Runner's High

Everyone has heard of concept of runner's high. Webmd.com describes runner's high as the "experience [of] euphoria, a feeling of being invincible, a reduced state of discomfort or pain, and even a loss in sense of time while running." Sounds like a pretty great thing, and possibly the only way for me to get through my big half marathon. There are questions about what exactly causes it: endorphins, neurotransmitters or body temperature, but there is no debate that it does happen. And it makes sense to me that it happens most often to marathoners. Humans aren't supposed to be able to run 26.2 miles. The human body can only store enough energy for about 18-20 miles and this when people "hit a wall" while running. While people do try to train to prevent this from happening; I think the body responds by giving you this feeling of euphoria or the runner's high. I haven't experienced it yet, but I hope one day running will stop being a low and move on to that high. And the picture is what I think of when I think of the runner's high.

Torn

This photo represents the dichotomy I have going on in my life/mind right now. I'm so busy with work, school and family that when I have a spare minute there is no place I would rather be then relaxing on my couch. Only problem is I have a race, much like the one that is going on in the background, to run in two and half short months. I am determined to get out and run at least one time this weekend. Wish me luck!

On My Mind

As I've explained in my other posts I'm not much of a runner; I'm trying to be but I'm not there yet. Right now, running is a drag for me. I do it on occasion (on a rare occasion, which isn't good because my half marathon is getting closer everyday) but I do it. Everyone tells me that the more you run the more you like it, but I don't know if I believe them. I'm still in the mindset that it's pretty terrible and that I'd much rather be sitting on my couch watching television.

The photo that I've included with this post is representative of what goes on in my mind while I'm out running. Even though I try to use music as a distraction, my mind still wanders and tends to focus on the negative. Time is a big one for me. The time always feels like it passes so slowly, and it seems like no matter how fast I run I'm not getting anywhere. The hourglass though an accurate measurement of times kind of has that antiquated feel that makes you think time is just trickling by.

I also included a guillotine in the photo because running can feel like torture. The torture connection is twofold. I have played sports all my life and sometimes in athletics running is used as punishment. Granted it's used as punishment because it benefits your endurance, but it's hard to break the link. So, though I'm running because "I want to know" (still trying to convince myself that this is true), I still dread it. The second torture connection is the fact that I'm out running instead of just being sedentary. I really, really enjoy laying on my couch and watching tv. I have a stockpile of shows on my DVR and my couch is so soft and snuggly. Breaking my sedentary nature will be the hardest part of training for my half marathon.

And finally, the big, juicy hamburger. As I see it because I'm out burning calories, I can then eat whatever I want. It's kind of like my reward for getting up and out of the house. Not necessarily the best motivation but you got to do what you got to do.

Running Smörgåsbord

Everything one needs to know about running. I'll probably use this site as my main source of general running information. It has training programs, information on injury prevention, races, motivation, etc. There are interesting articles, videos and blogs by different runners. The injury prevention section has videos about how to prevent bunions and understanding the muscles that you don't realize you are using when running. (Our core gets more of a workout than most of us realize.) It also has lots of articles on how to take care of one's knees, which is of special interest to me because my knees are prone to injuries. This site with definitely be my go to when I have a general running question.

Image - http://www.flickr.com/photos/somewhereinak/575761059/

Slick Running Gear

Apple and Nike have teamed up to make some pretty nifty running accessories. The iPod nano can be synced up with a censor that you put into a pair of Nike+ sneakers. The censor can track your distance, tell you how many calories you burned, play songs that match up with your pace and when you really need the motivation, play your favorite pump song. Once you've finished your run, you can connect your iPod to your computer and download all your stats to iTunes and nike. These sites allow you to keep track of your runs, set goals and even challenge friends. I think it's really cool that Nike and Apple collaborated on this. I have to listen to music while I run or I won't get very far. I need that distraction, anything to keep my mind of the fact that I'm exercising. Right now, when I run, I just put my iPod on shuffle and every so often I get a song that's a big downer. This gear will prevent and play a song that matches my every step. I also like the fact that it keeps track of your distance, which is great because not all running trails have mile markers. The distance tracker will be valuable tool when training for my half-marathon because I need to make sure I'm running a certain number of miles each day. I have the iPod, now all I have to do is get the sneakers and the censor.

Image - http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/

What I Learned About Running

Running, we've all do it and I'm sure you've never thought anything about it. It just happens naturally; we crawl, we walk then we run. Wikipedia put it this way, "Running is defined as the fastest means for an animal to move on foot." Yup, pretty much sums it up. But that entry is much longer and I learned quite a bit. Running has three phases: support, drive and recovery. These phases are specific to our legs and feet. I will quickly summarize them here: the support phase is when one leg simply supports our body weight, drive is when that same leg pushes against the ground and propels us forward, and recovery is when the leg loses contact with ground and gives the leg a chance to rest before entering the support phase again. The legs continue in this cycle until you stop running. Who knew running was so complex. Something to think about the next time you hit the pavement.

Image - http://www.flickr.com/photos/polet/1082915857/

Training Schedule

I found a training schedule for my upcoming half-marathon. I was drawn to this one mainly because it's free. Lots of other sites have good training program but they charge for them, and I'm not sure I'm committed enough to this half-marathon to pay upwards of $30 for a training program. This program also seems pretty manageable. I don't know if I'll follow it to the letter, but it's a good place to start. Most of the training programs I found for beginners didn't feel like they were truly made for novices. The level of intensity of those programs made me second guess myself and rethink this whole half-marathon thing. But Hal Higdon's program feels like it was not only made for novice half-marathoners but novice exercisers as well. This is quite appealing to me because I've never been much of a gym rat. Most training programs suggest some sort of strength training that requires weight machines and a gym membership. Hal keeps it simple: push-up, sit-ups and possibly some free weights. I can do push-ups and sit-up; weight machines and a gym membership I can not. Hal's program allows me to get in shape for this half-marathon in a way that is in keeping with my level of commitment to exercise. I decided that I wanted to run this half-marathon as a catalyst for a better lifestyle. The half-marathon is not the end goal but the motivation to get off my couch and start a healthy life.

Image - http://www.flickr.com/photos/giladbenari/864956779/