Over the past weeks this blog has explored the many areas of running that have close connections to life. I have talked about the trials of running, the pain, the physical and mental difficulty, and many other aspects that make running such a unique sport. In this post I hope to wrap all of that up and think that I may have gotten a few of you out on the road.
As I have constantly pointed out, running is not an easy sport. It is commonly mistaken for a simple activity that requires mindless effort, after all, all you do is run right? It is a very simple sport. It's beauty lies in the purely primal nature. While it is just running, there is an internal battle raging within our mind that threatens to corrode our physical effort. Yet as runners we learn to accept this battle and push through. We enjoy the simplicity of a running as we hear only our feet hit the ground and our sharp breaths.
As for motivation we as runners see something ahead of us. As Arthur Blank wrote, "I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and you realize you're capable of so much more than you thought" The symbolicalness of running is hard to miss. If you think of running as a great journey, you can draw so much on the lessons learned in running.
When we start running it is hard. It sucks and it really is not that fun. Being out of shape and wheezing hurts. Yet after a few weeks, pushing past the simple physical discomfort has become a simple thing of the past. Yet everyday new obstacles come our way, like when the only way back home means running up a hill that you swear will kill you. Or the run that you just feel like crap on, or even an injury. Yet runners overcome all of this in life and on the run.
The journey never ends with running. New experiences are constantly coming. Running partners, new trails, and races bring excitement and adversity into the sport. These experiences make us better runners and better people. While the things we learn as running benefit us physically, they translate to our everyday lives. As we learn to push past pain and hardships, we become more motivated and driven.
The journey of running never truly ends. Each run is a new adventure, and an opportunity to truly find ourselves. There are many reasons why people run. Some run for the thirst of competition, others run to stay fit or simply enjoy the weather. Whatever your reason, enjoy the sport and all it had to offer.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Your best Buddies
Typically on this blog I focus on the many parallels between the sport of running and various aspects of our daily lives. This blog however I would like to give some simple tips I have learned over the past few years of running. In a sense I could relate these tips to my life. These tips have been learned over a long period with many mistakes taking place before I finally learned what I needed. It takes time to develop as a runner, and these tips I have learned mark my experience in the sport. Of all the tips I have learned, picking the right running shoe is the most important.
I once heard a quote from my coach that went something like, "Cinderella is living proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life". While the most important part of a runner is attitude, something has to carry that attitude; and the feet are the poor suckers who get stuck with that job. The feet are without a doubt the most important part of the body to take care of for a runner. Care for them and they will carry you the distance. Your shoes are your best buddies. What this means for you is buy the right shoes.
When I was team captain, I encouraged so many of my teammates wearing flashy Nike running shoes that were lightweight, but offered no support. When it comes to shoes, everyone is different. Different shoes are better for some, but a general rule of thumb is to buy shoes with a lot of support.
Those with very flat feet need the most support of all.
There are four main categories of running shoes. Runners World recognizes 4 types of shoes: Minimalist, Performance, Stability, and Neutral. Minimalist shoes are lightweight and should only be used if you have high arches and are running fairly short distances. Neutral is a good balance of support and weight, while stability is best for those with flat feet. Performance shoes are generally for track workouts or races. To determine what type you need, I would generally try to go to a speciality running store for the owner to advise you. This also means you should never order shoes online unless you have tried the shoe before.
When purchasing shoes keep in mind a few things. The type of running you do will determine your shoe needs. Depending on how far you are running, you may need more stability. If you are running long distances, a stability shoe may be best. However, if you are generally running shorter distances with a focus on speed, neutral shoes are your best best. Secondly, although it seems obvious, purchase a shoe that fits properly, which basically rules out online shoe shopping. A shoe that doesn't fit makes you injury and blister prone. Thirdly, Nike shoes, as cool as they are, are bad for your feet. If you are willing to spend the money, try looking in to Mizuno or Brooks.
If your feet fail, you won't be running too far. There is a lot of awesome running gear out there, but the most important part is your set of sneakers. Invest in a good pair that fits your needs and keep those feet happy. Keep them happy and you as a runner will also be happy.
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