running.

• A review of 22 studies found that people who work out 2.5 hours a week are 19% less likely to die prematurely than those who don't exercise. A separate study found that active people have a 50% lower risk of premature death. This is the best news of all. I run on average about 7 hours per week. This means the odds are in my favor that I won't die a premature death. Of course, I won't know since I will be dead. But, thank you running in advance of my ultimate demise.

The best thing about all of the above is that I can now say with conviction that running is the most beneficial thing that I can do each day to live a long and healthy life. We as runners should be telling our friends and family about this great news. The thing is that so many people I talk to about running tell me how much they hate to run and that it is boring. Maybe that's for the best. I don't want there to be too many people out there clogging up the roads and my peaceful running routes. It's bad enough we have to share the roads with the cars. Can you imagine if there were more runners out there? Sorry, that is not how we in the running community think. I am however on the fence about whether to go out and proselytize about running and all the great things it could do to improve other's lives. If I really think it through the best way to motivate others to start living a healthier lifestyle is to be a role model. Demonstrate my passion by getting out there and doing it. If I do, I am sure others will follow.

Jan. 1 – 9.50 miles (1:25:51, 9:02 pace)
Jan. 2 – 9.10 miles (1:22:55, 9:03 pace)
Jan. 3 – 6.20 miles (57:27, 9:16 pace)
Jan. 4 – 4.50 miles (36:35, 7:58 pace) – Speed Work
Jan. 6 – 6.20 miles (50:38, 8:10 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan. 7 – 6.10 miles (56:27, 9:15 pace)
Jan. 8 – 8.30 miles (1:15:35, 9:06 pace)
Jan. 9 – 10.10 miles (1:34:27, 9:21 pace)
Jan. 10 – 6.00 miles (55:57, 9:20 pace)
Jan. 11 – 4.50 miles (36:34, 8:08 pace) – Speed Work
Jan. 13 – 6.20 miles (50:14, 8:06 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan. 14 – 6.20 miles (56:30, 9:07 pace)
Jan. 15 – 8.50 miles (1:14:07, 8:43 pace)

Total Miles: 91.40 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 91.40 miles

Find Balance This Year

The world and I have completed another trip around the sun. At the end of the trip is this new post which happens to be the 100th post since I started writing down my thoughts about running and life. As I looked back over my previous posts, I noticed a post where I discussed the meaning of numbers in our lives and more specifically looked for meaning in the bib number I was given by the B.A.A. for the 2009 Boston Marathon. It made me want to see if the number 100 had any significance. Since I believe that numerology can teach us, I had a feeling that there would be a significance to the number 100.

As I discussed previously, each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a numerical value. The numerical value of a word is determined by adding up the values of each letter. In this case, the number 100 is represented by the Hebrew letter kuf. I did a little research and found that the letter kuf when written is composed of two separate parts (see picture). It is said that this represents our ability as people to deal with heart wrenching loss and also be able to open our hearts to those in need. It also symbolizes that we are a broken vessel looking to be made whole again or holy, if you will. Therefore, I believe that this is a sign telling me that I need to look at my life as a series of letting go and embracing that which is new. This is never easy especially if it means having to say goodbye to a loved one when they leave this earth.

As we live our lives, we find that we all have to sacrifice something as we travel life's path. We as runners have to sacrifice time with our friends and family when we are out on the road training for our races. The word sacrifice can be defined as a way to make something sacred. The Jewish mystics would say that the letter kuf is calling on us to make a sacrifice and to repay to the source of all things (God) for that which we take out of life as we travel around the sun. If we never repay that debt as we go along we are, in a sense, breaking the circle of life. By breaking this circle, we and those around us become unbalanced. We need to find ways to maintain that balance especially when it comes to our running life.

Kuf also represents receptivity in our life. The broken letter shows us that in order to maintain balance we need to open our hearts and minds to new ideas, inspirations and teachings. It is said that if you focus on the letter kuf in a meditative way that you can increase your spiritual receptivity. Through this meditation, kuf can help you reduce your focus on the trivialities in your life and be more receptive to sanctity. As you look at the letter, you can see that it dips below the line of writing. In mystical circles, this symbolizes the ability to remove power from the negative side of the universe. If we can remove the negativity from our life we can regain control and find the balance we need. In a sense, kuf symbolizes two worlds, the good and the bad, life and death. Therefore, if we want to truly be happy we need to try and remove depression and sadness from our lives and instead focus on joy and fulfillment.

I have come to realize that my spiritual journey of transformation requires that I get to know who I really am and to try and understand and accept the unique combination of my personality and character traits. If I can truly learn who I am and what I can do to remove negativity from my life then I can regain the balance I need and hopefully uncover what my gift to the world should be. This balance should allow me to be more fulfilled in the coming year and find true joy and happiness.

I wish you all a year filled with prosperity, joy and happiness. See you on the road.

Dec. 19 – 8.50 miles (1:18:23, 9:13 pace)
Dec. 20 – 6.20 miles (55:25, 8:56 pace)
Dec. 21 – 4.00 miles (33:20, 8:04 pace) – Speed Work
Dec. 23 – 6.20 miles (49:21, 7:58 pace) – Tempo Run
Dec. 24 – 6.60 miles (56:20, 8:48 pace)
Dec. 25 – 8.10 miles (1:12:40, 8:58 pace)
Dec. 26 – 14.40 miles (2:17:02, 9:31 pace)
Dec. 28 – 4.00 miles (32:26, 8:09 pace) – Speed Work
Dec. 30 – 6.20 miles (50:15, 8:06 pace) – Tempo Run
Dec. 31 – 6.10 miles (53:22, 8:45 pace)

Total Miles: 70.30 miles
2010 YTD Miles: 1,746.50 miles
(I averaged 33.5 miles per week this year)