RUN 42

I've always thought that running is 50% physical strength and 50% mental strength, at least in my experience. I've proved this to myself on many runs; training, for fun, and when racing. My first race of 2009 is a perfect example, a snow and ice storm came through Chicago the morning of the race turning the road into slush and my feet into ice... i ran a personal best that morning. Mustering up the resolve to face the challenge is something that really appeals to me, and elevates a successful run to an even more satisfying level. Mental strength needs training just as much as form, cadence and muscle strength. Sometimes I'll let my mind wander when a run starts getting tough, I'll place a word like 'strength' or 'power' in my mind and let it conjure up images randomly that reflect those words... all kinds of images crop up; the hulk, the space shuttle, volcanoes, ... focusing on the imagery helps me more than talking myself up, which i know a lot of other runners do. Sometimes i run past this old mill, i noticed the wheel today as the water was faster flowing than Ive noticed before... the power of the water and the eternal rotating of the wheel seemed like a perfect image to hold in my mind. The water never stops flowing and the wheel keeps a steady pace as it turns and turns. Anything is possible i think if you really put your body and mind to it.

RUN 41

I've always thought of my running as a very personal private endeavor, free of distraction and confusions of the day. The same is true when racing, even if it's with 40,000 other people; I've only ever trained with one person and I've never joined a training team. That's all because of the pleasure I get from pushing myself, testing my determination to succeed. I realize though that whether I like it or not I'm part of a wider community of runners who are just like me, with many of the same goals, successes and failures... By the midpoint of toady's run I was completely alone running out into the lake on a jetty, by the end I was sprinting the final mile, when a cyclist who looked more like a runner rode by and shouted out encouragement saying "great pace dude!!!"

RUN 40

It's all too easy to think of fitness as an optional part of life, we're made to feel it's a chore, motivated by guilt and sidelined by the pressures of modern life we create around ourselves. We each have one body to live our lives with, to live out our dreams, to give our all to those we love. It's up to us to choose what we value and expect of ourselves, as easy as it may seem for some people, it's simply a path that traveled one step at a time, regardless of pace.

RUN 39

Sunday morning recovery runs feel simply amazing. Regardless of your training schedule or goals, the weeks runs have likely culminated in a tougher Saturday long run, and Sunday morning is just for you; it doesn't matter how long, fast or slow you go, it's all for you, a reward you can savor and enjoy, soak up the world around you and breathe a sigh before the next week begins. The sense of accomplishment multiplies the feeling of contentment many times over.

RUN 38

One persons obsession is another persons dedication. Any runner will tell you running can be easy and peaceful or it can be excruciatingly painful. It doesn't matter what level you're running at or what the distance, by varying the level of effort input you can change the
experience entirely. That's not to say the latter is worse, it may be at the time; especially if running on an 80F+ day at noon, the reward simply increases with the effort. So why bother? If you're a 2m a day runner, why go for 4 or 6? The answer is at the end of that run.

RUN 37

Every run begins with a single step, and they get longer step by step, remembering this simple fact is the most effective motivator for me; each step is followed by another and that's how progress is made.

RUN 36

The moments of life spent running are among the simplest. Stripped of complexity and confusion and emotion. They are rewarding in the the most raw sense, and I treasure every one for what they give me as a person and what they allow me to give those I love and care for.

RUN 35

Sometimes you just need to run away. Running gives the mind the opportunity to escape, recharge and get perspective, before returning to life with renewed enthusiasm and positivity.

RUN 34

There's always someone fitter and faster than you are; maybe ever will be. How we process those interactions can have either a positive or negative affect. You yourself will likewise always be fitter and faster than a number of other people. However we all have our own particular goals and lifestyles, it's futile then to compare ourselves to others, as it does nothing except to distract us from achieving our own goals.

RUN 33

Running has taught me the meaning of 'dedication' but also the rewards of dedicating yourself to something. It doesn't matter what it is, your fitness, your intellect, your family, your career, the happiness of others less fortunate, dedication in the face of adversity, your partner in life or your life goals. Dedication repays effort many times over, and the satisfaction gained from those efforts has no substitute. Dedication is impressive and inspiring; I'm inspired by my wife, and many of my friends and family too who do so much for others and to improve themselves, whether they realize they're doing it, or not.

RUN 32

Rest day today, just a short jog to loosen up following a longer midweek run yesterday, and in anticipation of a longer run tomorrow. Looking forward to some late summer/fall (autumn) races.

RUN 31

Tonight was the perfect summer evening run, nothing behind me except for the dimming boom of fireworks at navy pier, nothing in front of me but an empty trail and the faint blinking of a cyclists light in the distant night drawing ever closer until we occupy the same space for the briefest of moments, then I'm alone and running again, repeat for the next 8 miles and an hour of bliss.

