In my previous post I talked about how I needed to work on finding a way to run without music. Before making the leap to full-on no music, I thought I'd use something else to ween me off my headphones.
I have heard from a few different people that podcasts are good to run to. I never believed them, I seriously couldn't imagine how people talking could be as motivating as music. Honestly, I was still a little skeptical whenever I started the run.
I started up the podcast and began running at my typical speed. I fully expected to get tuckered out after about a mile and without my music to perk me back up, start walking. Much to my surprise, that not only didn't happen after a mile, but didn't happen at all for the entire run. I ran at a consistent speed for roughly an hour and a half without ever feeling super tired, in fact, I'm pretty sure I could have went for longer.
I was delightfully surprised that the podcast kept me running. I wouldn't say it motivated me, as much as it distracted me from how tired the run was making me. Podcasts aren't better then music, they're just different. Music caused me to fluctuate my run. When a song is a little more driving or has an especially catchy bridge, I run faster. If a song my not be quite as driving, I'll slow down slightly. I need the music to motivate me, because overall, I run harder.
So basically, podcasts are pretty great to run to. They help take your mind off how long you've been running. Although I don't think I'd always want to run to podcasts, but they are great at least once a week, when you may want a simpler run then usual. They are a great way to rest up, without having to skip on a day of running.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Casual Running Partner
So my theme week may not have turned out exactly as I'd planned, it turns out even runners have schedules. Who knew?
However, I did get the opportunity to run with my friend Sean, previously referred to as the casual runner. This is the run I wasn't very concerned about, because I knew he was roughly around my level so it wouldn't be super demanding.
We ran about three miles. I really enjoyed the run, however there were a few factors I didn't count on. It was great to have some conversation in the beginning. I don't get many chances to hang out with Sean, so its cool to think that this could be a new way for us to hang out.
The first mile went by pretty smoothly, I wasn't very out of breathe and I got to catch up with my friend. Then we both started to get a little out of breathe. The conversation lessened the farther we ran and I quickly started to miss my running music. It is honestly ridiculous how much music motivates me. I started forcing songs to get stuck in my head so I could have something. We finished the run, but I really wasn't feeling it. I had to force myself to run as far as I did, then once we stopped, I know I could have ran farther, I just couldn't make myself.
This was a really telling moment for myself. I really need to find other ways to motivate myself. I love to run with music, but thinking back now, I can remember times my blackberry died and I thought to myself, "Ya know, I can walk the rest of the way." If I don't have my music I'm useless. How am I going to run a marathon if my only real form of motivation is the music playing through my headphones?
So that's my next challenge, to find a way to motivate myself that doesn't involve music. I better figure it out fast too, because I'm runner with the experienced runner on Friday.
However, I did get the opportunity to run with my friend Sean, previously referred to as the casual runner. This is the run I wasn't very concerned about, because I knew he was roughly around my level so it wouldn't be super demanding.
We ran about three miles. I really enjoyed the run, however there were a few factors I didn't count on. It was great to have some conversation in the beginning. I don't get many chances to hang out with Sean, so its cool to think that this could be a new way for us to hang out.
The first mile went by pretty smoothly, I wasn't very out of breathe and I got to catch up with my friend. Then we both started to get a little out of breathe. The conversation lessened the farther we ran and I quickly started to miss my running music. It is honestly ridiculous how much music motivates me. I started forcing songs to get stuck in my head so I could have something. We finished the run, but I really wasn't feeling it. I had to force myself to run as far as I did, then once we stopped, I know I could have ran farther, I just couldn't make myself.
This was a really telling moment for myself. I really need to find other ways to motivate myself. I love to run with music, but thinking back now, I can remember times my blackberry died and I thought to myself, "Ya know, I can walk the rest of the way." If I don't have my music I'm useless. How am I going to run a marathon if my only real form of motivation is the music playing through my headphones?
