Run Run Away

Question:

I still ran a bit but nothing steady for years. I was on track for a marathon in 1997 but strained a muscle, then got lazy again. In 1999 I started over, ran a ‘thon in 2000 and two more in 2001 [snip]

Ah, the eternal "on/off" journey. I can see myself heading for a similar destiny Thanks for sharing your story. Quite a bit of up and down there, and see how great you’re doing now. *That* is inspirational! After a couple of months I’d lost about 20 pounds and the woman who’d sold me the membership remarked on the contrast in how energetic I seemed. More motivation!

Reminds me of my gym back in Switzerland – they have this instant motivation device at the entrance… in other words, when you put in your membership chip to enter, your photo is displayed on a screen. And they still have that photo of me when I first joined the gym at something above 200 pounds.  Makes me feel very thin and fit every time I go there. God grant me patience, and right now!

Exactly. *g* My most recent discovery in the field of patientology *g* is that there are different kinds of patience – being patient and "strong" on a journey while steadily reaping rewards, without ever questioning the path, is easier (like I did last year when I lost 55 pounds) than finding the way to live that truly works for me, to find out what I want and is good for me rather than what I "should" do. Ah, onwards on my quest. cheers, nina

Response:

  Anyhow, you’re doing better than me with your 10 miler.  I haven’t been much if any over 10k in the last 2 months.

I dunno. I only ran 6 times in the last 2 weeks… I think the mileage ain’t so much the point, it’s more about the attitude – once it clicks, the mileage goes up all by itself. Question of course is how to make it click. You sound like you yourself don’t *believe* you’re back in the groove. I felt much the same a few weeks ago only I didn’t run at all (maybe twice a week a couple of miles). It’s slowly getting better now that I can feel some fitness return, although I agree about the stubbornness factor. But, if we keep stubborn for long enough, the fitness will return! Keep at it. Good luck on that race! I’m looking forward to the report. And I wish you a "click" soon! cheers, nina

Response:

Some ramblings and I wonder if anyone can relate.

  Quite a lot.  My versions of the things you mention are proving to be obstacles now.   When I re-started and finally made it stick, I got active at ignoring what I used to be able to do (when in high school track).  Aside from the reminder that I used to be able to run distance, ignore all details of how much and how fast.   I need to work some on that again, in my recovery from the hiatus involved in last November’s flu/broncho-pneumonia and December’s non-running.  I can still hit some of the paces, some of the time, but that’s more a matter of stubbornness than fitness.  I’m trying to back off that and get reliable about just getting out and covering ground.  I _know_ from many prior demonstrations that that’s the most important thing for my health, enjoyment, as well as for race times.  Nevertheless, I’ve been out only 7 times in the last 2 weeks.  (A lot better than sitting on the couch, but not the 10 I want, and nowehere near the mileage I want — many of those 7 are 30-40 minutes, rather than 50-60.)   Just have to keep on with trying to keep at it and nudge the miles and frequency up.   In the mean time, maybe Sunday’s 10k race will help motivate me. It’s a fun race, and fun will be my reason for being there.  My training is nowhere near being able to race it seriously.  The following Sunday I’ll be visiting a friend and running the Flying Pig 10k. Should be fun, and maybe the changes of scenery will help me get over whatever barriers are around.   Anyhow, you’re doing better than me with your 10 miler.  I haven’t been much if any over 10k in the last 2 months.   — Robert Grumbine http://www.radix.net/~bobg/ Science faqs and amateur activities notes and links. Sagredo (Galileo Galilei) "You present these recondite matters with too much evidence and ease; this great facility makes them less appreciated than they would be had they been presented in a more abstruse manner." Two New Sciences

Response:

*gulp* That’s pretty impressive alright. Quite a running history! If I may ask, what made you stop back then?

Laziness, mainly. I’d joined the track team because I was too slow and unskilled for baseball or basketball and too small for football, and I found I was reasonably good at it; but once I got out of high school I found I didn’t motivate myself well, and I didn’t make the cut in college cross country, so I started eating pizza and enjoying more cerebral pursuits. I still ran a bit but nothing steady for years. I was on track for a marathon in 1997 but strained a muscle, then got lazy again. In 1999 I started over, ran a ‘thon in 2000 and two more in 2001, decided I liked not only the fitness but the race experience — lots of other people sharing an interest with me, many of them nice-looking athletic folks in shorts. Now I’m doing a lot better, I’ve lost about 30 pounds and my times are improving beyond where they’ve been the past few years. Part of it was that I joined a gym and had some sessions with a personal trainer. Oh, weight training? I’m wanting to get back into that next week, actually did some during the winter. I’m always amazed what a very positive body feeling it gives me.

