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.