My official training schedule for the Chicago marathon starts June 16th. For the time being, I am trying to get strong enough to complete 10 miles without feeling like I want to kill myself and trying to run for fun whenever possible. Training for a race can start to feel like having sex when you’re trying to get pregnant – something that was fun and enjoyable becomes a chore and a tad stressful. I started running mostly for fun (well and to fight some pretty deep depression but that’s a story for another day) and as much as possible would like to keep it that way.
While we wait for the training to begin, I thought I’d thrill you with some tidbits, motivational videos, and things that help me get out of bed. I am a very emotional human being, which I frankly love about me, but it means that sometimes my runs are rapturous and sometimes they are torturous but they are rarely in the middle. Much like Anne of Green Gables, I can frequently get into the “depths of despair” and must turn to youtube to bring me out of the running pit.
Here are some faves:
- Spirit of the Marathon (have watched this about 15 times. No surprise, then, than I’m obsessed with running Chicago) You can watch it for free here Spirit of The Marathon
- This is a great video by my friend Tracy. This was her first half and when I saw this I just knew I had to sign up for my first half, too!! Watch with caution;) http://youtu.be/FwamdPoivng?hd=1
I’ve also read dozens of books on the subject of running because I am the type of person that loves researching things to death. But I can never seem to remember what book things came from so I will tell you right now that even things that I think are my original thoughts, most likely are not. As my friend Karen says, “creativity is just forgetting where you stole something from”. Here’s my list:
- Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (truly the book that started it all for me)
- Marathon Woman by Kathryn Switzer (amazing to me that the year I was born, women were not even ALLOWED to enter marathons – crazy)
- Run Like a Mother by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea
- The Non-Runner’s Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais (HILARIOUS!!)
- Anything by Jeff Galloway
- The Complete Book of Running by Jim Fixx ( first published in 1977 this is an oldie but goodie – has some outdated info but my dad loved this book so it will always make my list)
I mentioned last time that I run in minimalist shoes – I started in Vibram Five Fingers (or VFF’s 😉 3 years ago and am now in the Merrill minimalist which I adore. I still love my Vibrams but for anything over 5 miles the Merrills win because they don’t give me blisters. The Vibram site has some great info on how to get started in minimalist shoes – I followed none of this advice but it seems like a really good idea if you don’t want to break your feet. http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/barefoot-sports/barefoot_running.htm
And here’s the last video you can watch if you want. I just got a macbook again and went a little nuts with iphoto, but I do think it shows how much fun the community of runners can be. Most of the women you see in this video I met online and they have become as close as sisters to me. Just goes to show you never know where you’ll find your family. Enjoy! Next time let’s talk about music – and why I’m obsessed with my running playlist but also like to run to just to my own thoughts sometimes.
I can’t wait to follow your Chicago training here on the blog! You are going to rock it! I research things to death, too; just another thing we have in common! I can’t believe you talked about sex; there goes your G-rating! 😉
Yeah, of course I mean sex between MARRIED people so if Flosie reads it make sure she gets that;)!!
And I found Tracy’s video and added it! Love!
And that is why you are one of my favorite people IN THE WORLD! 🙂