We didn’t go specifically into weights much; mainly we talked about nutrition, weight loss, and running-specific workouts such as intervals and core strengthening. After a couple of months I’d lost about 20 pounds and the woman who’d sold me the membership remarked on the contrast in how energetic I seemed. More motivation! Oh, I do. I mean it took a lot more work to get into running in the first place, compared to that, it’s real easy now  Patience is a key word – guess now’s the time to learn it.

God grant me patience, and right now! Thanks for the inspirational words, Brian.

You, nina, inspire me. I’m always glad to return the favor. — Brian P. Baresch Fort Worth, Texas, USA Professional editing and proofreading If you’re going through hell, keep going. –Winston Churchill

Response:

I would love to be back in the shape I was last year.  I’m also pretty impatient so I found an alternative. If I can’t run my longer races as fast as I could, I want to run shorter distances faster.

Roger, Cool to hear you’ve found your perfect alternative. For myself, this probably wouldn’t work, since I’m really in love with the longer distances. And they won’t let me sleep while there’s still the Big Marathon Mystery waiting for me. cheers, nina

Response:

was tough without the running as a (near) daily regime to keep me positive and dealing with stress well. Fortunately, I’ve learned to love swimming just about as much as running, and THAT kept me sane.

See I started bingeing on chocolate and smoking instead I bet you came out of your break fitter than I did. But, I don’t doubt my return can be quick. Oh, and don’t worry – I’m not planning to give up chocolate… just to get a sensible grip on it I think that stopping running for a while can do the body good.

That’s probably true and a good way of looking at things. I should probably just stop musing over the break and what it gave me and what it took away, and go out and run  although today’s a rest day. Damn. Maybe  a shorter race now and then along the way will keep you keen and primed. Any other runners you can hook up with for buddy or group runs?

Yeah, there’s actually a few people at school who run, I might hook up with them now and then. Although I really have preferred to run alone in the past, this might make for an interesting change. Thanks for the input, Cam. It’s good to see I’m far from being alone with this. nina

Response:

Yes, you are not alone with these feelings.

Man, that feels good  bring on the soul massage. No, serious. Obsession is a weird thing.

You know, I’m beginning to think that the very fact that I did start over proves that running has indeed become part of who I am, and part of how I want to live. Otherwise, it would have been the easiest thing in the world to just quit. Thanks for your words, Joe. nina

Response:

-snip- I keep trying to tell myself this situation is also a gift in a way – I’m able to relive the beginner’s steep improvement curve. On the other hand, I can’t stop wondering where my running skills and endurance would be now had I not stopped. Anyway, I’d be very happy bout some input here. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how did you deal with it? cheers, nina

nina, I would love to be back in the shape I was last year.  I’m also pretty impatient so I found an alternative. If I can’t run my longer races as fast as I could, I want to run shorter distances faster.  I’ve learned that with shorter distances you have to do leg exercises to help get your leg speed up. I’m quite a bit faster on some of the hills I used to run.  I’m sure I could run 400 meters faster than I ever have if or when I try that, but I also know, as old as I am, I could lose shape again real fast. Tuesday I have a 1 mile time trial.  I wonder if I can break 6:15 since that is what I did last year at this time. Thanks,         Roger

Response:

