Learning through Running

The other day Shannon had a four-mile run on her schedule. I asked her about it when we chatted in the hallway between classes. “Oh, I didn’t go. I had to drive my kids to practice, and then (voice drops and falters) I went out. I need to make it up. Maybe I’ll tack it on to today’s run.”

This is where I stopped her with unsolicited advice because--hey--ME.

“I would not suggest you add mileage to your run tonight, as you haven’t established a base yet, and even one more mile would be a significant add-on at this point. Let it go, learn from it, and move on.”

Shannon sometimes suffers from injuries, but today she suffered mostly from guilt, and I would hate for her to hurt herself in an attempt to make up a lost run. Too often we adhere to a rigid training plan, and when life gets in the way, we beat ourselves up. Does that mean I should drop a run anytime I don’t feel like getting out there? No. At this point in my running, I know what my options are when I feel like I need to bail, but it took me a while to figure it out.

I believe the first year of running is a way to learn more about yourself THROUGH running. The added mileage and endurance is a plus. When I explained this to Shannon, she asked, “What do you mean? What do I need to learn?”

Here are some things I learned about myself through running:

1. How and when I need to eat to have a successful run. For example, if I run six or fewer miles, I know that I don’t need to eat breakfast first. I can just wake up, chug at least sixteen ounces of water, and lace up. If I go longer, the rules change. I need to wake up at least one and one-half hours before I leave, eat a bagel with cream cheese, drink coffee and lots of water, and spend some quality time in the bathroom. I didn’t learn this the first time I ran more than six miles. It took me a good year to figure it out through trial and error.

2. Water is non-negotiable. I HAVE to drink at least six 8-oz. glasses of water a day, more if I’m running. If I run more than five miles, I have to carry my water with me or run where there are drinking fountains. The pre-run hydration is the most important part for me, though. Not drinking enough before a run is a bonk waiting to happen.

I have at least five more lessons that I have learned through running. Wanna read them? Then click here to get the whole post.

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