I've learned two truths in the five years I've been pounding out mileage. The first is this: everyone's running journey is different. What works for me may not work for someone else, and I think it's very important to keep this in mind when giving/receiving/following advice. For example, I wear Vibram FiveFingers, some of the most minimalist running shoes available (read my blog entry about Running Minimalist for the story behind that part of my journey). Do these shoes work for me? Yes, they sure do. In fact, I like to call them miracle workers. But will they perform miracles for someone else? Maybe not. The reason there are so many different brands and styles of running shoes is to accommodate the many different body types and running styles of runners.
When I do training runs, I have a distance goal in mind. Other people will set time goals instead. There are training plans out there that accommodate both styles. Some runners choose to run without gadgets like GPS watches, iPods, phones or heart rate monitors while others thrive on the information/distraction/motivation that these things can provide. Some people like me run every day while others utilize rest days.
Is one approach better than the other? I don't think so. As long as people are out there running, it shouldn't really matter how they choose to do it: in minimalist shoes or the cushiest shoes available, with tech or without it, mileage goals or timed goals, rest days or no rest days.
I like to remind people who feel the need to school me on the choices I've made that they are unfamiliar with my running journey. They don't know my body like I do, and therefore they don't have the knowledge to decide what's best for it. I had someone tell me just this week that running every day is very bad for my body. Well, maybe for hers it is, but for mine? I'm going to have to disagree. As long as I make smart choices, my body can handle the demands of everyday running.
Which brings me to my second truth that I call The Golden Rule of Running: it's important to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
It's a fairly simple truth, and every runner can benefit from it but alas, it's not as easy as it seems, especially for new runners. Many haven't learned how to interpret what their bodies are saying. Let's say one is experiencing pain. The initial reaction might be Oh my God, I have a pain in my hip/knee/shin/foot! WebMD suggests it might be a labral tear/runner's knee/shin splints/plantar fasciitis! My running journey is over! when it could be the body's way of saying that it's time for a new shoes since this pair has logged over 400 miles. Sometimes the only way a runner can discern the difference between the two scenarios is through experience and trial and error. If a new pair of shoes does the trick, then the runner knows that for the next time (s)he experiences a similar issue. If it doesn't, then it's back to the drawing board.
I've become very good at listening to my body's needs. The fact that I can do what I do relatively injury-free is a testament to how well I've learned to follow The Golden Rule. But the language my body speaks may be very different from that of another runner's body. It takes time to learn how to interpret.
And patience. Oh, yes. Plenty of patience.
Thanks for reading, friends. :)
Is one approach better than the other? I don't think so. As long as people are out there running, it shouldn't really matter how they choose to do it: in minimalist shoes or the cushiest shoes available, with tech or without it, mileage goals or timed goals, rest days or no rest days.
I like to remind people who feel the need to school me on the choices I've made that they are unfamiliar with my running journey. They don't know my body like I do, and therefore they don't have the knowledge to decide what's best for it. I had someone tell me just this week that running every day is very bad for my body. Well, maybe for hers it is, but for mine? I'm going to have to disagree. As long as I make smart choices, my body can handle the demands of everyday running.
Which brings me to my second truth that I call The Golden Rule of Running: it's important to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
It's a fairly simple truth, and every runner can benefit from it but alas, it's not as easy as it seems, especially for new runners. Many haven't learned how to interpret what their bodies are saying. Let's say one is experiencing pain. The initial reaction might be Oh my God, I have a pain in my hip/knee/shin/foot! WebMD suggests it might be a labral tear/runner's knee/shin splints/plantar fasciitis! My running journey is over! when it could be the body's way of saying that it's time for a new shoes since this pair has logged over 400 miles. Sometimes the only way a runner can discern the difference between the two scenarios is through experience and trial and error. If a new pair of shoes does the trick, then the runner knows that for the next time (s)he experiences a similar issue. If it doesn't, then it's back to the drawing board.
I've become very good at listening to my body's needs. The fact that I can do what I do relatively injury-free is a testament to how well I've learned to follow The Golden Rule. But the language my body speaks may be very different from that of another runner's body. It takes time to learn how to interpret.
And patience. Oh, yes. Plenty of patience.
Thanks for reading, friends. :)
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