Running relationships

In June (after reading 'Kings of the Road – how Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar made running go boom') I suggested to a friend of mine about sharing his story.

He replied, indicating that he thought he didn't really have a story to tell or an audience.

Of course, I disagreed - he's been around running (and writing) for 50-odd years.

I thought long and hard about his reply, and mine. I offered this... 

Running is about relationships: 

• the relationship between a runner and others: those around, beside, alongside and occasionally against him or her - racers, runners, contemplators, gonners, and non-runners

• the relationship between a runner and Mother Nature: amongst hills, rain, humidity, wind, sand, snow, mud, grass, cold and heat, and amongst plants, bugs and furry critters, the runner can be any or all of explorer, thespian, wanderer, apprentice, artisan, master, sage and oracle - having eyes for and of the future.

• the relationship  amongst self: muscle, mind, mettle, and soul and spirit

• the relationship between runner and person: himself, pride, ego and super ego

•  the relationship between science and art: physics, physiology and psychology, and mystery, marvel and magic

• the relationship between sharing and shared

• the relationship between goals, determination, work and pride, sacrifice and dedication; even, for some, obbsession and addiction

• the relationship between energy, effort and economy

• the relationship between persistence, patience and power 

• the relationship between going out and about and starting and finishing in the same spot – going somewhere, everywhere, yet nowhere 

• the relationship between a runner's deep history, his now, and a possible future - a future dreamt, and a future possible 

• the relationship between success and failure: slipping, falling and getting up and going again - and again

• the relationship between winning and losing, and realising that they're not about first and last place - but, rather, the power of persistence and patience

• and, ultimately, their relationship with the toughest race of all – the race against oneself. Other competitors, times and places matter not in the finish. The race against, and ultimately for oneself is the race we all strive to win. Only through trusting oneself to test one's limits and having the courage to succeed can we all be winners.

Given your own running success, the journey you shared as running grew through the 60s, 70s and 80s, and the relationships you have forged and formed directly with and through running, and through your writings, you do have a story to tell.

The relationship(s) all runners have with running and what it offers, promises and provides is a story you can tell and, in many ways, is everyone's story. 

If you were to tell your story of running what would it be?

Running Better - early thoughts

Better Running...

Beginning or starting running is one thing. Continuing it is another.

Being  a patient and persistent (ie. regular) runner will bring improvements - you'll become a better runner. Many, at times, chose to be more proactive with getting better.

I've been working on this specific area the last few days. An area touched by 25 years of coaching, 32 years of running and some 832,000+ kms 

I've thought about it from the perspectives of: Why get better?  How get better?  When will I get better?  What makes be better?  Who can help me?  Where Can I go to get better?  I stayed away from the moral imperatives: should do, must do, ought to, have to, need to. Too limiting. I strayed to the creative – may do, like to, could do, try to, will do. And the powerful – will do.

A long list of "betters" found it's way. For now, this will do.

Running Better...

Running better means different things to different people: going further or longer; running easier or with less effort; going faster; improved pacing and racing; handling hills; changing terrain and surface, combatting heat, wind, cold, rain, wind, snow; bouncing back and staying back after injury...

Getting better came down to being BETTER:

B = Basics: don’t' stray to far away from the principles of good practice and good practise. Oh, and you''ll be best served by running. For the most part - forget the bike, and pool and gym

E = Effort: we can getlittle for nothing these days, yet you can get a lot from a little. It will take energy, and  - yes - some effort

T = Time: give it time, make time and it will come – in time

T = Training: run - practise, rehearse, review, revise and rework – training guides you, and creates your journey from your past, through now, and to your future

E = Effective: aim for sustained long term progress, and be wary the promises of efficient short-cuts, tips, and tricks. The only secret is that there is none.

R = Relationships: with yourself - your body, mind and spirit; with mother Nature – her tests and tribulations; with others – your friends, your team-mates, and competitors. For, ultimately, you may run for and by yourself, yet you will do this amongst, beside and alongside millions of others around the world.

How do you aim to run better?

The BIG Race 3

Mornings in Melbourne deliver all sorts of things.
Particularly in Winter.

At 7 this morning, when the 10km and 21km Run Melbourne events started, it was crisp and a northerly wind detracted from any bonus warmth the approaching Sun may have promised. Yet, it didn't deter the many of thousands running, jogging and walking.

A handful of us (in2runners) had the pleasure of enjoying parts of our Sunday long run while running alongside the course.

Although few words were uttered, the faces of many told much of their journey. Particularly at the finish-line.

A race is often a BIG thing for athletes; for people that compete against others or themselves, and against the course and the clock. For some it's about participating and finishing.

Yet, what is it that can make a race BIG?

A BIG race can come in all shapes and sizes, obviously. More importantly, the 'big' is more pertinent as to why it is important to the people that enter, participate, race and finish.

Although the origin of the word BIG is a bit of a mystery, it's evolved from a meaning of powerful or strong. I like this idea. It's a different perspective on BIG as large. This sense creates the idea of BIG conviction, strength and determination.

