By far, running is my best event. Now, let's get some things ordered straight away. First, I'm not a good runner, fast runner or finesse runner. I'm not built for any of those things, nor have the time to polish such skills. I am an endurance runner, not a sprint runner.
So in the Olympics, middle distance and distance events completely enthrall me. I love watching them pound out the miles, step after step, mile after mile. I love watching the East Africans who pretty much sweep the medals and I especially enjoyed, this year, watching Galen Rupp (little white boy from Oregon) be 13th overall. He ran a little over 6 miles in under 28 minutes and he was 13th! Absolutely amazing.
Running is one of my favorite events for a number of reasons.
1) You don't need a lot of fancy, schmancy equipment.
2) You can be alone with your thoughts--barring any walkman (old fashioned word) equipment.
3) It's fairly easy to figure out and unless you are trying to train for one of the above categories mentioned in my first paragraph--just about any poor soul can do it.
4) It's fairly inexpensive--just a pair of good running shoes and some nice comfy socks to go with them.
5) It's a great cardio workout and works your metabolism like nobody's business.
6) Patti, our wonderdog, gets her much needed exercise.
7) If you're looking to lose weight, you won't be able to find an event that will get you there faster.
But here's the praise-worthy reasons that I've really enjoyed participating in a regular running regiment.
1) There's not another event that I can think of that allows you more time to take in and breathe the beauty of creation like running. (Romans 1:20)
2) I have uninterrupted chew time with my thoughts, prayers and meditations. (Psalm 119:2)
3) I have the opportunity to see people on a regular basis and have, on occasion, been able to chat. (Matthew 28:19)
4) It's helped me to be physically stronger to serve my family and church better. (Proverbs 31:17)
5) It's help me practice breathing control to enable my pitiful voice to sing better in choir. (Ephesians 5:19)
A couple of notes before you take up running.
1) Make sure you have some good (and yes, expensive) shoes. A good majority of chronic injuries are caused by poor quality running shoes.
2) Start out by not running too fast. You'll peter out and become fairly discouraged.
3) Work towards a goal. Running requires a fairly disciplined attitude toward it. So have a goal to work towards. The best goals are the little 5K runs that happen in many towns all over this great country of ours. You can also get an official time.
4) Which brings me to--try and increase your goals weekly. For instance, start out with 1.5 miles and by end of the month--increasing to 2.5-3 miles. Watch your time too. While you don't want to start out too fast--concentrate on a goal of increasing your time each week. Increasing time and distance will keep you working toward a goal.
5) Make sure you drive your route and not try and guess. You may be surprised at what you thought was 2 miles...really ends up being only 1.5 miles and you've gypped yourself that extra half mile for weeks. It can kind of be discouraging. Also, an accurate mile count will help you in the long run for all of those 5K runs you'll be entering--none of them on Sunday, of course. :)
6) Implement a Buddy Run into your regiment mix. If you have someone to be held accountable to, then it will be much more likely that you'll reach your goal. Preferably choose someone that won't let you off the hook.
7) Run for the glory of God. What does that mean? Don't run just to lose weight, feel healthy or look slimmer. Too shallow a reason. Run so that your body and heart are stronger to be able to serve your family and local church tirelessly. Run so that you can have an internet-free time slot of breathing and appreciating God's wondrous and marvelous creation that screams of a high and lofty God.
Running, for me, is like a longtime friend. Even if I have been away for a while, I can pick up right where I left off and keep on going.
Run Galen run.
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2 comments:
OK, I am ready to answer your silly question of the week :-) I would pick you, Kim, because people would be so distracted by the huge size difference, they wouldn't notice that we can't dive! Perfect, eh?
I love you Nancy. Not only are you equally as silly with your answers, but you have obviously honed your comical exacggeration skills as well. Thanks for sharing, caring and most of all...being you! Hugs Nancy in Socal...you are missed and loved more than you know. :)
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