I've written several times about balance and the positive energy running fills me with. I was reminded tonight that balance needs to swing both ways, running brings balance to my life, but it too needs to be balanced and can't be allowed, just like all aspects of our lives, nothing can be allowed to create imbalance. Life is full of opportunities each and every day. Every day has the potential to be the greatest or worst of our lives, and everything g in between, it's entirely up to us decided where in that range each day falls.

Writing this blog with my wife falling asleep in my arms, after finishing a 8m run at sub 8min pace and feeling like I could keep running all night, I'd say that was pretty 'awesome'

RUN 30

Making the most of every opportunity can be both challenging and rewarding, adjusting a schedule or expectations to balance liefs necessities is a skill which you need to keep in the back of your mind at all times so that its possible to give equal priority to the different parts of life which have the potential to be rewarding and meaningful. Like running, spending time with my wife, with my friends too... giving time to other and spending it alone... balancing all of this against work... which is one of the most powerful elements of most peoples lives, and the one which, if you don't remain conscious of it... will leave you with no time to spend elsewhere.

RUN 29

Each run serves its own purpose, regardless of how long, short, fast or slow it is, or how flat or hilly, rough or smooth the route... there is something to be gained from every step. I think when i first realised this about my running, i began to build greater efficiency and a stronger positive attitude... its been a very long time since i had a "bad run" i think that means I'm getting better at understanding my abilities, the development of my fitness and what my boundaries are. Although the longest race i have scheduled through the summer is half marathon, a distance I'm now very comfortable running anytime; my casual training this year has improved my speed a lot though. Becoming more self aware in running has taught me something about life too. It can only be a good thing, taking the time to regularly stop and check on your lifes value, progress and your contribution to the lives of the people around you.

RUN 28

I don't run every day, sometimes it just doesn't work out or I choose
to spend that time doing something else with friends or my wife, or
during a week when work is especially busy; like this week was.
Missing three days is as much as I can handle, but I suppose those
days are as important as any other, I could have gotten up an extra
hour earlier and ran, but then it would have felt forced and that's
exactly what I want to avoid, running g brings me balance, and it
needs to balance itself too.

RUN 27

I love days where I'm able to use running as an alternative to driving
or using public transport, I carpooled with my friend today and ran
home from his place downtown. The other thing I love about that is a
run from point "a" to point "b" rather than having to create a round
trip route from home or from work. Although a little longer than my
usual midweek runs, especially after a long run yesterday, it was
definitely a positive workout. Following a busy day at work, and with
some financial juggling to organize mentally, my mind was racing as
much as I was. I've found when I'm so mentally preoccupied my form
and efficiency improves, maybe as I'm distracted and can relax to my
natural rhythm. There's something special about running home too,
knowing that my wife is there waiting for me, thoughts of her
underneath all the other stuff always rise to the top to motivate me.
Just as when I'm racing, knowing she's there at the finish line drives
me forward, supporting each other in our lives endeavours, even if;
especially if those endeavours are individual pursuits.

RUN 26

Sometimes I don't know how I'm going to feel during or after a run, the amount of sleep I've had, time of day or what I've eaten can effect performance and mental response. Other days like today I know exactly what to expect. 85F+ bright sunshine it was a beautiful day, I had a long run to complete and my wife dropped me on the north side, while she ran errands, I ran home. Its tough for me running in the heat, but it's good practice at discipline; controlling pace, stating hydrated, maintaining good form and controlling my stride, on days like this my mind focuses solely on efficient running form and monitoring my heart rate and hydration. Jumping in the cool lake after those 10 miles and a little over an hour in direct sun, feels amazing.

RUN 25

I enjoy my running more when i dont stick to a specific training routine, unless training for a full marathon. Im more satisfied by running being part of my lifestyle, eliminating the pressure to train allows me to recongise the mental benefits of every run i take, no matter how long or vigerous. I try to take advantage of every running oppertunity, and if life doesnt go according to plan, then being able to change with it and adapt your expectations turns potential dissapointment into something positive. Regardless of how much time i have, or how tired i might be, theres always an oppertunity to explore. Today i expect to be a busy day, so picking up my pace in a fartlek run helps maximise the reward for the time i chose to dedicate today.

RUN 24

Chicago's lake shore has 18 miles of running path! and the diversity of runners i share it with always amazes me. Every age, every color, every level of fitness imaginable, all with their own reasons for being there... the path itself offers every surface, pavement, gravel, grass, sand, snow & ice!...it's an amazing resource available to the millions of people i live in this city with. The weather often determines the demographic of runners you might be sharing the trail with, so does the time of day, hard core runners are more often running earlier, later and in all weathers. However i think I've noticed an increase in 'weight loss runners' these people amaze and motivate me, and make me think about 'effort'. As i run by them at my 'half' pace of 7:00m or even marathon pace of 8:24... i wonder how our effort compares, and I'm reminded that determination to succeed, whether your goal is a 1:30:00 half marathon, a sub 4:00:00 marathon, or to loose another 10lbs, has the power to let you achieve anything you set your mind and body too. Running teaches you that quite quickly.