My 2011 review

I’m throwing my hat into the “year in review” ring.

I started my year off with a recovery from a running related injury. Coming off my natural high of running a marathon. I decided my 2010 year would end with a 50km run through the Marine Headlands of San Francisco. My training was tough, so much so that 3 weeks into, I could hardly bend my knees without pain. All my muscles and tendons were tight.

The recovery was slow, but eventually I got back on my feet and running. My concentration became more on speed than distance. I had to learn to do things right before doing the extreme. My goal of 50km still awaits me.

In May, running took me through one of my greatest challenges. I and 11 other friend-runners (frienners?), with 2 vans stockpiled with food, Gatorade, and running gear, set out to cross 198 miles over a 2-day relay race. It was awesome. I can not do

No sleep, running at 1am through quiet back streets, and ending in the beautiful cliff side with panoramic Pacific views. I’m coming back for it next year!

Action shot from the relay. It was really hot then!

Continue reading →

I started running because

I have run before, but its always been uncomfortable, which didn’t make it fun, but I was determined to do it for exercise. Last year, I joined a local running training group for both social and prepare for a half marathon. It was fun being able to meet people through running at my speed. I was told many times to shut up because I liked to talk when I run.

After my first half marathon, my feet hurt for about a week, something I attributed as a badge of honor. Needless to say, the rest of me hurt too, which lead to a week or two of recovery. I started training for my next half marathon (SJ Rock n Roll).

It was on long run (11 miles) that I was having major problems with my shoes and therefore my feet. I was wearing the right socks, hydrated, and even baby powdered to keep sweating under control. At mile 10, my feet felt like they were in a perpetual sauna. I took off my shoes and with the pain of the blisters just started to walk. This is what I will say was my eureka moment, which people will speak of years from now.

I started a light jog to finish the last mile, all while barefoot. Please forgive me if this sounds exaggerated, but this was the single greatest feeling my feet had ever had from running. There was no soreness from shoes, no rubbing to create blisters, and most importantly my feet could breathe. I received many worried looks from my fellow runners as they feared my safety for the possibility of stepping on something sharp.

There was no outside influence for minimal running for me. I had no idea where to begin about doing research or starting my journey with minimal running. I proceeded to do the half marathon, as trained, in my normal running shoes. I had a faster time, but the same reoccurring problem, my feet hurt like hell afterwards.

Continue reading →

Why do I run?

Why do I run?Its hard trying to answer this question. Its not because I haven’t been able to come up with an answer, the problem being that there too many answers.

The health benefits have obviously been amazing. I’ve lost weight. I feel great. And for the first time in my life, I feel fit.

The physical has not been the only aspect that has changed for me. The greatest accomplishment of running has been my confidence, which comes in many forms than just self image.

The confidence comes from the races I’ve finished. Having a schedule of mileage you need to run and committing to is a challenge. There were days I said no, but ran anyways, and there were days I said no, and didn’t run. Each time, though, it felt great, even when it hurt.

When a race day came, I never felt unprepared. It was just another run with a couple hundred other people. Having a goal (the race) and accomplishing is always the objective — personal records be damn, finishing is all I’m thinking about.

The confidence comes from the friends I’ve made. The running group that I was part of San Francisco changed my perspective on running. It was no longer lone exercise in the pre-weight lifting regime.

Running can be social. You’ll run with people faster and slower than your current speed, but either way it will be motivation. Some will talk, listen, or politely tell you to shut up because you are talking too much.

The confidence in knowing that there is always the next goal. Getting to the finish line is awesome. Once I cross it, for thirty seconds I hurt, but after that I always think to myself, “What next?”

The next challenge whether is be farther or faster. If there’s a destination race, that promotes drinking of wine instead of water. It could be that next time you’ll spectate instead of participate, to support those friends that have always supported you.

These are just a few of the reasons of why I run.