Training My Body and My Thinking

Does the fact that I haven't posted for 6 months mean I haven't been running? Of course I've been running. I ran this morning, Christmas Eve for three reasons. First, I AM addicted to running, that's been established. History tells me my nutrition options for today's celebration will be other than my level of nutrition.  In other words, I needed to make room for cookies. Finally, I needed to exercise my dogs, knowing they'll be kenneled many hours. In minus 10 degree weather, I satisfied these needs.
While running, I reflected on thoughts of others I saw while Christmas shopping whose outward appearance suggested a less than healthy lifestyle.  When I see someone who doesn't appear in "good shape," I truly feel for them. I try not to judge, as I've addressed previously.   I have really analyzed my way of thinking and mentally reacting to people lately. Instead of judging, I try to put myself in their shoes. When I see someone over weight,  I am saddened. What has caused their current state of health?  How can I help them?  This process of retraining my thoughts has helped me to see people in a different light.  As I noted in my last post, I try find a way to encourage rather than judging or condemning in my mind.  It's amazing the thoughts that run through my mind over the course of a few miles.  Today,  I enjoyed reflecting on the power of retraining my thoughts.  Further, I rejoiced in my ability and opportunity that I have to exercise, both my body and mind!

Don't Judge What you Don't Kow

Sometimes, trying to look at a situation from a different perspective will help you to be a more compassionate and appreciative person.  Last week, while out on a trail run, many interesting thoughts came to mind as I became delirious from running in 90+ degrees with high humidity and little air movement, except that caused by myself.  Some of those thoughts will be further developed in my next few postings.  Towards the end of what seemed like the longest four miles I have ever done, we (my brother and I), came across two people walking.  They were smoking.  Instantly in my mind, I judged them for smoking and was disgusted with the fact that I had to run through their cloud.   On my drive home, I thought about this further.  I thought, who am I to judge?  Afterall, these were the only people we had met on the otherwise busy trail.  The temps were hot, and conditions all around uncomfortable, and to be perfectly honest, unsafe for high amounts of exertion.  Yet, they were out walking.  Perhaps, they were out enjoying that they had finally begun exercising or maybe they were celebrating that they had met some health goal.  For all I know, maybe they had lost 25 pounds already.  Really, who am I to judge these people that I knew nothing about?  Maybe these two were trying to get into a healthier lifestyle and this day was getting them down, maybe they were about to quit exercising.  In considering all this, I thought to myself.    Does condemning these people in my mind for smoking help either of us?  No, it does not.  Instead, the next time I find myself in a situation like that, I'll at least smile, say, "Hello," or better yet, give a positive compliment about being out there.  Afterall, you can never know what the depth of impact your actions and words can have on another person.  So why not make it a potentially positive impact!

"Here for a Good Time"

As I ran this morning, I listened to George Strait sing, "Here for a Good Time."  I pondered the words of his song as I came across various people this morning.  

"I am not gonna lay around and whine and mourn for somebody that done me wrong
Don't think for a minute that I am gonna sit around and sing some old sad song
I believe it's half full not a half empty glass
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my last
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moon shine
When I'm gone put it in stone "He left nothing behind"
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time"

I hear these words as I see someone out enjoying the morning on their porch, then I run through their cloud of second hand smoke.  (Oh, yeah that's delicious to inhale while exercising.)  I reflect on the words of the song again.  "I ain't here for a long time, I'm here for a good time."  Maybe they are having their good times supporting the tobacco industry.  As for myself, I am having a good time by being healthy because I fully hope I am here for a long time and I would rather it be a long time of good health and enjoying my life to the fullest.  

I think further on the words, " So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moon shine."  This is a holiday weekend as I continue on my way, I wonder just how many people are still sleeping because they chose to indulge themselves in alcohol or too many brats and too much pie the day before.  Maybe they are living thinking they may not be here too much longer, so why not indulge?  Now, I fully believe in living each moment to the fullest.  I also believe in being responsible to keep our bodies healthy so that we can be here a long time, be here for the ones we love.      

I do like Mr. Jones' song very much.  I agree with some of the words.  I do see the glass as half full.  I am here for a good time.  I am also prepared to be here for a long time though.  That is why I will be out there yet again tomorrow morning and the next and so on, exercising and enjoying my surroundings, fully enjoying my day and looking forward to tomorrow!

Never Enough... Or Is It?

As I have run over the past month, I have noticed an increase in the numbers of runners I see out there at 5:00am (even earlier, but there are fewer).  In noticing this increase, I have been thinking about the weather and how it is always a topic that you hear about each day.  Perhaps it is because it is one thing that we all have in common, weather!  I hear people complaining in winter of the cold, the snow, pleading for spring to come.  Then, when spring comes, those same people complain of too much rain, when will we see the sun and leaves on the trees.  The leaves come and there are complaints of pollen, and when will it get warm enough for summer clothes?  I am sure as summer arrives, the complaint will be that it is too hot.  This brings to mind the thought of whatever we want, though it may finally come, it never seems to be enough... or is it?  Let me apply this to running to explain my stance on the topic.

My foot has healed fine and I have successfully run over a month now pain free.  Looking at this fact over the many years I have run, I can look at it from different angles.  I could whine that after a number of injuries, I finally have figured out that I just can't run every day anymore without getting injured.  I also could relish in the fact that I am able to run every other day.  I get to look forward to something I love doing.  I get to enjoy it one day and live the next in anxious, excited anticipation of what is to come.  I choose the latter.  I choose to be happy with what I have be blessed with.  What good would it do me to focus on the fact that I don't get to run every day anymore?  Does that type of attitude somehow enhance my situation?  No, not at all.  I can however, enhance it by jumping in wholeheartedly into each day and being thankful that I still get to run! I can do it, so I will, every chance I get!  I for one, enjoy the changing of the seasons.  Right now, I get to awaken to the first light, I can run to the lake and watch the sun rise over the horizon.  What a great way to begin my day.  Appreciate what you have and you will be able to choose happiness too!  I bet those other runners out there with me have found that out too.

