So, I was trying to find some expert advice to advise, encourage or otherwise justify the nutty task I’ve undertaken this month of running a 5K every day. I know how I feel and what it’s done to me, but figured I’d try and find some expert articles or encouragement or something.

Have you ever tried to find running advice on the internet? It goes something like this:

Running is bad for you and will prematurely age you.
Running is the greatest thing ever and will keep you young.
Running will ruin your knees.
Running is great for you knees.

On distance:

distance running will make you loose weight
distance running will make you gain weight
distance running will create lean muscle mass
distance running creates fat

On stretching:

You have to stretch or you’ll get hurt FOR SURE.
Don’t stretch. Stretching is bad. If you stretch, you’ll get hurt FOR SURE.

And I could go on. And on. And on. But I got bored. And besides, my son is home sick with a stomach bug and is watching the entire series of Arrested Development so, well, you know, it’s hard to focus. Because there really is always money in the banana stand.

What’s my point? Maybe this. Don’t listen to the experts. Read what interests you, let articles motivate and encourage you, but at the end of the day if it feels good, do it. As a pastor, I can ONLY recommend this for running. hahahaha (sorry, I’m tired of LOL so I’m bringing back the haha)

So after 7 days of running every single day, I feel . . . .GREAT. I’m not sore, my knees don’t hurt, my hips don’t hurt, my ham strings aren’t tight (that I can feel, my massage therapist may feel differently). My energy level is great, I’m sleeping really well and I’m not struggling with anxiety or even a tinge of depression.

I’m varying the days quite a big – speed work intervals one day, easy and steady one day, hills one day, running only based on how I feel and not looking at my pace one day . . .you get the picture. I’m trying to be sure that I’m not doing the EXACT same thing day in and day out as I think it would get boring as heck AND I’m pretty sure that’s how you get those pesky overuse injuries we all hear tell about. So far it’s working. I’m even trying different podcasts and music every day. Thank you, Mickey Miles Podcast, for spending some great miles with me this week! And thanks to Myron Butler for providing the entertainment for my gospel themed run. Good Night, I defy you to listen to I Honor You as My King and not be fast and amazing. It’s just simply not possible.

Now, keep in mind, I’m a WHOPPING one week in. And the goal is four of those weeks. In a row. So we’ll see how I feel next Friday. But for now, it ain’t broke so I’m not going to fix it. (insert joke here: “all of these antiques are from the Baroque period. And you know what they say? If it ain’t Baroque, don’t fix it.” Beauty and the Beast, Cogsworth the clock)

In other news: This week two fun things came across my FB wall. The medals for the Dumbo Double Dare and the trailer for Spirit of the Marathon II (which I’m going to post at the bottom for your enjoyment). Both VERY motivating and exciting for me. I adore my day job and my family, but running is my outlet and I love doing it, writing about it, reading about it and thinking about it. It’s just a hobby but seriously, it makes me feel young and happy so even if some of the above bad stuff is true? I’m gonna keep on doing it! Until my body, my doctor, or the good Lord tells me to stop.

Happy Running, Everybody!!

Jen