Only in a Runner's World

"Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners, too." 

~ Richard O'Brien

Yesterday I drove to Arlington so I could do my workout on the bike path instead of the road.  I had a whopper tempo run to tackle and I didn't want to have to deal with street crossings, cars and curbs.  As I was finishing my run, the parking official was marking my car's tire with chalk.  As he saw me coming, he stopped and waited by my car.  Hmmm, I thought.  Had I been there too long?  When I got to the car he asked me if I was all right.  I was dog tired and it very well may have looked like something was wrong.  But, still.  I told him I had just finished a run and that I was fine.  "How far did you go" he asked?  Despite my exhaustion and my strong desire to get in my car and drive to Starbucks, I could tell this guy wanted to chat and it was pretty clear that he was a runner.  So, I gave him the low down. "I did 10 miles with 8 at goal marathon pace."  "Wow. Nice work" he said.  Then he went to lift up the bottom of his pants with his chalk stick.  Ummm.  Wait a sec.  What the hell is going on here???  Alas, he revealed a pair of orange CEP compression socks like the ones I was wearing.  "I noticed you have the same socks" he said.  I never run without them.  He held out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Brian."  Because I was thrown for a loop and I didn't really have a choice, I shook his hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Brian, I'm Rebecca."  He let me know that he worked part time at Marathon Sports, a local running store, that he was also training for a marathon, and that the bike path that I had just run on was less than ideal for a tempo run because of its slight incline over several miles.  Yes, I nodded, I had just taken on that slight incline and it pretty much stunk.  We both laughed.  I told him that I was training for the Hartford Marathon, which I would be running in less than 3 weeks. "That's a great one," he said (of course he'd done it) and then proceeded to give me some tips.  We also talked about our Saucony's - I was wearing the Rides, he was in the Guides - and the differences between the two.  Finally, he chuckled as he told me that his wife thought he would have given up running years ago but that he can't seem to shake the habit.  I smiled.  "I get it" I said.  At this point, we wrapped things up.  "Well, Rebecca, you couldn't have asked for a better day for a run.  At least you got that."  "I could not agree more," I said.  And off he went, continuing to mark the tires as he strolled down the street.  Only in a runner's world is this situation both normal and acceptable.  And only in a runner's world is the camaraderie so solid that it's not the least bit odd to stop a runner on the sidewalk to admire their socks or to let them know they'd done a good job on their workout - or in this case, both.  The world is a crazy place.  The running world is even crazier.  But, if you're in it, you have to appreciate it.  There is truly nothing like it.

Listen to this:
Crazy - Au Revoir Simone  

The Explanation

A recent conversation with my 6 year old before bed:

Me: Grace, I'm racing tomorrow morning.  When you wake up, I won't be here, but dad will.  So if you need anything you'll be all set.

Grace: Mom, why do you ALWAYS race?

Me: I don't ALWAYS race.  I didn't race yesterday.  I didn't race on Monday.  In fact, I probably only race about once every month or two.  

Grace: But, why do you always run?

Me: Because I like the way it makes me feel.  It's good for me.  Why? Does it bum you out when I run?

Grace: I just think you should be spending that time with us. 
---> aaaand cue the guilt

Me: I spend a lot of time with you guys. I love hanging out with you.  But, I need to do my own thing, too.  It's good for all of us.  

Blank stare 

Me: Why do you sleep with your blanket every night?

Grace: My blanket is the most important thing in the world to me. 
---> slightly concerned about this, but it enforces my point, so I leave it.

Me: Right. Well, aside from you, Rosie and Daddy, running is one of the most important things in the world to me.  You need your blanket.  I need running.  
Grace: Mom?
Me: Yes, Grace? 
Grace: What would you do if you didn't run?
Me: I have no idea.  That's really hard for me to imagine.
Grace: If I didn't have my blanket, I would be sad all the time.
Me: I totally get it.  Good thing we have what we need, right?

Listen to this:
Scare Me - New Beat Fund  

REVIEW: ROCK RUN ROLL

I run with music.  I have two iPods and I often carry both on the road.  I have playlists beyond playlists.  All that said, I am always on the lookout for other ways to spice up a workout or long run.  I've experimented with BPM using the TrailMix App - awesome.  I've listened to a book via mp3 (aka "book on tape") - not as awesome, but still better than silence.  I've tried LOTS of things and yet none have truly excited or motivated me like my own music does. Enter Rock Run Roll.  This company recently reached out and asked me to check out their audio workouts.  I was instantly intrigued.  The various training sessions are designed by a team of coaches who collaborated with the Rock Run Roll deejay to create workouts that are tailored specifically to your ability level - beginner to expert and everything in between.  Whether your goal is to start running, to improve your performance or simply to kill the boredom of the treadmill, Rock Run Roll has you covered.  Each workout has a personal coach who guides you through the program with the ultimate goal being to give you a solid, effective workout while keeping things fun and interesting.  The workouts have different themes such as Africa Run, where you'll find yourself running through the plains alongside zebras with a Masai guide giving you personal motivation or The Space Run workout where you'll be blasting off into the netherlands of space for your workout.  Tell me you haven't always wanted to do this?  Okay, it's more likely, you haven't thought about doing it because it's not really an option to run in the desert or on the moon.  It is now - in a way.

Seriously, this is something totally different and I highly recommend that you go check it out.  If your interest is piqued, go ahead and download the free demo (no credit card required) .   Next time you lace up, why not take yourself on a running adventure.  Rock, Run & Roll!

Listen to this:
Generals - The Mynabirds  

Raining Music

Over the past few weeks new music has been pouring in.  Literally.  From all directions.  I am beside myself.  It's almost more than I can handle.  Almost.  Every day it's as if I am opening a little gift that I don't really deserve but will happily accept.  Naturally, I want to share all of them with you.  It's Friday, you've earned it.  Sink your teeth into these over the week-end.  Run with them.  Dance to them.  Put your feet up and chill with them.  Let me know what you think.  Rock on.

Listen to these:

SUNRISE - MajorLOVE


HEARTS LIKE OURS - The Naked & Famous


TAKE YOURS, I'LL TAKE MINE - Matthew Mole

SHE AIN'T SPEAKIN' NOW - of Montreal