Part of my weekend, as is for most people in training, is my weekend long run. I had 10 miles on the schedule for me and I was really dreading it for some reason. That dread followed me all the way to my run to the point where I had to stop shortly after I started to have a talk with myself. I had to tell my head to shut up and let me enjoy the run. Ironically, after that talking to, my run got better...a lot better.
I have friends that are non-runners that I only mention my running to because I can see their eyes glaze over when I talk about it a little too much. They ask how many miles I ran and as I say the quantity pretty nonchalantly, they just shake their heads and say "I don't know how/why you do it", or "I don't get it, how can you run all that way?" I try to explain but it doesn't seem to come out right, or they don't understand, but this quote for today's Momentum Monday seems to hit the nail on the head.
Then I realized that no matter how much I explain why or how, they will never get it, unless they are a runner themselves. I didn't get it. I sometimes still don't get it. I was one of the people that would heckle those that would run "for fun". It made no sense to run for the sake of running, you had no where you were going or running against someone, it didn't make sense.
Until I started running.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of being totally fatigued and spent from a run. That delightful ache in your muscles from having given your all to the run. That drained and "empty" feeling after leaving it all out on the road/trail/course. These not only bring the need for copious amounts of water and air that you may be gasping for when you finish, but they also bring smiles and feelings of joy and accomplishment. The buzz of energy coursing through your veins from having exerted so much.
These things and more are what I gained when I began running and continue to reap the benefits from as I continue to train. No matter how much I talk to people who don't run about all these crazy benefits I get from running my tail off, they still don't get it, and they may never get it. Until they are a runner.
Not it's your turn: Do you agree? Do you have non-running friends that have the same reaction as mine?
I ran the Tacoma Narrows Half on Saturday. I always aim for a sub-2 and better than that a PR. It was a hilly race, but for all the up hill there was a great down hill. I got a 2 minute PR. I felt great, and still do about the accomplishment. However walking up and down stairs was brutal yesterday and only a little better today. I'm paying for that PR, but I would not change a thing.
ReplyDeleteOh man! I've been wanting to run that race since I learned about it last year! Congrats on the PR! Just consider difficult stair climbing a reminder of your awesomeness! :)
DeleteOh definitely! I try and try to describe it, explain it, and find the right words, but I don't think it's something you can really put words to, I think you have to FEEL it to understand it! I think I sound sadistic to my friends, sometimes. They think I like PAIN b/c sometimes that is how I describe it...but it's far more than that...well, you know!
ReplyDeleteOh totally! My friends feel the same way that I am sadistic in some degree that I enjoy the pain. Good thing us runners have each other to lament to about our runner issues to! :)
DeleteMy non running friends think I am nuts and really only listen to me for about 5 minutes and then it's over. It's SO hard to put into words...!
ReplyDeleteKaren @karenlovestorun
It is! I agree! You see the eyes glaze over and you know that you've lost them.
DeleteMy own husband is one of those non-runners that gets the glazed over look. He's really supportive of me but once I start talking about Garmins and negative splits and which compression gear I like best he's no longer with me. It's kind of neat to be part of an elite club that only certain people can "get".
ReplyDeleteHahahah...I know what you mean. My hubby did the same thing too. He's super supportive and asks about my runs, but I try not to go too technical on my explanations, I tend to lose his interest when I do. ;)
DeleteI lot of my friends give me the "nod and smile" routine, but I don't mind. I get a lot of "why?!!!" as well. ;) I'm lucky that my husband is a runner, too, so he plays along with my excitement over running. Now only if I can get him to be as excited about Disney... ;)
ReplyDeleteSee I have the opposite with my hubby, he LOVES Disney just as much as me, but not that into running. Which is fine and I don't mind because then I have something that is just for me, my hobby and something I don't have to share.
DeleteAND...those of us that have husbands that LOVE Disney have to count our blessings! I have a friend and her husband hated it. She probably won't go back b/c they really only have money for one vacation a year (or she would go without him happily) and want to spend it together. I feel bad for her...Rey was hooked by the 2nd day of our first trip! LOL
DeleteTrue story! Sometimes the love of Disney is harder to explain than running to people! Sucky for your friend, that would be tough for me, no doubt! I'm just glad that hubby enjoys it just as much as I do. We always have such a good time there together, just like little kids again!
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