It's a matter of time

Don't think about what you have to do when you're done running. Be in the present. Once I stopped worrying about all the other things I have to do the time just started floating by. Keep moving and the time will take care of itself. Simple thoughts for a huge positive impact.

Running

It's bad for your knees, don't do it.

Keep it Real

Be flexible with your time.

We're not elite athletes and have normal schedules to battle with. Running can't always be the priority.

Know what workouts you need to get in for the week. If you miss a workout, use a rest day to make up for it. It would make sense to anticipate how many workouts you will likely miss during the average week during training. I'm pretty good on getting all of my workouts in, but I plan on missing 2-4 during the month. Don't get down on yourself for missing a workout. Sometimes it can't be avoided. Most importantly, try to get your long runs in. You might have to move it to a day where you normally have a short run.

Schedule conflicts make it difficult to keep a routine. Have shoes handy. If you know you're going to be tied up after work, try and get your run done in the morning before heading in. The more flexible you become, the easier it will be to incorporate running full-time into your lifestyle. It will flow as part of your normal day.

Size Doesn't Matter

It's great participating in those huge events with tens of thousands of people. Runners move along the course taking in the cheers from the adoring crowd of supporters. You can brag do your family, friends, and co-workers about how you ran the ---big city name here--- marathon that they'd heard so much about in the news. The glory is yours. It is a great feeling.

Not only are there the high profile marathons you here about constantly, there are many smaller events and runs that you probably haven't heard of. If you are considering running a race of any distance, you may want to explore the path less traveled. Check out what some of the lower profile runs have to offer.

Someone recently asked me what it was like after I ran 26 miles while training for a 50K run. I replied, "It was like running a marathon, but without the glory." It was funny. My friend laughed. But, it wasn't true. There was glory. There was a whole hell of a lot of glory. Personal Glory. That is about as low profile a run as you can get. I felt so pumped on adrenaline it was like I had conquered the world. It didn't matter whether anybody else knew about it or not. So, as you participate in smaller event, hopefully you can experience a similar feeling of personal glory.

There are many advantages to the smaller event. You can easily get a parking spot. You don't have to show up the night before and fight through some huge expo just to pick up a stupid packet. It's laid back. You show up and feel relaxed. There is no hurry. You are in the zone. If you have someone there supporting you it is easy for them to spot you. In my last event I was able to have my support team (parents) provide me with some Cliff Shots I planted on them along the course. Not only that. You'll get a great personal feeling from the event workers and volunteers. They're all happy to be there and want to talk to you. They love running and they're proud of the event that they're helping to make happen. The entrance fee for these smaller events is usually much less, but the quality is not.

Glory is waiting for you. How will you reach it?

Read for Speed

In the internet age it is easy to find almost anything you want to know online. Though there is a vast pool of information about running on the net, it is sometimes overwhelming and difficult to sort through. Let’s get old school. Think back to the dark ages before you could punch in a couple words on a search engine have the answer to your question, back to the days where we used to have to look in a book.

There are many great books out there about running. Picking up a running book can provide you with a great point of reference. As you filter through all the information on the net, you can pull out your reference book, written by someone you know is an expert on the topic. Bring the information you find on the net into context by evaluating how it relates to your reference guide.

Years ago I picked up a copy of How to Train by Hal Higdon up at a local used book store for seven dollars. I was looking for a sample training plan to adopt for my first marathon. How to Train offers tips and training plans for almost any kind of distance event you can think of ranging from 5k to 100-mile. Hal’s book also offered me suggestions on stretching, balance, and strength training. As I’ve progressed I’ve adapted the workouts and training routines into my own by making changes based on experience or suggestions from others. I don’t take the advice word for word, but it is great to have a point of reference to look back on as I gain more experience and knowledge.

I found my book. I suggest you go out and find yours.

Mustache Miles

Legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine once said, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” What is this gift he is referring to? I like to think he is talking about his mustache. Being able to grow such a perfectly aerodynamic mustache is a true gift. Not all runners are able to grow such a glorious mustache. Prefontaine embraced his trademark ‘stache and was able to build on his gift through hard work and persistence.

I recommend that everybody embraces their own gift and give it all they have. Grow the best mustache you can. If you cannot grow one, pick up a prosthetic from your local costume shop. Whatever form your mustache takes you will be embracing your true gift. By embracing your mustache you will see an increase in strength, endurance, and speed proportional to the thickness of your mustache. As an added bonus, you will become extremely sexy and cool.

Space the Pace

Maybe you haven't ran much in the past. You might have tried to go for a jog, but didn’t really develop an affinity for it. You’re at a point where you’d like to give it a shot again. Or, you ran in the past, but where never able to overcome certain distance or time constrictions. Where can you begin? What can you do this time that you didn’t do before? Space the pace!

Interval training is one of the best ways for a new runner to approach the challenge. To make the progression from walking to running mix the two together. To develop more comfortably as a runner, work intervals of walking into your runs. This will allow your body to adjust and adapt to the new workout routine. It will also help expand time and distance boundaries that have limited you in the past.

Say you’re comfortable running for 15 minutes. Break that up into 3 five minute periods of the running. In between each running interval add in a 2 minute walk. So now you have a 2 minute walk warm up, a 5 minute run, a 2 minute walk, a 5 minute run, a 2 minute walk, a 5 mile run and then a 2 minute walk cool down. This will probably keep you within your comfortable limits. If not, feel free to adjust accordingly. Listen to your body and do what feels right. Don’t be afraid to step back and walk more if necessary. So, by adopting this technique, the 15 minute runner has increased the length of their workout to 23 minutes. As you become more in tune with your workout adjust the running intervals longer and the walking intervals shorter within your abilities. After going through this process the runner has increased their run length by over 25%.

That was just an example. That isn’t necessarily applicable to your abilities. You’ll find what is comfortable for you body. I am just suggesting that to develop your running skills mix some running and walking together in a way that you are comfortable with.

As with any exercise routine, you should probably consult a physician to make sure it is right for you before getting started.