A little more about me-Running

I've added a new workout tab where I'll keep up-to-date on workouts, gear, and possibly races! I'll also put links in there that have relative posts.


Running

Last year I took a long break from running. After developing a bad habit with "over-running," it was hard for me to find balance. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do "x" many miles or do it in an "x" amount of time. If I felt like I couldn't live up to my expectations, I just wouldn't run. Then, I'd find myself in a slump. I'd go days, weeks, months without running because of fear. Fear that I couldn't live up to my expectations. Then I would get depressed/anxious because I wasn't working out. It just turned into a nasty cycle and I could never find peace with just running for the fun of it, or even just to maintain good health.

Well I finally got tired of not moving. I was doing other workouts but nothing felt as good as running did. I was also missing out on the biggest benefit of me running, meditation. Running, to me, is a huge release. I do most of my thinking, praying, and venting during runs. So one day I finally just said enough is enough, I'm going running and I don't care how far I can go. I gave myself the 2x3x4 challenge. (I just made that up when I typed that). :)

For two weeks I'd run 2 miles,

For two weeks I'd run 3 miles,

then two weeks 4 miles.

This was good because I felt like 2 miles shouldn't be that hard. I didn't set a time amount or anything, so I could walk if I wanted to.

I'm so thankful for setting that goal. Giving myself a challenge and an outline gave me something to work for. I definitely did my three mile runs for longer than two weeks, but just setting the goal of running two miles for two weeks allowed for me to get comfortable with running again. I still have the mindset that two miles is really only a warm-up, but sometimes you just have to go with what ya got. :)

I still get nervous before runs sometimes.

I still occasionally won't go for a run if I don't feel like I can do at least three miles.

But I'm healthy overall.

I still run at least a couple times a week, and never let my expectations beat me down for longer than a day.

So now to get to my point: I've set a new challenge! The spring 2011 challenge/The bride-to-be challenge/the Jenny Bean Challenge.

One of my biggest dreams/desires has been to run in a half-marathon. It seems as though every year I've ever planned on running in one something happens. Knee surgery...another knee surgery....and an eating problem.

Well, this year it seems as though nothing can get in my way, except myself (which I'm going to TRY to not let happen!) Problem is...there is only 11 weeks to prepare. So I've decided, I'm going to do ONE week of training and decide after that if I think I'm capable of running the 13-ish miles! I've been running consistently but haven't really made it past my cozy three miles.

Doing a training plan would mean, no matter how I'm feeling, I have to do the run (which I like). I can't say to myself, "I don't think I can do this run today" because I have to. I think it could turn out quite fun/freeing/and fabulous.

So the training plan first week is...

Mon-strength+stretch

Tues-3 mi run

Wed-2 mi run or cross

Thur-3 mi run and strength

Fri-rest

Sat-30 min cross

Sun-4 mi run

Doesn't sound too hard does it,? It's actually very similar to what I'm already doing but it's actually written out now:)

I'm excited to complete the first week, I'll be back to update how it goes!

My Motivation for Today

Editor's Note: After nearly 14 years at Runner's World, John Bingham—perhaps better known as "the Penguin"—has decided to move on. We're grateful for all he's done for RW, and we salute him for inspiring countless runners. John personifies the idea that people can change their lives through running. We wish him the very best in his new endeavors. Below is the final "No Need For Speed" column John wrote for Runner's World.




I am not a physicist. I am a writer, runner, and recovering bass trombonist. But that doesn't stop me from thinking that I understand physics. I've read about a concept called "The Butterfly Effect." The definition goes something like this: Small variations of the initial condition of a dynamic system may produce large variations in the long-term behavior of the system. It suggests that a butterfly flapping its wings in Hong Kong can eventually affect the weather in Kansas. Cool, huh?



It got me thinking about how small variations or changes in our lives can have unexpected long-term effects. I used to be an overweight smoker who didn't exercise, but small decisions over the years—like going for that very first run—have produced large variations in my long-term behavior, helping me become the 45-time marathoner I am today.



That transformation didn't happen overnight. It didn't happen after one run, though many of us expect just that. We think that every run needs to produce some immediate benefit. Whether it's supposed to make us faster or build our endurance, the effects of today's run are supposed to take effect, well, today.



I think that's why many of us like to sprint the last quarter mile of our daily run. We like the feeling that comes from a hard effort. It feels like we're accomplishing something. (By the way, that final sprint at the end of a run is a good way to pull a hamstring. Trust me on this.)



What I didn't know then was that there is a Butterfly Effect in running. It isn't the grand gestures and epic achievements that make us runners. Sure, running for 30 minutes nonstop is great. Qualifying for Boston is great. But that's not ultimately what makes you a runner.



It's the little things we do every day adding up over time that matter. It's not just running one morning; it's getting up morning after morning and running. It's not just eating better at one meal; it's making better decisions at every meal. It's the small decisions we make almost without thinking that make us runners.



The lesson from today's run may not be important right away. Learning you're more comfortable wearing a long-sleeve shirt even when it's not that cold out may lead to the best race of your life years later. Learning that you shouldn't have eaten the Firebrand Salsa on your nachos the night before a long run may mean a marathon PR somewhere down the road.



It may be a function of aging, or it may be a function of maturing as a runner, but knowing I don't have to squeeze significance out of today's run has made running much more satisfying. Today's run might just be a run. I take it in as a point of data on an elaborate matrix. I don't try to assign a meaning to it. I have faith that somewhere, sometime, it will matter.



I run now with enormous confidence that I am doing something good for myself. I run understanding that I may never know where the winds of some running epiphany started. And I run understanding that not understanding is all right.



This will be my final new column for Runner's World. I'm not retiring, just moving on. I'd like to thank Amby Burfoot for giving me the first opportunity to write and David Willey for continuing that vision. I'd like to thank a series of wonderful editors for giving life to my words. Finally, I'd like to thank each of you for the privilege of entering your lives each month. You have given me a gift that I can never repay.



Waddle on, friends. Forever.

-A guy from runner's world-