Run Forrest Run…
So 3 days remain until Vince B. and myself run the Cap-City Half Marathon. You must think I’m crazy to run 13.1 miles nonstop without a bear, lion, stormtrooper, mugger or some other menacing being chasing after me. The crazy thing is, I actually enjoy the “pain”. Non-runners typically don’t understand it, but there’s just something freeing about being out in the fresh air just you and the road and of course the favorite iPod mix laying down miles with your own power. Not to mention the endorphin rush on the challenging workouts. As an introvert, having “my alone time” has also been a driving force in my running. It’s just a great way to clear your head and forget about everything going on in life.
A lot of people have asked me how the freaking heck I can run that far but it the truth is, it’s just as easy as starting one day with a 5 minute easy run and keeping at it. I don’t actually run as religiously as I should(note today was the first run in 1.5 weeks) but I’ve attempted to make this a lifelong hobby rather than a 1 month fling. When I first started, my wife said it probably wouldn’t last 2 months but here I am 1 year later doing the 13.1. It’s crazy to think back to a year ago when I couldn’t do 1 mile let alone a race. I plan to do a full Marathon next year and hopefully my body holds up for the training but I love a challenge. I still have no idea how I can run 2 hours nonstop with my short attention span but somehow I just enter another world when run and shut my mind down. Actually, you have to shut your mind down or your mind will tell you that you can’t do it. I told a running buddy today(Vince) that your mind is your biggest enemy. It always seems like that last mile is the hardest no matter the distance but I think it’s because your mind tells you that you’re almost finished and tries to shut your body down.
I’m definitely looking forward to doing some 5k’s after the 13.1 with another great running buddy, Dave, to give my legs a break from the long distance stuff. It’s a whole other animal.
With this weather becoming so nice, it’s a great time to give running a try. Whether to lose weight or just stay in shape, running can be a lot of fun if you can get past the first 2 months of cardio difficulty. You owe it to your body to be healthy anyway. It only gets easier the more you do it.
I’ll post updates after the race so heads up. And if you happen to be here, maybe you’ll see myself and Vince B. cross the finish line with the other 10,000 crazies.
B
