5 Ways to Enjoy Running Throughout Your Whole Life

Running began as a simple gateway for confidence, solitude, and endorphins. Nobody in my circle of friends ran for just for the heck of it, for they didn’t have the desire or gumption. But I did—and it made me feel like a yellow tulip in a field of red roses.  At the time, I didn’t own a watch and had no real conception of what a PR or a “fast”, “decent” or “slow” pace was. In those early 2000 days, before the birth of Garmin running watches and high-tech Ipods, the only noises I associated with running were the tap-tap-tapping of my feet, my breath, and the birds surrounding the fence of the middle school track. I didn’t know how long a marathon was, much less a 5k, 10k, or half-marathon. 

I was an infant in a big running world—completely naïve of the infinite physiological, psychological, cultural, and historical components of the sport.  It was the dawn of a relationship between my hungry soul and the endless road.

Many people’s relationship with running begins similar to mine.  Primal, naïve, and beautiful.

Since the birth of this relationship with running, it can take on many meanings. For me in the beginning, it meant mean smaller jeans, a petite waist, and trim thighs. Over time, it transformed into something more—a quiet therapist during life’s rough patches. Later it was an ongoing battle for PR’s and social recognition. At other moments, it equated with a better relationship with my significant other; a means to help others; and a nice contribution to important causes like cancer.

Until recently, my relationship with running was firmly rooted in racing and performing well. It took a few rough lessons to realize that it was okay to re-define the relationship.  Once I did, my love for the sport was re-kindled.

There is a common thread among the runners psyche: confusion about the permeable meaning of running. While there is no existing literature about this topic, I am going to take a chance by saying you will run longer, faster, and happier by understanding that your relationship with running can and will change. 

Here are some meanings that you may allow running to take on at different points:

·         Solitude: At times, running needs to be a time for peace, quiet, and serenity. After a long day filled with deadlines and errands, it can serve as a wonderful mini-getaway. Don’t keep track of paces and times; simply listen to your body and allow it to move at whatever pace it desires.  Running may take on this particular role for weeks or months—and that’s okay. Running doesn’t always need to be hard-core. If you aren’t feeling the inner fire to push yourself, just retreat to the trails and run free and relaxed.   

·         Health: If you ever reach a point in your life where you have subpar health, run with the goal of achieving optimal health—be it weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, or muscular strength. Running is one of the fastest, cheapest, and convenient ways to maintain a healthy weight, and I would suggest it to anybody in this boat.

·         Achieving Personal Goals: Racing, competing, and achieving goals is one of the most amazing aspects of running. Everybody, at some point or another should sign up for a race, set a goal, and do everything they can to achieve it. Reversely, if you ever reach a point where racing is draining your more than filling you up—it may be time to shift your relationship with running from competitive to more relaxed.

·         Running for Others: If you’ve reached a personal plateau in the sport, you may consider taking up coaching or mentoring others. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you guided another person to running and/or a healthier lifestyle. Perhaps a little outward focus is just the ingredient you need to kick-start your passion again.

·          Causes: There are an infinite number of causes to become involved with and support. Find a cause that you’re passionate about and log the miles in honor of it. Instead of running for health or a personal goal, it can be an amazing experience to run for a community and/or cause larger than yourself. 

Running is one of the most primal, natural activities that we, as humans, do. No matter why or how you run, the important thing is that you enjoy it. When one aspect of the sport becomes dull—don’t quit; just re-define the relationship.

-Redline Running Company

Why do you run? What meanings does running have in your life?

4 qualities for a quality training partner {fitness}

So, you’re a runner on the prowl for the perfect training partner? Seems pretty simple, right? While there are plenty of fish in the sea (or runners on the streets), there are several pitfalls you should avoid before delving into a full-blown running partnership. Chances are, these tips will save you a world of frustration, injury, or burnout.

The Flake: Have you ever come across those people who say “I want to start running” or “ I want to get into better shape”, but never seem to stay committed? When selecting a training partner, you want to nix those who are less motivated and committed than you. Reversely, don’t ask an Olympic bound runner to be your training partner if your goal is to simply complete a 5k. In a training partner, seek those with a similar commitment and ambition for running.

The turtle or the hare: While it’s sometimes beneficial to train with people on a vastly different level than you, it’s beneficial to find someone with roughly equal capabilities. However, based on your running personality, you can really benefit from training with someone slightly faster or slightly slower than you. If you’re the type to grind, grind, grind all the time, seek out someone slightly slower than you to keep your efforts in check. If you struggle to push yourself, train with someone slightly faster than you to keep you motivated to improve.

Negative Nancy: Negativity is really toxic. Running, in and of itself, is a mentally and physically taxing sport. If you have a negative Nancy adding to the stress, it’s a sure recipe for lame running experience. Conversely, if you train with someone who is positive and uplifting, it can exponentially amplify your running experience.

