Thoughts on the Run

Sometimes the hardest things in life can be simplified. When it comes to running, you can make it as hard or as easy as you want. There are plenty of gadgets, plans, and groups out there to make running more enjoyable. The reason why is that everyone is different. There is no “magic running book” that will make everyone go faster, longer, and enjoy it more.

The one secret to running I can tell you, is that it starts in your head.

You have to decide to do it.
You have to decide to move forward.
You have to decide to like it.

From there, it’s all science. Run more and you get stronger. Then you hit a plateau where you don’t see improvement so you shake it up. Add some cross training like riding a bike, climbing stairs, or dancing at a club. Make it different, make it fun!

Running Naked is a term used by runners that don’t use any technology during a practice run. When I first started running, I needed music. I had to have that distraction to get me through the pain and suffering I was feeling. My watch told me how well I was doing. It gave me the chance to do math in my head as I was running. Another distraction.

As I started this blog in 2007, I was able to look back and see patterns. It was becoming apparent that my focus was on the negative. There’s no way to win in that scenario. Why continue doing something that you don’t enjoy or find a positive result from?

That’s when I started running naked. No music. No watch. Wow did I notice a difference. Running outside without headphones stuck in my ears allowed me to see new buildings, take alternate routes, and notice wildlife. If my mind started to get run down, then I would count cars. If that wasn’t enough, I would count how many male and female drivers were out at 5am in my town. (definitely more male drivers at 5am)

I do run with music sometimes, but only when I feel that negativity creeping in. My phone doubles as my stopwatch, but I make it a practice to not look at it. I don’t want to know what my exact pace is as my goal is time on feet. With ultras, you need to get your body ready for longterm pounding in order to survive.

So make it fun, focus on the positive, and just run naked.