Thoughts on the Run

Here’s a question I was asked more than 10 times this past week:
What do you mean you didn’t run the Denver Rock n’ Roll Marathon?

There are 3 reasons why I didn’t run:

1) I have run this event since 2007 when it was the Denver Marathon and became my first half marathon. I know the course, it’s fine, and

2) Running with 14,000 people doesn’t really get me excited anymore. It is part of the reason I have moved to more ultramarathons as those don’t have more than 1,000 people. Not just because that’s the average number of crazy people, but due to the fact we don’t want to damage the trails.

3) Running hiatus. Over the past month I haven’t run more than 1-2 hours a week. For the most part, this has been self inflicted. I hobbled ran a 50k, finished up a week at a job, and started a new job. Weekends were inundated with family activities, normal routines, and

I wanted to find a photo of me resting to use in this post, but apparently I don’t have one. I don’t rest much.

This could be a variety of factors of not being able to mentally rest. I have a difficult time holding a conversation. While it may look normal on the outside, internally my brain is on overload. There is so much questioning and analyzing going on in my head, that I have to resist the urge to interrupt. Growing up in New England, interrupting isn’t viewed as rude … it’s a skill to keep the conversation moving forward. Think about it, halfway through a sentence you probably know what someone is going to say so why not start your sentence? When I first moved out to Colorado, I found that people interpreted this technique as rude. It has taken a lot of practice and energy to slow down in many settings. I find myself getting irritated quickly when I have to repeat myself because people are not keeping up with the conversation pace.

To help with this internal energy I run. When I don’t run, people start to notice by my change in behavior.

Runner’s World recently posted an article that caught my attention:
10 Signs That You Need a Rest Day

I am pretty hard on myself when it comes to not running. Mostly because excuses are one of the few things that irritate the hell out of me. Over the past few years, I have done a really good job at separating myself from whiny excuses. One could say it is why I have changed jobs and done more consulting. The consulting aspect allows me to jump in and make an impact quickly for an organization. New job gets me an environment that wants and accepts change. They don’t just say it, they set aside time for it. My mantra in my professional world:

If I’m not causing someone to think differently, then I’m not doing my job correctly.

But back to running … or lack thereof.

My body needed a rest. Knees shouldn’t swell to three times the size of the norm. I’m not a doctor, but I have some logic. The weather has been colder, time has been slim, and needed some time to rethink the plan.

Happy to say plan has been rethunk and getting back into the running groove. Rather than just jump back into it, will start out 20-30 miles a week and add some strength training. Have a big goal for 2014 and starting it now.