So that's my next challenge, to find a way to motivate myself that doesn't involve music. I better figure it out fast too, because I'm runner with the experienced runner on Friday.
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Week of Running Partners
After I've started running regularly, I've gotten a lot of questions about who I run with. The truth is, I've never really regularly run with anybody. However, I've wondered if there are any advantages to having a regular running partner. Which gave me an idea for my first theme week.
Throughout this week I'm going to be running with three different people. People at three different skill levels. I'll be running with one experienced runner, one casual runner (roughly at my skill level) and one new runner. Here are my predictions of how I think my runs will go.
When I'm with the experienced runner, I believe he will always be slightly ahead of me, which will push me to keep up. Although, I think I may feel a little like I'm holding him back. I think this will probably be my best workout of the week, because of how hard I'll push myself, but I hope it doesn't wear me out for the rest of the week.
Running with the runner around my level should be fun. I'm hoping it will make me feel like I've accomplished something over the past few weeks. It would also be great if this could turn into a regular running partner. I think this run will let me know if I would want a regular runner partner or not.
With the new runner I'm not really sure what to expect. It will be up to me to motivate her. I think the pressure of keeping her motivated may be enough to keep me motivated, but there's also a chance I won't be able to do as much running as I typically do.
So there's my guesses, check back later this week to see the results.
Throughout this week I'm going to be running with three different people. People at three different skill levels. I'll be running with one experienced runner, one casual runner (roughly at my skill level) and one new runner. Here are my predictions of how I think my runs will go.
When I'm with the experienced runner, I believe he will always be slightly ahead of me, which will push me to keep up. Although, I think I may feel a little like I'm holding him back. I think this will probably be my best workout of the week, because of how hard I'll push myself, but I hope it doesn't wear me out for the rest of the week.
Running with the runner around my level should be fun. I'm hoping it will make me feel like I've accomplished something over the past few weeks. It would also be great if this could turn into a regular running partner. I think this run will let me know if I would want a regular runner partner or not.
With the new runner I'm not really sure what to expect. It will be up to me to motivate her. I think the pressure of keeping her motivated may be enough to keep me motivated, but there's also a chance I won't be able to do as much running as I typically do.
So there's my guesses, check back later this week to see the results.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Growth
I've always been pretty sure I have a mild form of OCD. I've never been actually diagnosed or treated for it, but I have noticed I have tendencies that most normal people don't have, and none of these tendencies have ever actually affected my life.
To give you an example, I always get specific drinks at different restaurants. Whenever I'm at Burger King I get Dr. Pepper, at McDonald's I get Sweet Tea, at Taco Bell I get Mountain Dew and the list goes on and on. I've always done this and never thought anything of it until I started drinking primarily water. Many times I couldn't force myself to get water at these places, because it just didn't feel right. I'm pretty sure this is an OCD tendency.
Another of these tendencies that has affected my running is that I never step on the cracks in the sidewalk. I've done this as long as I can remember. I'm pretty sure this all started with the whole "Step on a crack, break your mother's back" thing, however, I've known for years that doing this probably won't actually break my mother's back, it just didn't feel right to do it.
Every time I've gone running for the past couple of weeks, I concentrate way more on not stepping on the cracks then on the actual run. I never really enjoy the runs, because it feels like a chore. I have to put a lot of effort into not stepping on cracks, especially when I run in a city sidewalk full of cracks.
Today when I went running, I decided I was going to not care and see what happened. I was amazed at how much more fun it was to run! I noticed how bright the sun was shining, how beautiful the blooming trees were and how great the breeze felt on my face. And surprisingly, when I stepped on a crack, nothing happened. I didn't have a panic attack, the world didn't end and my mother's back didn't break, I know because I recently talked to her, she sounded fine.
I guess the point of this article is to demonstrate that working towards a goal, like really working towards it, can really change your life. I never expected to conquer these little annoyances in my life by training for a marathon. I'm so glad I decided to make a blog for this, I'm excited to see what else happens to me along this journey, I really believe I'm going to be a much better person by the end of it.
