(This is my awesome barely 3 year old son, RUNNING up the hiking trail we went on in Tennessee. When we stopped to wait for others he just kept asking, "Can I run now?" That memory epitomizes this post.)
It has been too long between posts, and I hope to do better.
First of all, it has been so hard to get out running. I have been reading about running. Thinking about running. Planning training ideas. But I can't seem to get out the door. Part of this is that it is so hard to go out for a run with little kids, especially when I am so darn picky. I hate running strollers (plus ours only fits one), and I don't care for treadmills at all. I also live in a rougher neighborhood, so I have to either go somewhere else or plan my run during specific parts of the day. And I live in Arizona, which adds the whether to the variables. To make a long complaint short, I am just finding excuses because running is hard, and getting back into running is harder. It gets frustrating to know that a year ago I was running 10+ miles for my long runs, and 4-6 miles on my other runs, yet I can't go 3 miles without stopping. So I am working on shifting my focus to just running for the enjoyment of it, with the underlying goal of getting to 3 miles straight (and then of course I'll have to start actually training at some point shortly after).
This brings me to my second topic - Born to Run. I had heard a few things about this book from various friends, and I remember when there was a sudden focus on the whole minimalist running based on the Tarahumara tribes in Mexico. Since I had a trip and spring break coming up, I bought the book, and man, am I glad I did! I can honestly say it is one of the best books I've ever read. Even my nephew (who's older than I am) picked it up while at our reunion and finished it within a few days because he just couldn't put it down. While I am weird and actually prefer non-fiction books, I understand that they are often dry and I rarely finish them. This is not that kind of book. While it is full of so much information, it is written by telling different people's stories, and it really read like a novel.
It tells about the tribes in Mexico who are crazy shy, but throw huge drunken parties and go out the next morning and run up to 300 mile races. It tells about various ultra runners (those who race 50 and 100+ miles races, usually on trails) and their love of the sport. Then there is the illusive Caballo who is an American living and running among the Tarahumara, whose story changes depending on who you talk to. And scientists who stumble across amazing facts about how our bodies are really made to run. This book is funny, interesting, moving, and just makes me want to strap on my shoes (or not) and run. The thing I love most is how it emphasizes the love of running. All of these runners that come out of nowhere and just run 50 miles a day because no one ever told them they aren't supposed to be able to do that. I also love all the evidence that we as human are in fact born to run. I've heard so often "We're not really made to run." "Running is dangerous." Running is bad for your body." And the weird belief from the 70's that has somehow stuck, "Running will damage your uterus" . . . or jiggle things loose . . . or make it fall out . . . and weird things like that.
I'd tell you all the details of this book, but honestly - you just have to go and enjoy it yourself. I will give the warning, for those who are offended by such things, that there is some language in this book. Mostly mild, but a handful of f-bombs. It kind of makes me sad because I understand why they're there, but coming from a more conservative crowd, there are many people I know who sadly will never read this book and enjoy it's treasures because of a few words that didn't need to be there. But that's another topic for another day.
So as I read this book and contemplated how I need to return to just running because I love it, I was at a family reunion in Tennessee. We were just outside of Pigeon Forge, for those of you who know TN. Coming from Arizona, which has it's on unique beauty, I have fallen in love with the green lusciousness of Tennessee. Here's the beautiful house we stayed in:
While there, I went on a 2 1/2 mile run with my niece, and then another 2 miles run later by myself. Below is a picture from that run. Honestly, I went for that second run because I knew I was leaving the next day and it'd be my last chance to run on that beautiful road. The other beauty of running in Tennessee? The drivers. Note that there are no shoulders on this road, or any of them for that matter. But the drivers not only would give way more room than needed (especially since I'd jump into the grass, mud, and whatever else next to the road), but they'd smile and wave while doing it. AZ? My experience has been quite the opposite, but thankfully I avoid the streets and run on sidewalks or tracks for that reason.
But here I am, back home in the great desert, trying to find the motivation, time, and energy to just go run. So it's time for compromises with myself. Treadmill, stroller, you name it. I've got to just get myself out there because September is right around the corner, and 13.1 miles aren't going to run themselves. I just need to remember that while the circumstances may not be perfect, I can return to that love of running I found last year, and just enjoy it. If I do that, I really believe the rest will start to fall into place.
