The 53 Runner's Commandments, Part 03.

So I had to map another 5K route since moving back to the Seattle area. My sister's neighborhood has some large gentle hills so that gets a thumbs up from me; I'm starting to train again for some upcoming runs. I'm expecting to have to adapt a little bit to the climate; the last time I seriously trained, there was a 20+ degree difference in outdoor temperature and was much more humid.

Also, I'm gonna need new running shoes soon -- I'm wearing through the interior side lining of my current pair! The Nike+ system is tempting.

LunarEclipse+

Here's part three of my thoughts on Joe Kelly's 53 Runner's Commandments [read Parts 01 and 02].

• Look at hills as opportunities to pass people. Haha. This is a good take on hills; I've always approached them with a feeling of dread. But hey it's worked out so far, at least when it came to climbing the hills during my last race.
  
  
• Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better. Speaking from experience, I've had headaches magically disappear during runs.
  
  
• Never throw away the instructions to your running watch. I got mine from someone else so I'm probably missing out on half of the functions I could be using.
  
  
• Don’t try to outrun dogs. Luckily I haven't had to try yet. Chalk it up to responsible neighbors.
  
  
• Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.
  
  
• Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often. I just moved back to the Northwest; I know what I'm up against. Rain gear is in the closet ready to go.
  
  
• When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
  
  
• Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
  
  
• Without goals, training has no purpose. 25:30 5K. I CAN DO IT.
  
  
• During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
  
  
• The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies. Not quite up to this point yet, but definitely in the future.
  
  
• Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken. My lungs testify to the truth of this one.
  
  
• Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch. Or in my case, surfing the Web.

The 53 Runner's Commandments, Part 02.

I haven't laced up my cross-trainers in four days and I'm waaay overdue for some punishment, so I quickly created a new course near the house using Map My Run:

Hays 5K route

After some tweaking, the route is almost exactly 5K so I'm good to go. Only thing is, it can get extremely windy here in Hays and the headwinds are no joke. (Neither is the dust blowing in my face, but there's nothing I can do about that.) I figure the extra resistance will make up for the relative flatness of the terrain though.

Anyway here's the second installment of my thoughts on Joe Kelly's 53 Runner's Commandments [read Part 01].

1. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work. Or in my case, getting some exercise beats being mostly sedentary for 8+ hours a day.
   
   
2. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach. Hmmm, I dunno about this. It's kinda venturing into douchebag territory.
   
   
3. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe. Unless they can commiserate. Then we can compare battle wounds.
   
   
4. Don’t always run alone.
   
   
5. Don’t always run with people.
   
   
6. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it. Because it does.
   
   
7. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
   
   
8. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing. I hope this includes being able to leap over, confidently pass and dodge around fellow racers.
   
   
9. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast. I can't really say I run "fast" yet. I'm still working on shaving down my 5K time to at least an 8.5-minute mile. So I can certainly respect those like me who enter races simply to run them, and not necessarily to compete. Although that might be in the future for me.
   
   
10. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
    
    
11. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running. I can attest to this. I went out on a very hot day last month (90+ degrees F) and didn't think I'd last too long. Surprisingly I ended up with a faster-than-usual time for some reason. I dunno, I must have been extra mindful of my breathing that day due to the heat, but it ended up being very beneficial to my run. I was happy.
    
    
12. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag. Haha -- no reason to brag just yet.
    
    
13. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow. This would be good if I actually had a running buddy.
    
    
14. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
    
    
15. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run. Let's hope I'm not one of them.

The 53 Runner's Commandments, Part 01.

Joe Kelly of the Pine Belt Pacers, a running club in Mississippi, created a list for runners. They're a pretty good set of rules and general tips, some geared for group or competitive running. Here are the first fifteen "commandments" with some personal thoughts.

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners. Easily applied to all other aspects of life wouldn't you say?
   
   
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run. I know that on some days it's harder to plan for a run given errands or some other time constraints. The commitment to running has been the most difficult part of the whole fitness routine to me. For the most part, I've stuck to it.
   
   
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
   
   
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
   
   
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself. I've committed to running about 20K weekly. Sometimes the weather has prevented me from going out, but hopefully I'll be forgiven for not wanting to get struck by lightning while jogging around the block. *insert generic Midwestern weather complaint here*
   
   
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing. I'm not currently part of a group so this doesn't really apply, but it does help my own schedule greatly when I stick to a scheduled time for running. I block out about an hour for my 5K, This includes warm-up/cool-down, the run, and showering afterward. Staying on schedule is key for me.
   
   
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
   
   
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride. I have no idea where any payphones are in my area! So far a housekey has been sufficient.
   
   
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners. Right now I'm concentrating on bettering my own times, so I don't have anyone to compare against. I do know that I'd like to get my 5K down in the 24-minute range though.
   
   
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
    
    
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run. Especially now that autumn is around the corner. It's steadily been getting darker sooner. I don't have a problem with running in the evening, but it's definitely harder to go outside once the sun goes down.
    
    
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back. Recently I've been running my regular route in reverse. It's like a whole new course; the hills are killing me! But killing me in a good way.
    
    
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner. I actually don't wish it were easier. I like the challenge.
    
    
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
    
    
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape. See #13.