Maybe next time I go to Taco Bell I can order a water. Baby steps.
To give you an example, I always get specific drinks at different restaurants. Whenever I'm at Burger King I get Dr. Pepper, at McDonald's I get Sweet Tea, at Taco Bell I get Mountain Dew and the list goes on and on. I've always done this and never thought anything of it until I started drinking primarily water. Many times I couldn't force myself to get water at these places, because it just didn't feel right. I'm pretty sure this is an OCD tendency.
Another of these tendencies that has affected my running is that I never step on the cracks in the sidewalk. I've done this as long as I can remember. I'm pretty sure this all started with the whole "Step on a crack, break your mother's back" thing, however, I've known for years that doing this probably won't actually break my mother's back, it just didn't feel right to do it.
Every time I've gone running for the past couple of weeks, I concentrate way more on not stepping on the cracks then on the actual run. I never really enjoy the runs, because it feels like a chore. I have to put a lot of effort into not stepping on cracks, especially when I run in a city sidewalk full of cracks.
Today when I went running, I decided I was going to not care and see what happened. I was amazed at how much more fun it was to run! I noticed how bright the sun was shining, how beautiful the blooming trees were and how great the breeze felt on my face. And surprisingly, when I stepped on a crack, nothing happened. I didn't have a panic attack, the world didn't end and my mother's back didn't break, I know because I recently talked to her, she sounded fine.
I guess the point of this article is to demonstrate that working towards a goal, like really working towards it, can really change your life. I never expected to conquer these little annoyances in my life by training for a marathon. I'm so glad I decided to make a blog for this, I'm excited to see what else happens to me along this journey, I really believe I'm going to be a much better person by the end of it.
Maybe next time I go to Taco Bell I can order a water. Baby steps.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Confession
O.K., I admit it. Holidays take a toll on everyone's eating and exercise schedules. I am no exception. This past Saturday was my mother's birthday and Sunday was, of course, Easter.
I visited my family in Boone county with high hopes of eating things, such as Easter candy and birthday cake, with much moderation and maintaining my running schedule. None of this happened.
My grandma made a huge Easter/Birthday dinner consisting of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, ect., ect., ect. I ate one full plate, then pursued to eat cake and ice cream. My mom bought me a pretty big chocolate and peanut butter Easter egg and a full package of Reese Cups, needless to say, I ate all of it.
To say I cheated this weekend would be a vast understatement. I went overboard. Admittedly, starting to eat healthy just before a family birthday and the Easter holiday probably wasn't the best idea, but its no excuse, I really should have done better. I should have ate the junk food in moderation, if at all, and I should have continued my exercises.
With all that said, its a new day. Tomorrow morning, I plan on getting up at 4:30 a.m. and going for a 4 or 5 mile run. I can do this, I know I can. I'm hoping that over time this blog can be a place for encouragement, that is if you can pick up on my obvious hint, readers.
I visited my family in Boone county with high hopes of eating things, such as Easter candy and birthday cake, with much moderation and maintaining my running schedule. None of this happened.
My grandma made a huge Easter/Birthday dinner consisting of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, ect., ect., ect. I ate one full plate, then pursued to eat cake and ice cream. My mom bought me a pretty big chocolate and peanut butter Easter egg and a full package of Reese Cups, needless to say, I ate all of it.
To say I cheated this weekend would be a vast understatement. I went overboard. Admittedly, starting to eat healthy just before a family birthday and the Easter holiday probably wasn't the best idea, but its no excuse, I really should have done better. I should have ate the junk food in moderation, if at all, and I should have continued my exercises.
With all that said, its a new day. Tomorrow morning, I plan on getting up at 4:30 a.m. and going for a 4 or 5 mile run. I can do this, I know I can. I'm hoping that over time this blog can be a place for encouragement, that is if you can pick up on my obvious hint, readers.
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