A BIG race, then can be any of:

• a race that is longer or further than you've ever done, or dreamt possible
• a race distance you complete faster than before - an IWR, an Individual World Record (or PB)
• a race or course that only goes up - a mountain run
• a race or course with large changes in elevation
• a race you paid big entry, travel and accommodation fees to enter and attend
• a race with 5-, 10-, 50- or 70-thousand people in it
• a race in a big city: London, Tokyo, Berlin, Rotterdam, Paris
• a famous race: Comrades, Sydney's City to Surf
• one of USA's BIG four: Chicago, New York, Boston
• the only race you do, ever
• your first race, your first marathon; your first cross-country, trail-, mountain-, track-, parkour- or urban-run
• a race you enter and raise money for charity
• the key focus or priority race for your season or year
• your first team or relay race
• the only or first race you beat your training partner, spouse, child, parent, coach, boss
• the race that sends you off to a representative team
• the race that opens the eyes of selectors, recruiters and scholarship providers
• the race you beat your ultimate rival in: Coe vs Ovett, Tergat vs Gabrisellesie, *Scott vs Allen
• a race you need to finish or beat someone for a bet
• a race (event) that see you travel interstate or overseas
• a race set along one of the world's natural or built wonders: by the Nile, the Grand Canyon, the Great Wall of China
• a race at a championship level: school, region, province, state, national, international
• a race at the Commonwealth, European, World championship, or Olympic Games
• a podium finish
• a first place
• just finishing
• a race that provides proof
• a race that let's you know you are okay
•  a race that inspires you
• a race that reminds you of why you run
• an event that reminds you that you're of the human race

Races can deliver all sorts of things. Some are BIGger than others.

Their importance to individuals has the potential to deliver moer than a crisp Winter morning in Melbourne.

At least, they deliver a knowing and warm smile.

And something so small can be so big!

All sorts...

Runners come in all shapes and sizes.

And speeds and styles.  And outfits and gadgets.

I got wondering about this while out and  about coaching this morning. The pleasure of coaching my in2running squad was magnified by the beautiful sunrise and early morning weather. The Botanical Gardens ('The Tan') in Melbourne attracts runners of all types: runners like you, runners like me, and runners like us.


Some speed by, others shuffle by; some stride past, many sigh past; some ease along, others pant-n-puff strong; yet, all move in their own way, and run along.


After our session I rewarded myself with a an hour-and-some of run/walk. I took my new Garmin Forerunner for a test run. Thank you to in2runners for this generous gift. It's nicknamed the Forderunner, hehe.

Then, I got to coach some speedy and agile football players, both Soccer and Australian Rules Football. More different shapes and sizes and speeds. And needs.

To this point, we've looked at some basics of program design. Let's take it a little further. As we do that let's be clear on the different types of running. Strangely enough their are different types of types of running. What the?

There are types defined by differences in gait, technique and mechanics: walk, jog, run, sprint.
There are types defined by distance: sprints, middle-distance, long distance, ultra-. Each of these have their own classifications and event names.
There are types defined by obstacles: hurdles or 'sticks', steeple-chase.
There are types defined by terrain: hill, trail, cross-country, even orienteering and rogaining.
There are types defined by outcomes: health-related, fitness-related running, performance-related running. Some even run for it's contribution to aesthetics.
There are types defined by relationship: individual, team, age-group.
There are types defined by no definition, yet for the exhileration and the experience.

Training effectively for each of these different types of running simply requires us to understanding running in context: who it's for, what they're training for, and the demands of their event.


A one-approach to training for running does not fit all people, nor does it fit all athletes or all events. It certainly doesn't fit all outcomes or goals, and nor should it remain the same for all people over time. This is Training Programs 101, 102 and 201.


Although sprints, middle-distance and endurance events all involve running...training for them requires different and individualised programs over time.  Yet, each effective program will be based upon sound athletic development principles of training.


In blogs to come I'll share my experiences with you about program design for endurance events.


Endurance runners come in all shapes and sizes.

What sort are you, and me?

Why do you run?

I've been running for 30ish years.

Running has taken me many places and helped build many relationships.
It has brought me in touch with myself, the world around me, and in touch with many others.


I know people who have just started running, others who have been running for a long time; some who are serious about running, others who dabble; many who run fast, some who run faster, and a few who run fastest.

We run for different reasons. And, the reasons why we begin running aren't necessarily the reasons why we continue to run.


A while back I asked the athletes I coach - the in2running squad - to write down why they run. And then to summarise each reason into a word.


Here is why they run: 
adventure, nature, sanity, gratitude, balance, clarity, passion, fun, fitness, enjoyment, speed, journey, living, friendship, security, discovery, connection, healing, growth, freedom, release, catharsis, isolation, sanity, challenge,  test self, control,  health, focus,  escape,  play, immersion, happiness, time,  feeling,  aesthetics,   efficiency,  routine, community,  choice,  travel,  improve,  competition, well-being,  change, security,  camaraderie,  find,  means-to-an-end, purpose,  fear , inner-child,  endure-ance,  body,  identity, and confidence...
    
We could explore these and find similarities and commonalities, and themes, and contradictions and paradoxes, yet each runner's reason/s is their own. And theirs alone.

 That is the beauty of running: its accessibility, its individuality, its simplicity, its transference.

 Why do you run?    I've been running so long, I don't know how to stop.