Is it Time To Return?

Today is Earth Day and what a wonderful day it is starting out to  be!  This is my first post written shortly after a run.  I wouldn't liken myself as to having runner's high from breaking any speed barriers or distance records as I lightly ran a 1.5 miles, but I have to say I feel like I'm up on a cloud!  This was my test run to see just how well my foot is healing.  The real answer to my question, "Is it time to return?" will come over the next day or two to see how my foot reacts to the impact.  My euphoric feeling this morning comes from the fact that I was able to run, to do what I love, what my body and mind desire.  I can't say I have ever been addicted to the feelings that come from tipping a few back, smoking or the like, but I am addicted to the feelings that I get from running.  The great thing is, my addiction is a healthy one!

Race Day

Today is race day.  I am still nursing my foot, so I am not running.  I do have a number of good friends racing.  Throw those two facts into the same equation and that creates a swirl of emotions mixed up inside me.  First, I am excited just because it is race day and the route happens to go right past my house.  Races always excite me.  I feel the race day jitters even if I'm not out there pounding the pavement.  I really am crazy, I even eat and hydrate like I am racing.  Second, I have a friend who is running today and just a couple years ago, did not run and in fact used to call me nuts to be running 13.1 miles.  How AWESOME is it that she is now running not only a half, but training for her first marathon!  Let's add to the equation another great friend who is running their first half marathon, really running consistently for the first time in many years.  Add to that yet another person I know who is running their first half.  Wow, that's a lot of excitement!  Let's examine now, the fact that I am not running.  I think the hardest thing I struggle with is that I passionately want to be out there and it is not my choice to be on the sideline, rather a necessity.  I yearn to feel the freedom of my body moving in rhythm to my thoughts, gliding along the paths and feeling the wind blow.  I want to see another runner in front of me, to make a small goal to catch them, then gradually ease up alongside them and pass, hoping I can give a little encouragement for them to follow.  I miss the excitement at the starting line, where everyone else looks just as nervous as I, as I struggle to focus on just why in the world I think I need to run 13.1 miles.  I miss picking out what other runners I think I will beat.  I want to have that overwhelming feeling of accomplishment as I cross the finish line.

So, my emotional equation is wrought with both extreme excitement and extreme sadness, a healthy person will find balance in that.  I will find a way to use this as motivation to keep exercising healthy and safely so that I can be out there for that next race!

When you Don't Listen to Your Body

What comes into the head of an addict who finally comes to the realization that they must change their habits to become healthier, to heal?  Although I am not an addict to drugs, alcohol or nicotine, I do have some side effects when I am unable to run, my family surely can attest to that.  Personally, each day becomes a struggle to think beyond I can not currently do.  It is possible though, and to heal physically, it takes great mental courage to move forward.

I was on my way to running in a half marathon in just a few weeks.  About two weeks ago, I mentioned to a friend that my foot was hurting a little.  Now, one would think that since I have a college degree in physical education and fitness coupled with the fact that I have been running for over a quarter century (that doesn't make me feel old, only proud)... that I would have the sense to analyze my situation before it leads to further injury.  Well, when you love something so much, you are blinded.  I was blinded from the pain, my body was sending a message.  I did not stop, I ran my regular runs and a hard speed run, on pavement of all ridiculous things.  I was 1.5 miles from home when my foot hurt so bad, it brought tears to my eyes.  I knew instantly that I had pushed it too far.  Me being the guru of running that I convinced myself of, took a whole one week off.  I even had suggestion that to heal from what I knew was a stress fracture on the top of my foot (unfortunately I know it from experience) would take more than one week.  I was determined to try, partly because I love to run, partly because my brother asked me to run and partly because it was the warmest day of the year so far, sporting 53 degrees.  So, armed with the excitement of getting out there in shorts, we did our short trial run.  It took me only one mile in to realize, things were not better.  It took me probably one more minute of thought to realize that I was at least one month past needing new shoes.  So, I knew I must break the bad news.  Honey, I need new shoes, please!

So what does come into my head upon all this realization?  Why did I not think to get new shoes?  I know better.  Why did I not listen to my friend and wait longer?  I know better.  Why does the person who has the drive to run in absolutely any weather have to get hurt?  The recurring theme... because I thought I knew better.  Turns out, I did not.  My body knew better.  Now, I must listen to what my body says and let it heal.  However, as I've stated, I am an addict.  Without that burn I feel in my muscles, I am lost.  Without that sense of accomplishment each day, I am lost.  Without that ache mid day, reminding me that I met my exercise goal, I am lost.  Without all that, I am not me.  So, with the power of positive thinking, I jump on my bike, I lace up my punching gloves and I find other activities to keep me occupied and somewhat sane as I heal.

Welcome To My Brain on Running!

Yes, yes, that is what popped into my head, the old commercial about frying your brain on drugs.  I suppose that dates me a bit, but truly, running is my drug.  My goal here is to share my thoughts as a runner of over 25 years who has been called crazy, fanatical, zealous and passionate.  In truth, I have to be all of those in order to drag myself out of bed at 4:30 each morning to exercise.  That craze though, that comes over me each day while the majority of the sane population is still warm and snug in their beds, brings me to a place where I can free myself, my body and my mind.  That is what I will share.  For now, it is late.  I ran an exhausting 10 miles today.  (I seem to be training for some race, my mind just hasn't told me which one yet).  4:30 comes early, so I must retire, let my body rest and rebuild.