Random thoughts on Running

1. I hate my long runs. I really do. Anything more than 15km takes an effort to finish. I especially hate it when I am running by myself. With or without music, it's the same thing. I don't mind the first 15km but after that, it felt like I'm running forever and going round and round with no destination. I feel like a mouse on a training wheel.

But then my sister invited me to go for a long run with her. I was surprised that I can go faster and can hold to it. Best of all, we conversed while running and have a brief bonding session. So, it was still at an easy pace as can talk normally but still faster than what I expected. That made me survive my long runs. If my sister's target run is shorter than mine, I will then wake up my wife who will then run with me for the remaining distance. I realize I don't really hate the long runs. I just hate running alone.

2. My marathon is coming in 1.5 months and I'm not training enough for it. I run only three times a week with one required long run at the end of the week. For the past three weeks, I just had a total of three runs and they were all short distanced! I'm not panicking yet but I know I need to build mileage and soon but too fast can make me lose the race without even starting it! I don't want that to happen as paid a lot for that race to push through (accomodations, race entry, flight, car) making it my most expensive race if you add up all these costs. But I have a huge leeway in terms of beating my first full mary. I only have to run consistently and not burn out or "hit the wall". I have advantages in terms of a flat course and cool weather but it may offset my lack of training. I really need to run more - at least add a day. I will do this starting next week and progress to five days a week to get used to running.

3. Starting this Sunday (but really last Sunday as already joined a race) I will be joining a race every weekend as part of my long run requirements. What will be hard won't be finishing the races but knowing that I still have to run more to meet my goals. The hardest of course will be the two 32km long runs I have to finish. One will be on October 4 and for that I will do the OctobeRUN race but that will just be a 16km distance race. I have to run very early before the race to avoid the sun! The next 32km will be on October 18, perfect for the Q.C. Race but caught in-between the half and full marathon. Do I do the half and run the remaining 10km or do the full and run the 32km and walk the last 10km as cooling down? And what about Per? What will she be doing the whole time? She will do the 10km but she said that I shouldn't worry about her as she can keep herself occupied. Saturday afternoon, we will be at Fort Bonifacio with a lot of cash as we will go to a lot of stores (Runnr, Mizuno, Nike, ROX) to register for all the races of October. We are back in the running world. But did we leave at all ?

4. I hate training for a marathon. When you want to lie in bed and just watch a DVD but at the back of your mind, you know you have to get up to run. It feels like cheating yourself and that is one thing you do not want to do or pay for the consequence come race day. I tell Per that this would be my last marathon as training for one drains me out. She doesn't believe me as I said that before when training for my first full mary and now here I am again, training for my second. I laugh at her comment but appreciate her support. In all honesty, I have a feeling she may be right in her observation!

5. I don't care anymore for getting a new 10km, 15km, 21km PR. My only goal is to get a new 42km PR. So I use the races to finish my long runs. Still, I get frustrated that I am slowing down when a few months ago I was speeding to the finish line. But maybe this method is better rather than speeding to the finish line and walking the last 5km that I need to complete due to depletion of energy at the race.

6. I need to buy running clothes for USA. I need long sleeves shirt and pants or I may freeze while there. Heard about compress pants and curious about it. But it just doesn't look good on me. Or I am just not used to it? The high price tag doesn't help! Decisions decisions! A skull cap would be awesome as well.

7. I misplaced my Ipod Shuffle but now, I don't need it. I prefer to be running with the silence. Listening to my thoughts than to music. Hearing my feet shuffle. Conscious about how my arms move and if they are relaxed enough. Seeing the sights around me. Seeing friends and family in races. Talking to my wife, friends or siblings while running is better than listening to music. But that's just me. Or that's just me NOW.

8. I need to do core work, cross training and strength training but now, with no time to even run. I forego all these things. Thinking of going back to the gym next year too. Still interested in reading Runner's World magazines but not excited as I was before. Am I burning out with the sport? Hmmm...

9. Even if I say I hate training for a run and seem to be burning out at times, running still helps me de-stress. It makes me relax afterwards. It clears up my mind and thoughts. It's something I can continue doing. So maybe I really am going to quit on marathon training after this and just do short runs. That way, I can still continue running whenever I want to and not be pressured by the training. I feel that the half marathon is my most comfortable pace anyway. Full is way too long and 10km is way too fast for me....

10. But I still can't escape the drawing power of a full marathon. Especially when you plan your next one. And before you know it, I have on impulse registered for my next non-refundable 42km race again and so begins again the vicious cycle....

RFB Signing Off!