Nina, Yes, you are not alone with these feelings.  I took the winter off and put 10 lbs back on and was just about back to square one with my fitness when I started up again this year.  This year, however, I have started running in March rather than April and am training smarter (following Daniel’s Running Formula) rather than just winging it.  I share the same impatience at getting back to last year’s peak. So far I am dealing with my impatience but setting some ambitious goals and thinking about last year’s injury experience that I don’t want to repeat.  I feel happy that I am ahead of last year.  Plus I am already thinking about next year and how I can minimize my time off during these nasty Northeast winters.  Obsession is a weird thing. Good luck!!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some ramblings and I wonder if anyone can relate. Last year (and the year before), every improvement just felt wonderfully precious and wonderful because I was constantly entering new territory. I think that constituted a big part of my positive attitude towards running. Right now, I am happy to improve, I am very happy to have done a 10miler this week, but it’s always got that bitter tinge of "I’m still so far from the shape I was in last year". When I run a 9:30 pace and it feels a bit brisk, instead of just being happy that I’m already running faster than the 10:00 of two weeks ago, I’m just thinking about how soon I can expect to return to the 9:00 easy pace of last year. That’s a main obstacle to getting back into the positive mindset – I don’t yet quite believe in myself as a runner again (which may also be the reason I can’t quite withstand the chocolate yet).

I can relate somewhat, Nina. I had to take a lot of time away from running in early winter due to injuries. I wanted to really let things heal and rest, rather than rush back into it and have problems again. it was tough without the running as a (near) daily regime to keep me positive and dealing with stress well. Fortunately, I’ve learned to love swimming just about as much as running, and THAT kept me sane. Now once I began to re-enter the world of running, I felt like a slug and was kinda down about it. I wasn’t so sure I’d get in shape in time for decent results in my first races of the season. I wasn’t even sure if I’d have the same enthusiasm for running. I was wrong. I keep trying to tell myself this situation is also a gift in a way – I’m able to relive the beginner’s steep improvement curve. On the other hand, I can’t stop wondering where my running skills and endurance would be now had I not stopped. Anyway, I’d be very happy bout some input here. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how did you deal with it?

I, too, have enjoyed the feeling of working my way back up the ladder. And strangely, on even fewer  days of running per week, I have reached a level of running fitness that has, in the past, taken me most of the summer to achieve. Maybe the cross-training? Maybe the fewer, but better-quality, runs are reaping better results due to the greater amount of rest and rebuilding time for the running muscles? Whatever the case, I have seen gradual improvement, and have gotten to where I wanted to be (or better). You can get back there, too, Nina, if you really want it. Don’t give up the chocolate altogether… that would rob you of one of the rewards that you’ll need after a particularly hard run. We need a treat now and then to feel good about ourselves. Deprivation doesn’t make a happy person. I think that stopping running for a while can do the body good. Running every day for years just doesn’t sound right to me. I know some folks (some in this ng, I believe) have done that… fine. But I know that my body begins to wear down and break down with that much of the same repetitive movements. And it can get boring, no matter how much you love the sport. To deal with the doubts, I began to set goals for myself again. It was nice to be "goal-less" for a while, and just go out and run, no time goals or anything, nothing to distract me from just running and enjoying the scenery. But eventually, when you want to see greater results and get back to fighting shape, some harder work is in order, and it’s difficult to maintain THAT kind of regimen without some clear goals in mind. Sounds like you are on the right track with a half marathon in mind this summer. Maybe  a shorter race now and then along the way will keep you keen and primed. Any other runners you can hook up with for buddy or group runs? Just some thoughts… hope they help. Cam

Response:

 I’ve found the only hard part is when I start again. I get tired so easily but after a while it all comes together and I’m back to where I was.

Doug, I’ve gotta agree that it was much harder 4 weeks or so ago when I was stumbling around doing 2-3 miles then being totally worn down. Right now I’m already feeling very dedicated and happy again about running. 17 miles ain’t 34, but it’s a serious start.  I think taking a significant break now and again is a good thing. It positions one better to make running part of a lifestyle habit that will likely be around 20 years from now.

Hey, thanks for this input. You know, it hadn’t even occurred to me to see my "time-out" as a good thing! 4-5 months is probably a bit much for a break, but I restarted now that I felt the urge again, and man, it sure is a good feeling that this urge did come through! cheers, nina

Response:

1)I developed a wide variety of running loops with varying terrain so that I was almost never doing the same type of run twice in a week. Before long, my mind stopped comparing how I felt at 9:00 pace during a run because this run was hilly and yesterday was not, etc.

I do vary my routes right now, in fact I am pretty excited about trying out different loops (also because I still don’t know all the parts of my new city so very well). I got stuck running the same two routes over and over last year, which didn’t feel too exciting anymore after a while. 2)I shortened my goal horizon artificially by entering some shorter races so I could simply monitor progress toward getting ready for a 5K in 4 weeks instead of looking at the huge 16-18 week stretch until marathon.

