Because yesterday, I watched my team kick butt at the Essex Invitational and was as nervous and excited as if I were running myself.
Because last night, I was at my wits end and grabbed my running shoes and headed out for an hour. In that hour, I felt like I was flying. I don't know if it was the cooler temperatures, the need to blow off steam or overly rested legs, but it was the best run I've had in ages.
Because in the midst of some of the craziest days of my life, lacing up my running shoes is something I can do and instantly regain control over the chaos.
Showing posts with label balance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label balance. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Showcase Showdown
I usually leave my relationship musings on my Tumblr account, but since this one ties into running, it's landing here.
A friend and I were discussing relationships the other day and the inevitable compromises, when he quipped, "It's sort of like choosing the Showcase Showdown at the end of the Price is Right." While I balked at first to any comparison drawn between Bob Barker and a relationship, I think he might be right. For those unfamiliar, the contestant must consider the showcase offered, and either bid or pass. If you bid, you are stuck with that showcase, no matter how fabulous the second one turns out to be. If you pass, you're stuck with the second showcase (assuming the other person doesn't do a better job of bidding...)
What's the benefit of choosing a showcase err significant other who runs? For non-runners, running often seems like a punishment and answering the first date question of "What do you like to do for fun?" with "running" or "marathons" can be deadly. Assuming you make it past the first date, your new flame is likely to discover that you spend a lot of time running, that your toenails are really messed up and that you will never, ever sleep in on Sunday. Add to that the fact that you talk about running incessantly, are miserable during taper and have a food budget that almost matches that of your rent and you may not be the catch you think you are.
Dating a runner can be equally treacherous. Beat a guy one time in a race and the dynamic can be forever upset when you discover that he doesn't like being chicked, even by his girlfriend. What was once your individual quiet time becomes couple time and can be crowded with resentment of the intrusion. A boyfriend once ditched me on a run because we had such a big fight about him one-stepping me. And then there was the time I forgot to register us for Boston...
What do you think? Does it matter if your significant other runs? Is it reason enough to choose or pass on a showcase? Funny running-related relationship stories?
And remember, help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed and neutered.
Run On
~S
A friend and I were discussing relationships the other day and the inevitable compromises, when he quipped, "It's sort of like choosing the Showcase Showdown at the end of the Price is Right." While I balked at first to any comparison drawn between Bob Barker and a relationship, I think he might be right. For those unfamiliar, the contestant must consider the showcase offered, and either bid or pass. If you bid, you are stuck with that showcase, no matter how fabulous the second one turns out to be. If you pass, you're stuck with the second showcase (assuming the other person doesn't do a better job of bidding...)
What's the benefit of choosing a showcase err significant other who runs? For non-runners, running often seems like a punishment and answering the first date question of "What do you like to do for fun?" with "running" or "marathons" can be deadly. Assuming you make it past the first date, your new flame is likely to discover that you spend a lot of time running, that your toenails are really messed up and that you will never, ever sleep in on Sunday. Add to that the fact that you talk about running incessantly, are miserable during taper and have a food budget that almost matches that of your rent and you may not be the catch you think you are.
Dating a runner can be equally treacherous. Beat a guy one time in a race and the dynamic can be forever upset when you discover that he doesn't like being chicked, even by his girlfriend. What was once your individual quiet time becomes couple time and can be crowded with resentment of the intrusion. A boyfriend once ditched me on a run because we had such a big fight about him one-stepping me. And then there was the time I forgot to register us for Boston...
What do you think? Does it matter if your significant other runs? Is it reason enough to choose or pass on a showcase? Funny running-related relationship stories?
And remember, help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed and neutered.
Run On
~S
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Flexibility
This post has nothing to do with touching my toes or Downward Dog. I do neither particularly well, and although that kind of flexibility is also on my to-do list, the flexibility to which I refer today is of a more global variety.
Today was supposed to be my first official 20 miler of the Boston cycle (I did 19.5 last week, but it wasn't official). Last night, however, Burlington got 9 inches of heavy, wet snow and because it's a weekend, the sidewalks haven't received much attention. To top it off, I have a chemistry and biology exam on Wednesday and a practice MCAT next Sunday, plus my regular 40 hour work week staring me in the face. So, I didn't do 20 miles today. I didn't even do 10. I slogged for an hour tonight between practice sets and returned looking like a human slush puppy. But I got out there.
Life or not, Boston is coming. Long runs are vital. But so is sanity. I'm a runner but I'm also a researcher, a student, a daughter and a sister. So when weeks like this crop up, I start bargaining with myself. If all else fails, I try for at least an hour of running a day. If the wheels really come off the bus, I sneak out for 30 minutes. On really bad days, I settle for ten minutes and some crunches. But those days are rare. Years of experience have taught me that running makes me a better/kinder/more focused researcher/student/daughter/sister. As such, I can rationalize 30 minutes of running taken from all my other responsibilities.
How flexible are you? What do you do to figure out how to balance running, the demands of the marathon and the inevitable life monster that disrupts even the more organized of people?
Run On.
~S
Today was supposed to be my first official 20 miler of the Boston cycle (I did 19.5 last week, but it wasn't official). Last night, however, Burlington got 9 inches of heavy, wet snow and because it's a weekend, the sidewalks haven't received much attention. To top it off, I have a chemistry and biology exam on Wednesday and a practice MCAT next Sunday, plus my regular 40 hour work week staring me in the face. So, I didn't do 20 miles today. I didn't even do 10. I slogged for an hour tonight between practice sets and returned looking like a human slush puppy. But I got out there.
Life or not, Boston is coming. Long runs are vital. But so is sanity. I'm a runner but I'm also a researcher, a student, a daughter and a sister. So when weeks like this crop up, I start bargaining with myself. If all else fails, I try for at least an hour of running a day. If the wheels really come off the bus, I sneak out for 30 minutes. On really bad days, I settle for ten minutes and some crunches. But those days are rare. Years of experience have taught me that running makes me a better/kinder/more focused researcher/student/daughter/sister. As such, I can rationalize 30 minutes of running taken from all my other responsibilities.
How flexible are you? What do you do to figure out how to balance running, the demands of the marathon and the inevitable life monster that disrupts even the more organized of people?
Run On.
~S
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