1.
In my teens and 20’s, I ran for competition. In
my 30’s I ran to control my weight. In my 40’s, I run to keep my heart healthy.
I have loved running the most in my 20’s and 40’s. Apparently, running to
control my weight isn’t as much fun.
2.
I prefer running outside during the winter.
Here’s a truth: I don’t want to be hit by your car any more than you want to
hit me. When people are too busy or lazy to shovel their sidewalks, let’s just
agree to share the road.
3.
A running partner can be a great thing; however,
if in Minnesota, be sure to choose a timely running partner. Waiting for her to
show up in summer while the mosquitoes swarm in to drain your life blood is not
fun. Likewise, standing around in -10F temps? Not going to happen.
4.
I have a lot of running gear. Treadmill junkies
have it easy. They only need gear for a 70F gym. I have to have gear for temps
ranging from 105F to -10F (that’s the coldest I’ll go. Back in the day, I might
have ventured out in colder temps, but this girl is too old for that now).
5.
Running outside has made me a better driver,
particularly when looking both ways before I turn. Just this morning I nearly
sent a women to the ER with a heart attack when she turned at the last second and
nearly hit me.
6.
I know the law about pedestrians having right of
way, and for some reason, I’ve taken it upon myself to educate all drivers who
encounter me at intersections while I’m running. It’s harder for me to break
stride and sit at the corner while you turn than it is for you to wait the 4
seconds it takes me to cross the street. Just be patient.
7.
I don’t see running as my social time. It’s not
my me-time. It’s not supposed to take a huge chunk of my day. Outdoor running
allows me to decide to go for a run and be out the door in less than 3 minutes.
Depending on how far I go, the entire endeavor can easily take less than half
an hour. The benefits from a run long or short will last me all day.
8.
I want to run for my entire life. For that
reason, you will never see me training for a marathon or some other race that
will require my posting huge mileage. It’s not sustainable for me. I typically
run three 8-min pace miles 4-5 times a week. It works for me. More importantly,
it is enough to keep my heart healthy and my mind happy.
9.
Once I learned that it was the food I was eating
that was preventing my losing weight, I began to enjoy running on an entirely
new level (see #1). I used to say, “Well, I ate that extra piece of cake, so
I’d better log a couple extra miles” and then see no difference from the run.
News Alert! You can’t outrun a bad diet. Taking the pressure off of my running
to control my weight has brought a joy to running that I haven’t experienced
since I ran competitively in college.
10.
I kind of think people who run on treadmills are
wussies. Don’t get me wrong: I’m glad you’re running, but deep down in my
secret “I know I shouldn’t say this out loud” place, I think a real runner has
to have contact with the ground while battling the elements to be able to call
themselves runners. And yes, I did just go running straight on into a 25mph.
And it was AWESOME. J
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