The hardest part of running is putting on your shoes and getting out the door. Unless it's pouring rain (and I'm talking torrential downpour) and then the hardest part is just finding your shoes and finding the willpower to say no to the warm cozy blanket on the couch and the bottle of wine. Yes, you guessed it, I was rained out again at 6:30 yesterday so I did what I never thought I would: I actually said screw it to the rain and went out for a run.
This brings us to today's topic: willpower or as the Finns say 'SISU'. Sisu means perseverance in the worst conditions, the willpower to survive. Without digressing into Finnish history too much, it comes from the sheer determination of Finns to hack out a life in a country that is dark and snowy and cold 8 months of the year, is bordered on one side by the scary nation of Russia and on the other by the Swedes who are their eternal enemies.
Finns are also the best endurance skiiers in the world (I don't care HOW many Norwegians have won gold, Finns are still the best!!) and you need a tonne of sisu to be able to move that fast on two small sticks for that long.
How does this all relate to me? If any other sport relates to the word sisu, I would have to say that long distance running fits the bill. Yesterday's run was cold, wet and miserable, but instead of turning around after 10 minutes when I was drenched to the skin, I remembered that I too am Finn and have this magical sisu. Suddenly I found myself feeling a bit stronger and a bit more smug. Looking at people sitting in their cars and in restaurants, the thought floated through my head that they may be warm and dry, but I am awesome because I'm enduring the rain and physical pain and am on my way to becoming a better person because of it.
It's really easy to say I'm going to run a half-marathon, but at the end of the day good intentions do little to help. It takes willpower and determination to put in the miles you need to cross the finish line you want. I guess we can all apply that to life as well, don't you think?
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Why does it always rain at 6:30?
This is one of the reasons I stopped exercising outside. You may think this is absolutely ridonkulous, but seriously, a treadmill is inside and you have TV.
For the past two days, I've tied my laces and headed out the door for some running fun, and both days, at exactly 6:30, the skies have opened and I have been completely drenched to the skin. Both days the rain held out while I was sheltered by the large dome of the defunct Planeterium where I whittle away the hours of the work day, but just like I could have predicted, as soon as I needed to get out and stretch my legs Murphy's law took effect.
There is nothing fun about getting hit by a serious downpour, miles (okay, kilometres) from home and realizing that you have just left your freshly painted and lovingly restored antique dresser sitting on your balcony. It's like Nitrous for your legs. Panic sets in and I found myself suddenly sprinting for two kilometres, partially uphill, desparate to save it.
The good news is that this was the start of week two. My mileage was supposed to increase and it did, but speedwork was really not supposed to be any part of my beginner training just yet. The unfortunate part is that because I was so anxious about the dresser on the balcony, I didn't think to time myself. It's a shame, because I think I might have actually been faster than Paula Radcliffe for a brief minute or two!!!
For the past two days, I've tied my laces and headed out the door for some running fun, and both days, at exactly 6:30, the skies have opened and I have been completely drenched to the skin. Both days the rain held out while I was sheltered by the large dome of the defunct Planeterium where I whittle away the hours of the work day, but just like I could have predicted, as soon as I needed to get out and stretch my legs Murphy's law took effect.
There is nothing fun about getting hit by a serious downpour, miles (okay, kilometres) from home and realizing that you have just left your freshly painted and lovingly restored antique dresser sitting on your balcony. It's like Nitrous for your legs. Panic sets in and I found myself suddenly sprinting for two kilometres, partially uphill, desparate to save it.
The good news is that this was the start of week two. My mileage was supposed to increase and it did, but speedwork was really not supposed to be any part of my beginner training just yet. The unfortunate part is that because I was so anxious about the dresser on the balcony, I didn't think to time myself. It's a shame, because I think I might have actually been faster than Paula Radcliffe for a brief minute or two!!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
What to do while running...other than running...
I am bored very easily and running sometimes gets boring. Okay, let's face it. I'm only actually running for 23 minutes this week, but at my level of elite fitness (translation: I run very slowly) I still need stimulation. However, for those in need of distraction and have grown tired of all their music downloads, I suggest finding some podcasts to get interested in.
Podcasts are the best thing since sliced bread. Constantly changing topics keep things interesting and fresh, and although they don't possess the upbeat rhythms of, say, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch to get you going, they keep your mind off of the actual running process more than music does.
Just to torture myself further, I've decided to listen to food and wine related podcasts while running. During this past initiation week, I downloaded two notable podcasts that were great: The Restaurant Guys and On The Menu with Ann Haigh. Things I've learned that I didn't know before: Texans actually make good wine and culinary schools are a waste of time for emerging chefs. Next week's pick: A guy, a girl and a bottle of wine.
Podcasts are the best thing since sliced bread. Constantly changing topics keep things interesting and fresh, and although they don't possess the upbeat rhythms of, say, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch to get you going, they keep your mind off of the actual running process more than music does.
