#thinkingoutloud

I’ve actually been meaning to write this Thinking Out Loud post for a few weeks but haven’t had the time. Perhaps a better way to put it is I haven’t made the time. Work has been really busy, meaning lots of long days! The past two weeks it has been hard to keep up with my mileage but I have kept my running streak alive! Less than 3 weeks to go before I reach 1 year!

Back to the topic, first paragraph and I was already distracted. Looking at the title you might think this is the definitive guide to running, given the 3:16 notation, if you are looking for that I am sorry to disappoint it is not that.

A few weeks ago during one of my runs I saw someone wearing a t-shirt that had ‘Austin 3:16’ printed on it. That made me think about the Keith Urban song ‘John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16’ (did you just sing that in your head? I did every time I proof read this). That made me think about the Bible verse ‘John 3:16’.

I know that is a long path to follow but stay with with me, ‘3:16’ has become a symbol/notation for the definitive way of doing something. Of course the Christian church was first, don’t worry this isn’t a religious lecture either. 3:16 became mainstream years ago and has been attached to a lot of things (see examples above) Steve Austin used it for his character in the WWF, yes I remember wrestling when it was still the WWF, and Keith Urban has used it for a great song in my opinion, and it has been attached to so many other catch-phrases.

As I passed the guy wearing the ‘Austin 3:16’ shirt, ‘Running 3:16’ popped into my head. I asked myself is there a definitive way to run? The answer is no. Every runner has there own stride, pace, arm swing, habits, favorite gear, running route, foot strike, etc. You don’t have to look a certain way to be a runner, you do not need lots of equipment to be a runner, if you consider yourself a runner you are a runner! That is what I love about the sport of running almost everyone can do it! (If you have never ran before please consult a doctor before beginning any exercise program) That just felt like a good place to put a legal disclaimer.

Many times when I am out running I observed other runners and take notice of their clothing, stride, arm swing, and wonder how in the heck are they running like that, then I think if that works for them who am I to judge their run-style. In races I’ve seen runners who have some sort of spinal disability running hunched over and they are moving at a pretty good pace. You can be short, tall, heavy-set, skinny, able bodied, have a disability and you can still run, as long as you have the fortitude to take that first step and keep going! Our sport does not discriminate and that is another reason why I love running!

Often times when I speak with people they say, ‘I don’t know how you do it, I can’t even run a mile.’ My response is always it starts with that first step. I imagine some people think I am being cliche but I’m not; you never know where that first step and the one after will lead you. It has lead me to a great running community, that is strong, welcoming, and ready for more runners!

Winning comes in many forms for runners. You may never win a marathon, or a 5k, but every race you run or for that matter every step you take you have lapped those waiting to take that first step. Running for a large majority of the running community is an individual sport, we have personal records (PRs). We compete against ourselves, because we want to be better, we want to put our best self forward. That is Running 3:16! You can create your own guide to Running 3:16, and the best part is that it is definitively you but we all share in that experience when we run!

I am Running 3:16, you are Running 3:16, and every runner you pass or passes you is Running 3:16.

We each have our own way of getting to the finish line, we do what works best for us, we take pride in our accomplishments and our individuality while taking joy in being part of the running community and the accomplishments of those runners around us.

Tell me your Running 3:16 story!

-Veggie Fueled Runner

I call them quirks, maybe you call them something else; habits, superstitions, or ‘must dos’ before or during a run. I’m not sure if all runners have quirks or things that must be the same all the time, but I know I have some. So I thought I would share by thinking out loud and see if you share any of them or others of your own?

1. Puting my shoes in the same place after running

This is a quirk I have developed in the last month or two. I rotate between a used pair of shoes and a new pair of shoes to try and extend the life of my new ones. I write the date I ‘retired’ the used shoes on the bottom now, but I didn’t always do that. My quirk is that when I take my new shoes off, I must untie them, loosen the laces and sit them by the back door. My used shoes must be placed at the exact opposite end of the kitchen. I think I started doing this so I could remember which ones are which, before I started dating them on the bottom, then it just became something I have to do.

