Why I Run

So here we are 10 days out until the ½ Marathon. I’m excited and nervous. My body is starting to rebel. I’m catching a bit of a something – not sure what & my ankles are a bit sore, but I’m managing.

Along with late night dinner plans this Friday, I’ve got a full weekend – long run Saturday – birthday dinner for my sister on Saturday and then the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday. It’s key that I am in my best mind frame.

So next week, as much as I love my friends and family, I’m cutting myself off a bit. I’m going to concentrate on the day to day tasks that must be done, and then really focus on Sunday’s journey.

Today, in my Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter the race director Don Kern included an email he received from Olympian Paul McMullen – who will be running the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon.

Paul addressed: What’s the deal with running. I read this and had a total AHA! Moment – this - this is why I run!

I’ve pulled a few key quotes from this email.

Paul said:
Running is by definition a way to cover ground quickly and has proven to be one of the most attractive attributes in a member of society since the beginning of time.

In early times fast runners ate better than slow runners. They also performed as scouts warning their tribes of enemy troop movements. Today, runners deal with stress well and are typically more emotionally balanced. They are doers and discover solutions before the sedentary. They intimately know their neighborhood. They come up with great ideas during long miles of breathing, sweating, and pounding. Runners have passion; they are willing to suffer a long time for something they want. They are not interested in instant gratification or a quick high; they plan, prepare, and execute until they achieve their goal.
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On race day we see thousands of runners going in the same direction. It is a phenomenon of positive momentum. It is a moment at which we all in unison draw the line in the sand AGAINST several things: most notably, procrastination and laziness, age and gender, and quitting and getting fat. Most importantly during a marathon you are guaranteed to see the human spirit at its best.

Thank you Don Kern, Race director for posting this and thank you Paul McMullen for your inspiring words. I’m only running ½ the distance Paul is – but everything he says is true. I look forward to the experience. And maybe – just maybe – next you you’ll catch me running the full 26.2 miles!

Loosing Motivation

With two weeks left until I run the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, I’m finding that my motivation is lacking.

Today I woke up, ready to hit the road for a 10 mile run, but my sinuses had a different plan. I have such a sinus headache, my head is clogged and I feel like I haven’t slept in ages. This is not good.

I know that I need to be at my peak and I’m worried that it’s not going to happen. My plan is to just take it easy today and then these next two weeks seriously. I’m making sure that I’m eating enough carbs, and I’m adding the vitamin B for energy. My runs will have to take place after work, and that’s tough, I’ve already put in a full day, but I just have to keep plugging along.

I’ve worked so hard. I have remind myself that the mind is much stronger than the body and these next two weeks will require 100% focus from me. It will be tough but I have to just dig and dig deep.