The Sprinter (Unless you’re a sprinter too): Choose someone who has similar goals and/or is training for a similar race. For example, if you’re training for a marathon, don’t try to train day-in and day-out with a sprinter, or someone with vastly different goals. Your paces, mileage, and mindset will be a lot different. While the occasional speed workout or long run with people of different events is okay, steer clear of a long term partnership.

The Competition Junkie: Competition is a healthy, fun way to grow as a runner, but if your training partner is constantly pushing the pace and/or racing you, it might be time to reconsider the partnership. Save the racing for races. If you and your running partner consistently run with your egos rather than your brains, your risk for burnout, injury, or chronic frustration dramatically increases.

Finding a quality training partner can be a tedious search. Remember to stay open-minded and to have a balanced approach to running. As I’ve mentioned throughout the post, it’s okay and probably beneficial for you to train with different types of runners, but when it comes to the long term, you have to do what’s best for your mind, body, and spirit! Over time, It is likely that partnership that is best for you will naturally emerge.

What experiences have you had with training partners?

Redline Running Company

Change your Thoughts. Change your Body: 4 Ways to Improve Fitness with your Mind {fitness}

Lately I’ve been deviating from the typical exercise and fitness advice I usually offer. But it’s for an important reason! This week, I want to address one of the single most important elements of not only a fit, clean body; but also a fit, clean life: your thoughts.

For some this may sound cliché, corny, or oversimplified; but your thoughts play the lead role in determining virtually every detail about you and your life. In a sense, they are the paintbrushes that create every stroke on your life canvas.

So, how can you practice the art of thinking to improve your fitness? Here are a few ways to brush off the dust on your dreams:

Choose your words carefully! Amplify the good feelings and minimize the negative feelings with the way you think about and describe things. Instead of saying or thinking “I had a good workout”, say “I had an earth-shattering, incredible workout”. Instead of saying “I had a horrendous workout”, say “I had a challenging workout”. By amplifying our positive experiences during and after exercise, we create more positive memories that will prompt us to want to do it again and again. Here are a few examples to get you started. Choose three positive and negative words that you usually associate with exercise, and practice super-boosting your vocab!

Good- Deeply Fulfilling                    

Great -Breathtaking

Fun-A blast!

Alright-Divine

Okay- Extraordinary

Nice-Beautiful

Awful-Hard won

Horrible-Challenging

Excruciating-Effortful

Freezing Cold and Terrible: Uncomfortable

I felt drained of all energy: A little tired

Cultivate Gratitude: I’m going to take a chance by saying that gratitude is the single most powerful mindset an individual can possess. A genuine, consistent attitude of thankfulness will, I repeat, will change your life. No matter how challenging a workout may seem; you have the power to shift your attitude, mood, and perspective with a mere glimmer or gratitude. Before and after workouts, spend a few minutes to reflect, pray, or draw awareness to the things you are grateful for. It can be as simple or detailed as you like.

Think about it: we are all experts when it comes to our misfortunes, why not become experts on our blessings? Here are a few areas to get you started:

Spouse, Family, and Friends

People from your past that influenced you

The body

The ability to stand, walk, exercise, run

The breath

Eyesight

Music

Your home

Transportation

Forgiveness

Literature

A means of income

Food

Think big: I recently watched a documentary called “The Secret”. While it offered many interesting points and concepts, one piece of advice that really struck a chord with me was this: make the universe your catalogue and, without inhibition, keep a list of everything your heart desires.

Every thought has a unique energy and frequency. By thinking confidently and optimistically about your goals and dreams, you generate more energy for them to come to life. It’s as if each thought is a breath, and the more breaths you devote to optimism and proactivity, the more your dreams begin to breathe and become alive.

The world’s greatest athletes, authors, thinkers, activists, influencers and entrepreneurs can attest to this concept. Like everyone else, they face a minefield of adversity, disbelief, and doubt. But at the end of the day, one thing prevails—their belief in themselves and/or their belief in a higher power. Don’t let anything or anyone—from the past, present, or future—to create your life’s destiny. Try this: create a list of fitness goals without holding back. Every day, think about your goals with the attitude of “I can”. Over time, pay attention to the feedback of your positive attitude.

Visualization: Many of the top sports psychologists spend a ton of time doing one mere thing with their athletes: visualizing success. Because your brain cannot effectively distinguish between reality and fantasy, you can reap tremendous benefits from visualizing positive, successful outcomes. Imagine your goal is to run a marathon. One way to bring this goal to life is by intensely visualizing every detail of the process and successful outcome. What will your training look like? What will you eat? How will you look and feel? What will you do on the weekends? How will you interact with others? What will you be wearing? Who will you be spending time with? What will the race feel like, look like, smell like? Once you’ve established your goals, visualize them often (once a day) in great detail and depth. 

As a runner (or parent, spouse, employee, ect), what keeps you mentally strong?