As you can see my shoes look the same, I buy same ones every time...another quirk? — As you can see my shoes look the same, I buy same ones every time…another quirk?

2. The way I put my socks on

This one I have been doing since I was young. One day I was watching an episode of Mr. Rodger’s and he was teaching kids how to put their shoes on. He remarked he said he always started with his left foot. Since that day I always put on my left sock and my left shoe first. When I grabbed my socks I look at them at pick out which one is going on each foot, not that they are different just another quirk.

3. The direction I run

When I run in an area or loop I am familiar with I always run the same way. I know advice from the experts is to switch it up so it doesn’t get boring but I like consistency. Just last night while doing speed work, my friend asked if we should change the direction we were running on the track, I opted for no.

4. When my shorts get tied

My shorts aren’t falling off before I tie them, no need to worry about that. I tie my shorts right before I start running, I do this to keep any extra pressure off of my stomach. I don’t tie them really tight but I like to make sure everything is snug and just the way I like it prior to and during the run.

Has nothing to do with tying shorts, but when I put 'run shorts' in the search engine this came up and I thought it was funny...enjoy! — Has nothing to do with tying shorts, but when I put ‘run shorts’ in the search engine this came up and I thought it was funny…enjoy!

5. My watch latch must be in the same hole

This is annoying even to me and I don’t always get it right. I don’t like my Garmin 220 to tight or to loose. There is one hole that allows my Garmin to rotate freely, but not all the way around my wrist. I can just give it a little twist and I can see the screen. If it is to tight I feel like I am constricted, to loose and it feels like it will fall off. I don’t always get it right and sometimes I have to make adjustments during the run. I have thought about counting the holes or marking the right one…

6. Race day attire

Prior to discovering Lululemon I ran in the same shorts for nearly 13 years. Don’t worry I washed them and I had several pairs, they were my Air Force PT shorts. When I transitioned to new running gear, some of that need to wear the same thing stayed with me. On race day, I like to wear the same gear, weather permitting, for each race during the season. No real reason behind it other than I know I’m comfortable racing in that gear and that helps to ease my mind; one less thing to worry about.

7. Diet leading up to a race

Maybe this isn’t a quirk, but I’m including it anyway it is something I do. I don’t know why I picked the time frame I did, I don’t think there is any science behind it. For a 5k race, I won’t have any alcohol a day or two before the race. For a half marathon, I won’t have any alcohol 2 weeks prior. Finally for a marathon, no alcohol for a month prior. Not that I drink a lot, but I want to make sure my body is in the best shape it can be for race day. I like to think of the body as a machine and you have to give it the proper fuel!

8. Tying my shoes

I’m thinking this one might be the most common shared by runners or I could be totally wrong. I have to make sure my laces aren’t to tight and not to loose. That’s not the quirk. The quirk is when I retie one shoe I have to retie the other to make sure the pressure is the same. Just the other day I was out on a run and within a 1/4 mile I probably retied my shoes 4 times. There was a rock in one I couldn’t get out, finally I found it in my sock. Having the lace pressure correct and even is a must.

9. Pre-race arrival time

This is another quirk that harkens back to my military days. ‘If you’re not early you’re late!’ I have to be everywhere early, I think this annoys some of my friends. It is a habit (quirk) I can’t break. Normally I am 15 minutes early to everything, come race day I like to be 30 minutes early or even more. I want to make sure I have time to get comfortable, take any last minute fluids, get rid of any last minute fluids. I’ve had the experience of being the last person to cross the start line and had to jump over the deflating arch. I was in the Bahamas for the marathon and in the porta-potty when the race started. Always being early is a must for me, if I’m not my nerves start to get jittery and that is not good before a race.

I think that is all of my quirks, hopefully you don’t think I’m crazy or have OCD, cause I don’t! Wait isn’t that something a crazy or OCD person would say…no of course not! Anyway…

What are your running quirks?

-Veggie Fueled Runner