The Type B Person's Guide to Running - Part I
Full article at www.thekosherhostesscom/articles/featured_articles/the_type_b_personality_s_guide_to_running
Howdy folks,
First of all, I wanted to put in a plug for any marathoners out there. From now until a week or two after the race, I'll give a $20 discount to people running the NYC marathon. Moreover, I'll give anyone a $20 discount for any marathoner they refer to me.
And since we're talking about running, I figured this month I would toss out some ideas for those of us who are a bit less serious about it, or who may want to start running.
Keep in mind when I write these things that I'm not a sports doctor, or a personal trainer, or even that great of an athlete. I'm just a kid that got cut from the middle school basketball team, became an out-of-shape musician with tons of muscle tension and headaches every other day, and then had to figure out as an adult how to get my body going again. So you should filter anything I say through your own instincts and experience, but here are some things that have helped keep running enjoyable and beneficial for me in the last 8 years.
The Type B Personality's Guide to Running.
1) Forget about the gadgets, gear, and measurments. I prefer to run without watches, or monitors, or ipods- just my brain and my shoes. I don't even keep track of distance anymore. These are personal choices, but I like to get rid of both distractions and expectations, and just listen to my body. This way, I find that the only discpline required for running is putting on my shoes and walking out the door. If I'm feeling sluggish, it may take 5-10 minutes for my energy to change gears- so I just run slow and relaxed until I wake up. Then my athletic energy will take over I will naturally want to push myself through a good workout. Occasionally I just can't get into it, so it give myself a break (slow down, shorten the run, whatever). I don't feel guilty about that at all- in fact, I enjoy running all the more because of it. It keeps me from burning out, and it usually will prime me for a great next run.
I've never run with music; maybe I'd love it if I did, but I think I'm happier without it. I usually end up with some song going through my head anyway. But having set no real expectations, I don't need the music to keeping pushing me down the trail. I'm free to listen to my own rhythm: my steps, my heartbeat, my breathing, the shift in my hips, the (hopefully minimal) creak in my knees... and when all that is in sync, it feels great to find the natural crescendo that takes me sprinting to the finish.
This email is long enough, so I'll save my other suggestions for next month. But until then, go try a run without any regimen; start, stop, run, walk, go fast, go slow, however you want- just run for pure fun, push yourself when you feel like it, and end when you're ready. I bet you'll be looking forward to your next run.
cam
Cameron Aiken
www.cameronaiken.com
Howdy folks,
First of all, I wanted to put in a plug for any marathoners out there. From now until a week or two after the race, I'll give a $20 discount to people running the NYC marathon. Moreover, I'll give anyone a $20 discount for any marathoner they refer to me.
And since we're talking about running, I figured this month I would toss out some ideas for those of us who are a bit less serious about it, or who may want to start running.
Keep in mind when I write these things that I'm not a sports doctor, or a personal trainer, or even that great of an athlete. I'm just a kid that got cut from the middle school basketball team, became an out-of-shape musician with tons of muscle tension and headaches every other day, and then had to figure out as an adult how to get my body going again. So you should filter anything I say through your own instincts and experience, but here are some things that have helped keep running enjoyable and beneficial for me in the last 8 years.
The Type B Personality's Guide to Running.
1) Forget about the gadgets, gear, and measurments. I prefer to run without watches, or monitors, or ipods- just my brain and my shoes. I don't even keep track of distance anymore. These are personal choices, but I like to get rid of both distractions and expectations, and just listen to my body. This way, I find that the only discpline required for running is putting on my shoes and walking out the door. If I'm feeling sluggish, it may take 5-10 minutes for my energy to change gears- so I just run slow and relaxed until I wake up. Then my athletic energy will take over I will naturally want to push myself through a good workout. Occasionally I just can't get into it, so it give myself a break (slow down, shorten the run, whatever). I don't feel guilty about that at all- in fact, I enjoy running all the more because of it. It keeps me from burning out, and it usually will prime me for a great next run.
I've never run with music; maybe I'd love it if I did, but I think I'm happier without it. I usually end up with some song going through my head anyway. But having set no real expectations, I don't need the music to keeping pushing me down the trail. I'm free to listen to my own rhythm: my steps, my heartbeat, my breathing, the shift in my hips, the (hopefully minimal) creak in my knees... and when all that is in sync, it feels great to find the natural crescendo that takes me sprinting to the finish.
This email is long enough, so I'll save my other suggestions for next month. But until then, go try a run without any regimen; start, stop, run, walk, go fast, go slow, however you want- just run for pure fun, push yourself when you feel like it, and end when you're ready. I bet you'll be looking forward to your next run.
cam
Cameron Aiken
www.cameronaiken.com
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