Interesting. I’ve been wondering whether or not it’d be a good idea to race. I’m feeling pretty shy about entering a race right now – I can’t tell if it’d be a good feeling (as in, I’M BACK) or a bad one (as in, I’M SO MUCH SLOWER THAN I USED TO BE)… also because racing really isn’t such a widespread activity round here and almost everyone who races is a "serious" runner who belongs to some club or other, so it’s real easy to come in last. 3)time passed and because it apparently takes less time to get back into good running fitness after a break than it took the first time (or last time), before long I was past that demoralized feeling and clicking along and feeling stronger.

It does, doesn’t it? I was amazed today that I could still run a couple of good sub 9:00s and not throw up. I’ve also returned to a halfway decent mileage sooner than I figured. So, yup, it is a steep curve, and that’s the nice part. 4)I tried to keep in mind that by taking some time off, I almost certainly avoided some kind of overtraining injury or burnout.

Thank you – that’s like the bingo input. YES, I WAS BURNING OUT. Yes, apart from being stressed out, apart from life getting in the way, apart from other stuff taking precedence, I was getting a bit fed up, I guess. Or, running didn’t feel so very precious and important anymore. Now, it does, again, and seen that way, I actually got something very positive out of that downtime: the will to run again, and the love for this wonderful sport. And, I’ve got all my life to run, so what’s a few months that I didn’t, if they made me continue… Thanks, again, Chris. I’m getting more and more excited about this 26.2 idea. cheers, nina

Response:

nina: I can sure relate. In high school I ran a 9:48 2-mile and a 4:29 1500 and given the chance could probably have knocked out a 17:00 5K. Even after a few months of laziness I ran a 10K in 38:33.

*gulp* That’s pretty impressive alright. Quite a running history! If I may ask, what made you stop back then? Now I’m doing a lot better, I’ve lost about 30 pounds and my times are improving beyond where they’ve been the past few years. Part of it was that I joined a gym and had some sessions with a personal trainer.

Oh, weight training? I’m wanting to get back into that next week, actually did some during the winter. I’m always amazed what a very positive body feeling it gives me. So yes, it’s tough going over the same ground again and again. Eventually you get to new territory. It just takes patience. You can do it, we both know you can. Just accept that there’s work involved.

Oh, I do. I mean it took a lot more work to get into running in the first place, compared to that, it’s real easy now  Patience is a key word – guess now’s the time to learn it. Thanks for the inspirational words, Brian. nina

Response:

Hey Nina! I think we’ve all been there. When one gets out of shape due to obligations or laziness or some combination thereof and, after a few months, we begin to run again, we naturally use our previous fitness level as a barometer as to how we are doing.  I’ve found the only hard part is when I start again. I get tired so easily but after a while it all comes together and I’m back to where I was.  I think taking a significant break now and again is a good thing. It positions one better to make running part of a lifestyle habit that will likely be around 20 years from now. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some ramblings and I wonder if anyone can relate. Last year (and the year before), every improvement just felt wonderfully precious and wonderful because I was constantly entering new territory. I think that constituted a big part of my positive attitude towards running. Right now, I am happy to improve, I am very happy to have done a 10miler this week, but it’s always got that bitter tinge of "I’m still so far from the shape I was in last year". When I run a 9:30 pace and it feels a bit brisk, instead of just being happy that I’m already running faster than the 10:00 of two weeks ago, I’m just thinking about how soon I can expect to return to the 9:00 easy pace of last year. That’s a main obstacle to getting back into the positive mindset – I don’t yet quite believe in myself as a runner again (which may also be the reason I can’t quite withstand the chocolate yet). I keep trying to tell myself this situation is also a gift in a way – I’m able to relive the beginner’s steep improvement curve. On the other hand, I can’t stop wondering where my running skills and endurance would be now had I not stopped. Anyway, I’d be very happy bout some input here. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how did you deal with it? cheers, nina

