Dean Christakos« Michael Corleone vs. The Dude | Main | How to Deal with Those People »
May 27, 2007
Long Distance Running as an Approach to Life
This post about an amateur jogger who decides to show off and try to outrun a woman who turns out to be a hardcore marathon-runner reminded me of why I like running so much. I'm usually good enough to do a 5-mile run a day through Rock Creek Park. I don't run competitively, but I can run a 7ish-minute mile pace on a 3-5 mile run if I push myself. It gives me a chance to go outside and not have to think so darn hard for a small part of the day. My approach to long distance running is a lot like my approach to academics:- No matter what, keep putting one foot in front of the other. This ensures you'll make it to the end.
- You might be unhappy and tired during a run. Don't let this stop you. At the same time, don't antagonize an injury by trying to "run through it." Better to stop for a day or two than have an injury take you out for weeks.
- If your pace causes you to pass by slower runners, then great. If not, don't worry about it.
- Once you've pretty much mastered running one distance comfortably, try going even further next time.
- Some days you might take it easy on your run, and some days you really just need to run hard. It's better to get a little exercise consistently than spend stretches of time getting none at all.
- No matter how tempting it is to be lazy one day, remember that you hardly ever tell yourself, "I regret doing that," after getting back from a run And most importantly,
- Don't worry about the genetic mutants passing you by at a 5-minute-mile pace. Thinking too much about them and trying to compete with them head-on will just make you frustrated and discouraged.
Posted by Dean at May 27, 2007 9:52 PM
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