Day 26, 339 To Go

January 26, 2013

Today, I'm going to talk about Pain.  But first, some shameless self promotion!

If you have been reading this blog and you are enjoying it, or if you have read it and think you'd rather have a root canal then read it again (which begs the question, why are you reading it right now you weirdo), or if you just click on the link to make it seem like you are reading it...I need your help.  Not really help, but if you could find it in your heart, please officially follow my blog. 

How do I follow you, you may ask?  Let me tell you!  If you are reading this on your phone, you have to click the link at the bottom of the post which brings you to the web version.  On the right side of the page you will see a few options. You can subscribe to the RSS feed, or you can join the Google + site or you can add your email and follow that way.  I like the email method the best because then every time a new post is loaded, you'll get an email.  If you are on your computer, you will see all of these options on the right side of your screen as well.

Ok, enough with that...now it is time for PAIN!

MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Seriously, pain is sometimes a reality with endurance sports.  Whether it is running, triathlon, biking or swimming, you are going to experience pain at some point.  Now, this is completely avoidable.  All you have to do is stop whatever it is you are doing, and the pain will go away.  That is one option.  The other option, is to push yourself beyond your limits...beyond what you think are your limits and face down the pain and finish what you started.  The human body is capable of more than you can even imagine.

Honey ran with me again today, and she is still feeling pain.  This is not due to the running, but pain is pain.  She could chose at any time to just quit, but she does not.  Why?  Why do any of us push through the pain?  We all have our reasons, and you have to find yours.  If you read my blog yesterday, you know why we are doing it.

Some people push through because they have a goal like a PR (personal record) they are trying to achieve.  Some push through because they are just trying to finish a new distance or to push past whatever they achieved before.  Some are trying to lose weight really fast and that is their motivation.  Some, well...some just like pain!!

Most of the time, when you run, pain will not be an issue, at least after you have achieved a certain level of fitness.  Of course, if you are continually striving to be faster or run farther, you will continually have to face some pain.  Now don't get scared if you are a new runner.  Its not like the pain you expect to feel when you go to the dentist. It just means that it can be hard!  You may be short of breath or you may have some tightness in your muscles or your joints may hurt.  Those of you who have run extreme distances like a marathon may have experienced some severe blisters on your feet or chafing on your thighs or wherever else your clothes touch or maybe you experienced bleeding nipples (yes, it happens!) 

Ouch!!

Again, like I said, this doesn't have to be your reality if you train right and if your goals are less ambitious.  Maybe you just want to start a healthy habit.  Maybe you just want to lose some weight.  You don't have to experience any of these.  If you are a triathlete though, you are out of luck, because if you want to improve, you are going to hurt!  And if you are a runner who wants to compete and maybe beat your friend or your wife or husband (couples who run together STAY together!!) you are going to have to train hard and training hard can hurt! 

I have now just discouraged all of my readers from ever running again.  In fact, I don't want to run anymore!  I quit!

Only kidding!

There are also a lot of non painful things you will experience when you are running hard.  One is the camaraderie you can experience with other runners.  You'll meet the most amazing people.  Another is the experience of exploring your neighborhood.  You'll be surprised at the perspective you get when you run rather than drive.  Perhaps you will discover new places that you never saw before when you were in a hurry and driving by! 

Another great thing is a runners high.  This is very hard to explain or express in words.  It is a feeling of exhilaration that you feel when you have pushed yourself beyond your limits and when you have completed something you have never done before.  For example, when I finished my marathon, I was hurting, but I was also on cloud nine!  I had done it!  I was floating on air (turbulent air, yes, but air nonetheless!)  When you cross the finish line - and actually, for the entire race - the crowds were screaming and cheering and it feels like it is all for YOU!  It is really amazing.

To set a goal and to put in the time and to complete it, even if you don't meet your time goal (which I didn't) you still feel ecstatic!  It really is an amazing feeling.

And it fucking hurt!  Holy crap!  I could barely walk after!  But that is a story for another blog...

Now, here are our numbers:

Time: 15:00

Distance: 1.14 miles

Pace: 13:08/m

Max Pace: 10:47/m

Calories: 109

Avg HR: 91

Max HR: 109

Today, I challenged Honey to do a 5k.  She ignored me, but I can tell I started something deep inside her pretty little head.  Can I do it?  Would it be too hard?  Am I up to it? 

Yes, yes & YES!

All of you are up to it if you just try, and you will get more out of it than you put in.  I have gained friends, stories, a host of medals!  I have traveled and I have met some unbelievable people!  And yes, I even met Honey because of my addiction to running and Triathlons!  I'll have to tell you guys that story on another day.  Until then...

Run for life!