Two months ago I signed up for my first half marathon. I paid the $75 entry fee and the $160 for the pre-race dinner at Kennedy Space Center. My name shows up on the website; it's official. On Sunday, November 28th at 7AM, some race organizer is going to expect me to be at the starting line. To celebrate I bought a new pair of running shoes, a new book on running and a training guide. Then I stopped running. To be fair, there has been a lot going on and a lot of weekends that I was just exhausted, or out of town, or otherwise occupied on my couch. That isn't to say I haven't been working out...I have...in some ways harder than I ever have before. It just hasn't been running.
My half marathon is in Cocoa Beach, Florida and just so happens that I was there last weekend. As we drove around I stared out the window thinking..."wow in 6 months I will be back here, running this road. " I'll let you fill in what I thought after that. (Hint: It is not positive and rhymes with truck). So today I decided to admit I am completely scared of running this race (rather of NOT running this race) but that I am determined to do it. So today launches Amy's Race Motivation.
Step 1: Read tons of running motivational crap and share running motivational crap on blog.
The 53 Runner’s Commandments
by Joe Kelly
1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of shape, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.
There is always something else to do. Work will always be pressing, the house and laundry will always need cleaning. I will always want to swim more than run. So after reading and re-reading this list, I am going to keep this promise to myself. I am going to do the best I can. I am going to run more than I sit on the couch (OK honestly, I'm not sure about this one). But I am going to run a half marathon and I am going to start taking this goal seriously. I will be a fat, fit and fabulously dressed finisher!!!
My half marathon is in Cocoa Beach, Florida and just so happens that I was there last weekend. As we drove around I stared out the window thinking..."wow in 6 months I will be back here, running this road. " I'll let you fill in what I thought after that. (Hint: It is not positive and rhymes with truck). So today I decided to admit I am completely scared of running this race (rather of NOT running this race) but that I am determined to do it. So today launches Amy's Race Motivation.
Step 1: Read tons of running motivational crap and share running motivational crap on blog.
The 53 Runner’s Commandments
by Joe Kelly
1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of shape, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.
There is always something else to do. Work will always be pressing, the house and laundry will always need cleaning. I will always want to swim more than run. So after reading and re-reading this list, I am going to keep this promise to myself. I am going to do the best I can. I am going to run more than I sit on the couch (OK honestly, I'm not sure about this one). But I am going to run a half marathon and I am going to start taking this goal seriously. I will be a fat, fit and fabulously dressed finisher!!!
You can TOTALLY do this! You should be so proud of yourself for signing up...Running a half-marathon is no small feat, and you're going to be so proud of yourself when you cross that finish line. I promise you...this is one of the best things you'll ever do for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI am NOT a natural runner...it is hard work for me, but I just finished half-marathon #5. I do it because I want to prove to myself that I can...not for anyone else. And it works. Every time.
http://jrzygyrl.com/2009/10/18/running-facing-my-biggest-competitor/
You just let me know when, and I will train with you!