Just to torture myself further, I've decided to listen to food and wine related podcasts while running. During this past initiation week, I downloaded two notable podcasts that were great: The Restaurant Guys and On The Menu with Ann Haigh. Things I've learned that I didn't know before: Texans actually make good wine and culinary schools are a waste of time for emerging chefs. Next week's pick: A guy, a girl and a bottle of wine.
Pain - Part 1
From Monday, May 7:
It is so surprising how much pain we, as in humankind, as in runners, deliberately put themselves through.
Running hurts. It's NOT fun. I've just returned from my first run and I can't move.
I have decided to lie comatose on the floor until I can breath. Or move. Or drink water.
Thank goodness for husbands. He brought me water, while my dog jumped on my chest in excitement. Why am I lying down? Is it play time??? He brings me a toy and I just don't have the energy to throw it.
I accidentally picked a route with a huge hill. I walked it. It was not easy. So here's a tip for any beginners: it's not advisable to try and take on a hill on your first run!!!
I am missing that sense of euphoria that is supposed to come with this. I think I lost it somewhere on Yonge Street.
It is so surprising how much pain we, as in humankind, as in runners, deliberately put themselves through.
Running hurts. It's NOT fun. I've just returned from my first run and I can't move.
I have decided to lie comatose on the floor until I can breath. Or move. Or drink water.
Thank goodness for husbands. He brought me water, while my dog jumped on my chest in excitement. Why am I lying down? Is it play time??? He brings me a toy and I just don't have the energy to throw it.
I accidentally picked a route with a huge hill. I walked it. It was not easy. So here's a tip for any beginners: it's not advisable to try and take on a hill on your first run!!!
I am missing that sense of euphoria that is supposed to come with this. I think I lost it somewhere on Yonge Street.
Some tips for beginners...from the mouths of babes!
While researching my "adventures in marathoning" I have come across a huge amount of websites offering tips for novice runners and training schedules for people who don't know anything about running. Since I'm going to chalk myself up as one of those, I have to say that these resources make it next to impossible to come up with any excuse whatsoever to not start running.
The best resources so far are:
nike.com - great training log to log daily runs and cross-training
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/5k.html - good training schedules
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/144.shtml - good schedules and advice
What I have learned from all this reading is that the most important thing when starting to train for any running distance, is planning your strategy and making a schedule. I have to learn how to run 21.5 km in 21 weeks. So I've mapped out a fool proof training schedule that has me running 10 by next week.....okay wait...that is SO not realistic. I think I'll have to go back to the drawing board!!!
The best resources so far are:
nike.com - great training log to log daily runs and cross-training
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/5k.html - good training schedules
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_4/144.shtml - good schedules and advice
What I have learned from all this reading is that the most important thing when starting to train for any running distance, is planning your strategy and making a schedule. I have to learn how to run 21.5 km in 21 weeks. So I've mapped out a fool proof training schedule that has me running 10 by next week.....okay wait...that is SO not realistic. I think I'll have to go back to the drawing board!!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
What have I gotten myself into??
One evening, after a glass of wine or two at a neighbourhood Cinco de Mayo party, I suddenly found myself entering into a non-refutable pact to run a half-marathon in September with a group of women I had just met. Now this might not sound like such a strange proposal. In fact, many many people run half-marathons every year and survive. I however, like to drink. Let's just get that out there now so that its over with. I like to occassionally smoke too. And I like to stay up late at dark lounges and dance. These things are not usually followed by an early morning fitness session of any sort, other than standing up and getting to the couch, where my lovely husband brings me toast and coffee.
This drastic promise, comes with drastic measures, which means no drinking, no smoking, no late, late nights unless its a movie, and lots of running.
Yes, I am a beginner runner. I have tested the running waters in the past, even finishing a 10K once upon a time, but for all intensive purposes I am a newbie to really long distance running. Since I now must take this seriously, as my pact is non-breakable, I have decided to blog about it. I promise, this won't be just another running blog logging kilometres and talking myself up (although I might occassionally have an egomaniacal moment). This journey will include a lot of pain, a lot of learning and a lot of long lonely kilometres on the road, thinking about what I'm going to write here!
Okay, shoes...check....shorts....check....ipod....check....waterbottle.................darn, where the heck is it...............................................................
This drastic promise, comes with drastic measures, which means no drinking, no smoking, no late, late nights unless its a movie, and lots of running.
Yes, I am a beginner runner. I have tested the running waters in the past, even finishing a 10K once upon a time, but for all intensive purposes I am a newbie to really long distance running. Since I now must take this seriously, as my pact is non-breakable, I have decided to blog about it. I promise, this won't be just another running blog logging kilometres and talking myself up (although I might occassionally have an egomaniacal moment). This journey will include a lot of pain, a lot of learning and a lot of long lonely kilometres on the road, thinking about what I'm going to write here!
Okay, shoes...check....shorts....check....ipod....check....waterbottle.................darn, where the heck is it...............................................................
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