Response:

nina: I can sure relate. In high school I ran a 9:48 2-mile and a 4:29 1500 and given the chance could probably have knocked out a 17:00 5K. Even after a few months of laziness I ran a 10K in 38:33. So nowadays I’m real slow by comparison. More recently I was doing one or two ‘thons a year and feeling good about my fitness relative to my age. Then last year I didn’t train over the winter and got slow again — my 5K went from 22:30 to 23:35 and I was feeling frustrated. Eventually I got burned out and took two months off. By the time I felt I needed to get back in shape, my 10K was over 55 minutes. Bleah! Now I’m doing a lot better, I’ve lost about 30 pounds and my times are improving beyond where they’ve been the past few years. Part of it was that I joined a gym and had some sessions with a personal trainer. I’m working harder to take care of myself too. It felt great watching my race times approach, and then pass, last year’s and the year before’s. That’s been my motivation. Now I sort-of have the idea that I’m gonna catch up to a local runner who often wins her age group in local 5Ks. Even if I don’t — it’d mean shaving another 2-plus minutes off my time — It’s something to shoot for. So yes, it’s tough going over the same ground again and again. Eventually you get to new territory. It just takes patience. You can do it, we both know you can. Just accept that there’s work involved. Good luck! — Brian P. Baresch Fort Worth, Texas, USA Professional editing and proofreading If you’re going through hell, keep going. –Winston Churchill

Response:

Nina, last year I took off from running for almost two months due to preparations for moving to a new town; as a result, I lost some of my conditioning and had a long climb back (pun intended, as you will see) to get ready for a marathon in the fall. At first I did find it demoralizing to be slower and in less shape for hard running at distance. But four things helped me and perhaps would help you: 1)I developed a wide variety of running loops with varying terrain so that I was almost never doing the same type of run twice in a week. Before long, my mind stopped comparing how I felt at 9:00 pace during a run because this run was hilly and yesterday was not, etc. 2)I shortened my goal horizon artificially by entering some shorter races so I could simply monitor progress toward getting ready for a 5K in 4 weeks instead of looking at the huge 16-18 week stretch until marathon. 3)time passed and because it apparently takes less time to get back into good running fitness after a break than it took the first time (or last time), before long I was past that demoralized feeling and clicking along and feeling stronger. 4)I tried to keep in mind that by taking some time off, I almost certainly avoided some kind of overtraining injury or burnout. Good luck, just keep going. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some ramblings and I wonder if anyone can relate. Last year (and the year before), every improvement just felt wonderfully precious and wonderful because I was constantly entering new territory. I think that constituted a big part of my positive attitude towards running. Right now, I am happy to improve, I am very happy to have done a 10miler this week, but it’s always got that bitter tinge of "I’m still so far from the shape I was in last year". When I run a 9:30 pace and it feels a bit brisk, instead of just being happy that I’m already running faster than the 10:00 of two weeks ago, I’m just thinking about how soon I can expect to return to the 9:00 easy pace of last year. That’s a main obstacle to getting back into the positive mindset – I don’t yet quite believe in myself as a runner again (which may also be the reason I can’t quite withstand the chocolate yet). I keep trying to tell myself this situation is also a gift in a way – I’m able to relive the beginner’s steep improvement curve. On the other hand, I can’t stop wondering where my running skills and endurance would be now had I not stopped. Anyway, I’d be very happy bout some input here. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how did you deal with it? cheers, nina

Response:

Some ramblings and I wonder if anyone can relate. Last year (and the year before), every improvement just felt wonderfully precious and wonderful because I was constantly entering new territory. I think that constituted a big part of my positive attitude towards running. Right now, I am happy to improve, I am very happy to have done a 10miler this week, but it’s always got that bitter tinge of "I’m still so far from the shape I was in last year". When I run a 9:30 pace and it feels a bit brisk, instead of just being happy that I’m already running faster than the 10:00 of two weeks ago, I’m just thinking about how soon I can expect to return to the 9:00 easy pace of last year. That’s a main obstacle to getting back into the positive mindset – I don’t yet quite believe in myself as a runner again (which may also be the reason I can’t quite withstand the chocolate yet). I keep trying to tell myself this situation is also a gift in a way – I’m able to relive the beginner’s steep improvement curve. On the other hand, I can’t stop wondering where my running skills and endurance would be now had I not stopped. Anyway, I’d be very happy bout some input here. Has anyone been in a similar situation, and how did you deal with it? cheers, nina

Response: