Becoming a Runner for the Long Haul

Many people think that all you have to do to be a runner is run, and that is true, but there is more involved if you want to do it consistently, for a long time, and realize the many benefits that running can offer.

I first started running in college when my metabolism suddenly wasn’t burning the many late-night calories I was burning. As I ran around our beautiful campus, I realized that running brought me a sense of peace. It offered me quiet time to think and be creative. As I continued to run throughout my life it became my therapy, my safe place, and I know it saved me both mentally and physically. I became a running coach during my teaching career, and I loved watching how running helped the teenagers both as an activity and the community it involved.

I have always loved racing. I enjoy the competition both with myself and others. A race gives you a chance to see your improvements through your times, and other runners can push you to do better. Racing is also a social event. I always leave with new connections. When I am at the races I have a chance to hear people’s stories and so many tell me that the road to being a runner has not been easy, so for those of you who have always wanted to run but are not sure how to start, I’d love to share what I have learned during my relationship with running.

My first piece of advice is to ask yourself what you are hoping to gain from a running routine. It always helps your motivation if you know what your why is. Here are a few reasons for running I have heard, and of course yours might be completely different.

To lose weight                           to be more confident                        to learn about my body

To prove I am stronger than my challenges                   To push my limits

To meet new people                to be healthier                   to spend time with family

To set some goals                    to relieve stress                  to have quiet time

To release some emotions

Add your why to the list If you don’t see it, and on those days when you want to stay home remember why you shouldn’t.

Next, I would tell you to prepare both mentally and physically. Check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough, go to your local running store and have them test you for what type of shoe is best for you, and find some comfortable clothes to run in. Prepare yourself mentally by practicing positive self-talk. Have a growth mentality and be ready to improve gradually. You will have good days and bad days, just do your best.

Running is personal and there are many times when you can do it your way. You can break some rules, but there are a few universal ones that you should stick to at least at first.

Don’t do too much too fast. Adding 10% of distance at a time is a standard benchmark.

Don’t start too fast. Learn to find a pace that allows you to cover a distance.

Stay hydrated.

When you start doing longer runs, eat something every hour.

Use electrolytes. I can tell a few ugly stories that will prove how important this is.

When you first start running, relax your shoulders, focus on your breathing, and hold your hands loosely by your side.

I hope this will be enough to help get you started as a runner.

What Running Has Taught Me

Running has been a life-changer and a lifesaver for me. I played three sports every year from fifth grade-twelfth and I ran for conditioning, but if you ever told me that I would run long distances for fun I would have thought you were crazy.

In college, my metabolism was not keeping up with my late-night snacking, so a few friends and I started running around campus after dinner. It was so much fun talking with friends, laughing as the miles went by and finding an easy way to fight stress and weight gain.

I decided I wanted to be a teacher and my first year was rough. On top of the stress of being a new teacher, I was also planning a wedding for the fall. My mental health was in turmoil, so I used an old remedy and started heading out for a run. When I ran, I had the blissful peace of being by myself. No one was calling my name over and over. There were no problems to solve. I could let my mind go blank or use the time to make plans.

Through the years, running has saved me mentally and physically, but it has also taught me many life lessons. Here are a few I would like to share with you.

What you think you could never do is possible. You just need the courage to do it. I have always enjoyed competing in races. I had done all the distances except for an ultra-marathon which is anything beyond the marathon distance of 26.2. A friend asked me if I would consider doing an ultra and I laughed and said that I thought running more than 26. 2 was crazy. I discovered I should never say never when another friend told me about an ultra her husband did. She said the atmosphere was very chill and I could stop whenever I wanted. I ran it and fell in love with the ultra-distance. I learned that to grow I needed to step outside my comfort zone.

Don’t compare yourself to others. This lesson took a while for me to learn because I always wanted to be as fast as someone else, or as fit as another person, but everyone has strengths and weaknesses. You will be happier with more success if you focus on your improvements instead of trying to run or train like someone else. I now repeat the power phrase, “Run your own race.” When I am in a race to remind myself that there are many ways to run, and I need to do the one that fits my style.

Recently, I was at a race, and I complained to a friend that I wished I was faster. She told me that most people will never run a race at all, so be happy that you have experienced what many people never will

Don’t judge a runner by the exterior. A lot of running depends on how much grit and heart someone has. Runners come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, and you never know which ones are going to crush the race. We go to a race every year where you complete as many one-mile loops as you can in 48 hours. Every year, one of the ladies reads a book while she walks. I heard two young men making fun of her, and I hope they checked the results after the race because she covered 102 miles! Everyone has different ways to arrive at the goal.

Running is therapy. If you doubt this, go to any race and talk to the people around you. Most runners have a story and most of them are inspiring. At a recent ultra we were in hour 10 and I asked a young man how he was doing. He replied, “I am so glad to be here.” I thought to myself, “Oh, he has a story.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep up with him to hear it.

Runners use running to prove they are stronger than a challenge they face, or as an outlet to beat the challenge. It is a positive way to fight the mental roadblocks.

Rest is maintenance not laziness. I used to think I needed to train every day until I realized that my days off made me stronger. Rest should be a part of every program, and our daily life.

You are stronger than you think. Running has taught me how resilient the body can be. My ultra coach told me, “Jen, when you hit a wall, don’t give up. Sit down and let your body recover. You will come back stronger.” It is amazing to see what you can do. Running allows you to keep pushing further.

Running teaches you about balance. Your best runs are when your mind and body are working together. If your mind believes you can achieve something, the body will follow. Running is a way for me to use my body to reset my mental health.

Runners are outstanding people. Creating community is one of the keys to living longer, and the running community is accepting and encouraging. Your social life will improve with running.

If you run, you are a real runner. I have heard that expression many times. What is a real runner? Everyone has a different concept of the answer to that question, so don’t worry about it. If you run, you are a runner.

Running helps you to know your body better. You learn so much about how your body works when you run. You will learn about how fast you can go, when you need to hydrate, what foods work best for you, and many other things.

Running has taught me not to only focus on one thing. I should diversify my approach to everything including running. For years, I only wanted to run. I ignored all the wisdom about stretching, strength training and cross training, I had limited time to work out, so I wanted to spend it running. That method worked great until my fifties when the injuries started happening. I now do all the other parts of a balanced exercise program instead of focusing on one thing.

Well, those are a few things I have learned while out running. What lessons has running taught you?

Important Lessons Running Can Teach You

I started running in college for weight maintenance. I had no idea what a major part it would play in my life. It has saved me in many ways and taught me valuable life lessons. Here are a few that I am grateful to running for teaching me.

What you think you could never do is possible. You just need the courage to do it. I have always enjoyed competing in races. I had done all the distances except for an ultra-marathon which is anything beyond the marathon distance of 26.2. A friend asked me if I would consider doing an ultra and I laughed and said that I thought running more than 26. 2 was crazy. I discovered I should never say never when another friend told me about an ultra her husband did. She said the atmosphere was very chill and I could stop whenever I wanted. I ran it and fell in love with the ultra-distance. I learned that to grow I needed to step outside my comfort zone.

Don’t compare yourself to others. This lesson took awhile for me to learn because I always wanted to be as fast as someone else, or as fit as another person, but everyone has strengths and weaknesses. You will be happier with more success if you focus on your improvements instead of trying to run or train like someone else. I now repeat the power phrase, “Run your own race.” When I am in a race to remind myself that there are many ways to run, and I need to do the one that fits my style.

Don’t judge a runner by the exterior. A lot of running depends on how much grit and heart someone has. Runners come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, and you never know which ones are going to crush the race. We go to a race every year where you complete as many one-mile loops as you can in 48 hours. Every year, one of the ladies reads a book while she walks. I heard two young men making fun of her, and I hope they checked the results after the race because she covered 102 miles! Every one has different ways to arrive at the goal.

Running is therapy. If you doubt this, go to any race and talk to the people around you. Most runners have a story and most of them are inspiring. At a recent ultra we were in hour 10 and I asked a young man how he was doing. He replied, “I am so glad to be here.” I thought to myself, “Oh, he has a story.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep up with him to hear it.

Runners use running to prove they are stronger than a challenge they face, or as an outlet to beat the challenge. It is a positive way to fight the mental roadblocks.

Rest is maintenance not laziness. I used to think I needed to train every day until I realized that my days off made me stronger. Rest should be a part of every program.

You are stronger than you think. Running has taught me how resilient the body can be. My ultra coach told me, “Jen, when you hit a wall, don’t give up. Sit down and let your body recover. You will come back stronger. It is amazing to see what you can do. Running allows you to keep pushing further.

Running teaches you about balance. Your best runs are when your mind and body are working together. If your mind believes you can achieve something, the body will follow. Running is a way for me to use my body to reset my mental health.

Runners are outstanding people. Creating community is one of the keys to living longer, and the running community is accepting and encouraging. Your social life will improve with running.

If you run, you are a real runner. I have heard that expression many times. What is a real runner? Everyone has a different concept of the answer to that question, so don’t worry about it. If you run, you are a runner.

Running helps you to know your body better. You learn so much about how your body works when you run. You will learn about how fast you can go, when you need to hydrate, what foods work best for you, and many other things.

Well, those are a few things I have learned while out running. What lessons has running taught you?

The 3 Steps to Distance Running

When you hear conversations about distance running, most people talk about training. Preparation for a longer race is an important element, but it is only one piece in the puzzle of how to perform well in distance running. There are three steps that every runner should consider to be a good distance runner. The steps are preparation, performance, and recovery. All three are equally important. Here are the basics for each step.

Preparation. I remember when I was younger, saying I only wanted to run. I didn’t want to do the stretching, strength training, and cross-training that are often recommended. I changed my mind after an injury that demanded I go to physical therapy for four weeks. The trainer emphasized to me the importance of stretching for flexibility, strength training to build all my muscles, and cross-training to work in different muscle groups. I also needed a rest day instead of running hard every day. She convinced me that I needed a varied program to protect my body, and she was right.

The great thing about preparation is that you can make it unique to you if you incorporate the different elements. You can choose the cross-training you enjoy the most. I need to strengthen my knees, so I do the stair climbing machine. You can climb any set of stairs without going to the gym. I do a strength training routine using weights, but there are many exercises you can do at home using your own body weight, like pushups and planks.

Consistency is a key element in preparation. I had been training for an ultra when a family member became ill in another state. I couldn’t train for a week, and I questioned whether I should do the race. My husband said that I would be fine because I had done consistent preparation.  

There is also preparation for race day. If you are doing a distance run, you should practice using what you will use on race day. What electrolytes or gels work best for you? There are several that are too harsh on my stomach, so I have had to experiment to find a good one. Experiment with clothing to see what you are most comfortable wearing. What shoes will you wear? What will you do to prepare your feet? I always slather mine with Vaseline before putting on my shoes. It prevents some of the wear and tear. What hydration will you need? These are all questions to ask before race day.

Performance. Race day arrives. Are you ready? You might be sure you have prepared yourself physically, but on race day, you will also be tested mentally. Those doubts tend to creep into your brain when you are standing at the starting line. Questions like, what if I hurt myself, or what if everything goes wrong, are thoughts that swirl through your mind before the race starts. This is when all your preparation will help you. You have practiced different scenarios, and you are ready.

As your race progresses, your success will hinge on how well you can pivot if you need to change your strategy. Even though you are following your plan, something might happen that requires you to be flexible with your approach. I was running a race where everything was going well when suddenly I started feeling sick. Luckily, I was carrying some ginger candies, and eating a few of those saved me.

Run your own race. Don’t compare yourself to other runners, but watch and learn what other runners do to be successful.

Rest. This is the step that runners are terrible at doing. There is always another race to prepare for, and runners often forget how valuable rest days are. Your body needs time to recover from long runs. If I do anything above 26 miles, I take the next day off, and then I do light running or walking for a few days after, or I cross-train. If you give your body a rest, you can come back stronger.

The ultra-marathon advice that saved me

I learned how to navigate the ultra-marathon world by making every possible mistake but learning from each one. Finally, I decided to add the expertise of an ultra-expert to the lessons I have learned, so I asked my friend to share everything he knows about ultras. The result was three pages of notes, and the feeling that I was finally prepared to take on this beast, which is unlike any other race. Here are a few pieces of advice that have saved me more than once.

You can do almost anything one more time. Instead of looking at the total mileage ahead, take it one mile at a time. I mostly do loop ultras, so I tell myself to do one more loop, and then I can see how I feel; then I continue to do that.

You have to know how to fuel the machine. Experiment with various foods and drinks to determine what works best for you. I cannot drink the typical electrolytes offered at races because they are too strong for my stomach, so I had to find something gentler. I alternate between drinking that and water. I eat half of a peanut butter sandwich before the race starts, and I eat something every hour to continue replacing the calories I am burning. When I reach higher mileage, I often feel slightly nauseous. When that happens, I eat 5 ginger cookies, and that calms my stomach. My two worst experiences were related to my stomach. The first incident occurred because I didn’t take in any electrolytes, and the second was due to my stopping eating. Neither was a good decision.

Use mental techniques to keep going. When you hit the wall and the negative voices start to overtake your mind, have some ways to get motivated again. It could be as simple as telling yourself, ‘If you can do one more lap, you can take a break and eat a bag of Fritos.’ Another idea is to make yourself run to a certain point and keep changing the spot.

Taking short rest breaks can help you become stronger. When I first started running ultras, I wanted to attack it. I didn’t want to stop to rest because I wanted to get the best mileage I could. I felt that resting would be wasted energy. I didn’t realize how much rest could improve my performance.

Run your own race. Don’t compare yourself to other runners. Focus on doing your best, and do what works for you.

Realize that an ultra is a different race. Very few of the rules that work for shorter races will work for an ultra. Be a good observer as you watch what the veteran runners do and listen well as you ask questions of the other runners.

Pickle juice is your friend. I was skeptical when a friend told me pickle juice could keep me from being too sore, but it actually works! I take small sips throughout the race, or I eat the actual pickles.

Be ready for anything. Most ultra runners look like they have enough gear to camp for a week, but it’s because they know they have to be ready for anything. If the race is on trail, I’m bound to fall, so a good med kit is necessary for me. I have been at races where it was pouring one minute and then scorching hot the next.

I hope this advice helps you at your next race!