RUN 76 - channelling emotion

Just as running has the power to raise the spirit and improve your mood, the reverse is true too; the acuteness of your mood (positive or negative) can fuel the running effort, channelling that energy into a run serves to heighten the training and neutralize the emotional energy brought to that run. [8.24m-01:04:23-07:48/m]

[Chicago Night Sky]

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RUN 75 - anything is possible

I've had several opportunities in my life so far to stand by my belief that anything is possible - should you truly want it & if you commit 100% of yourself; now my wife and I continue to challenge ourselves and live by this mantra. With these last few runs I've officially begun my training program for my upcoming coastal marathons in December, January, April & May. It's going to be a huge challenge especially in conditions I'm not yet used to, but that challenge is what drives me and feeds my confidence; just as it does in my personal life, and just as it does tonight running in a 40-50mph windstorm. Be open to the idea that anything is possible and you might just surprise yourself. [5m-41:20-07:58/m]

[East Lagoon Harbor, Chicago, USA]

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RUN 74

I believe just as we eat and breathe, we need to be able to free our minds; to wander unguided, in and out of unconstrained ideas and dreams. Running gives me that opportunity, normal time constraints fall away, the minutes and miles tick by as each step becomes part of the space around you and your form flows free from tension, as does your mind. [10.45m-01:26:58-08:19/m]

[Nature Preserve, Lake Shore, Chicago, USA]

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RUN 73

Some of my strongest and best runs have been at least expected and likely times; with an early morning hangover, after a completing a race or late at night when your instinct is to sleep. Perhaps because of the heightened level of difficult or adversity, either way it proves the power of an open mind and the value of challenging who you think you are and what you're capable of. [5.15m 43:33 08:27/mi]

[Chicago Night Skyline]

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RUN 72

Life has so many opportunities and challenges available to us. I've never been afraid of a challenge, reveled in it in fact, making a marriage out of a trans Atlantic relationship, moving to another country, and now I have a wife to travel life's challenges. Today I signed up to take part in four stages of the Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series and will run four cross country marathons between December and May. I've met and exceeded all my running goals this year and move into this next series if challenges with confidence and excitement! [2.13m 14:51 06:58/mi]

[Regents Park , Chicago, USA]

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RUN 71

Summer is officially over today, which for most people is not something to revel in... for a runner it absolutely is. Fall (autumn) is the perfect running season. Each new season is an exciting time, new challenges from the same runs and routes. Especially winter in Chicago which can be a brutal test of a runners motivation; running on 3 inches of ice or through 2-3 foot snow drifts or just a regular old snow storm in -30F winds. But were not there yet, we have a whole season of beautifully mild perfect running days to make the most of. [4.01m 31:55 07:58/mi]

[View North from 63rd St Beach Pier , Chicago, USA]

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RUN 70

Running is very personal, its a personal challenge and so are the rewards but I'm learning there is much that can be learned from also sharing the experience and allowing others to challenge you with their own insight. That collaboration is a philosophy which i pride myself on in work and my relationship, and is becoming part of this aspect of my life too. Balancing it with my individual growth has potential to improve both sides.

[Harold Washington Park, Chicago, USA]

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RUN 69

Running and training builds confidence and an awareness of ones ability, which is invaluable to recall when a run gets tough, it pushes you through. I wonder how that perception of ability and potential relates to the reality? Does your training and running pattern determine the realms of our potential? i don't think so. I think its easy to arrive at a place where you feel you've reached your potential and stop taking risks, taking comfort in familiarity. Whenever I've challenged myself to go further, run a double workout for example, I've had the most rewarding experiences. So how much farther can that feeling go for me, how much more might I be capable of?

[51st street bridge, Hyde Park, Chicago]

RUN 68

Being aware of your limits is just as important as a passion for pushing those limits. As a runner I thrive on the days I feel strong and capable of pushing myself further, you need to constantly assess your bodies response to what you ask of it and listen when it tells you to slow down. Having the strength to pull back and remain injury free to run strong another day is critical.

[57th Street Beach, Hyde Park, IL]

RUN 67

Success brings confidence, but you can't succeed if you don't present challenges to yourself. Fear of failure can make success and confidence unattainable, avoiding life's challenges will protect you from the chance of failure, but it also puts the chance of success and confidence out of reach. Failure can only be effective if you allow it to keep you from trying again, which is why you must always get back up and keep trying. When confidence in oneself does receive a boost, you should capitalize on it, and see what that can help you advance towards. That drive must be balanced with a satisfaction in your efforts, while being mindful to give your all. This is true for running, love, friends and family.

[John Hancock Building, Chicago]

RUN 66

I really enjoy racing, it gives you an opportunity to push your boundaries, challenging your perception of yourself, who you were, who you've become and what you're capable of. If you choose to step up to the opportunity and accept the challenge you can learn a little more about yourself and what your potential is. [Lung Run; 5K; 19:50; 06:23; 19/843 runners]

RUN 65

It's all too easy to become complacent, to fall into a rhythm, a pattern, taking comfort in your routine, there's security in doing what you know rather than challenging yourself to try harder, take a risk and see if you can advance your boundaries. The same is true of running, finding a rhythm, form or pace which is comfortable eventually looses it's challenge, when you take that risk and make the effort to advance, it makes you feel alive, and you realize how much more there is to life.

RUN 64

There are so many factors under your control when running, ever run can be modified and varied in an infinite number of ways to make it unique... location, distance, pace, variation, time, alone, with a partner, temperature and speed for example... when time is plentiful; i run longer or drive to a new location, when time is short I'll cut mileage and run faster. Speed work I've found this year does a great deal for endurance, as does confidence in my ability to adapt each run to suit each occasion.

RUN 63

My wife often tells me to go running, especially if we have work to do together, she can sense I'm anxious, thinking about when I'll run that day, it helps me... but i wonder, replace the running for something less positive, and i realize I'm describing an addict... does that matter? i suppose the word has developed negative connotations which don't apply here, i have definitely developed the need to run daily. I suppose it is partly a chemical addiction if the endorphin release theory of the runner's high is true, but even if it isn't the placebo effect remains, and i know I'll feel better after running. So yes, I'm an addict... and proud of it.

Run 62

Being away from home is really exciting as a runner, traveling and seeing new places regardless of how near or far offers plenty of opportunity to run new routes no matter which direction you turn. The same can be true where you live, but it requires a little more thought. Being out of the city too changes the run entirely, in a positive renewing way.

RUN 61

Occasionally a run begins with a strong and distinct feeling of well not wanting to run at all; for a variety if possible reasons, tiredness, laziness, nagging injury, a hangover... in the last 2 or 3 years i can only remember one occasion where i felt worse after running than i did before. That knowledge is enough to drag me out of whatever excuse might work its way into my mind. Confidence in the outcome of the situation makes the time spent much more positive, enjoyable and relaxing... applying the model to the rest of life is more difficult, but that's no reason not to try.

RUN 60

I've always agreed with the notion that 'you get what you pay for' and that you appreciate something much more the more effort is necessary to put in to achieve it. Running is the same, there are easy, very pleasurable relaxing occasions, and there are occasions in 'unfavourable' conditions or at 'unfavourable' times of day, while it remains a challenge to self motivate, the biggest motivator is the confidence that i have in the guaranteed payback on that effort; like an early morning run to work instead of taking the train, watching the sun rise over the horizon.

RUN 59

Running brings you as an individual closer to your true self, everything else peels away no matter how much you try to hold on to the thought or idea. It brings the freedom to discover your core feelings and connect with your body breathing and consciousness. The harder or longer you push the closer you get to yourself, that power is in your hands only.