An APPRECIATION of Running!


As I have gotten out and ran these past few weeks, especially during this Covid19 pandemic. While running I have thought often about the blessing it is that we and (I) have running and this team. I look at this as an opportunity and appreciate it for what it is. We have this chance to have an outlet. The outlet of running, I can’t tell you how many times if I’m ever feeling cooped up, needing a break, that I can lace up my shoes, head out the door, and enjoy a good run. It helps me to relax, refocus, rejuvenate, and strengthen myself. We can still improve, prepare ourselves for our upcoming summer miles and season. Not many sports are able to do so.

I have listed a few thoughts about running that I hope you can identify and relate with. 

Running made me mentally tougher. Competing in sports — can build mental tenacity. But running does it in a different way. For most of us (the non-elite runners), the competition is with ourselves. Training to run a 5K as fast as you can? That race will test your will in ways you won’t expect. Discomfort hangs over you. So does pain. And the nagging voice in the back of your head that tells you to quit. Overcome those things and you will emerge a tougher person.

Running got me outside more. I’m not a treadmill runner. I’ll do it if I must, but most of the time I’m outside running the streets or kicking up dirt on the trails. Being outside on foot helped me get to know my community better. It got me into the woods, over the hills and into new places I’d never have seen in a gym, on a court or sitting on the couch. I’ve seen, heard and smelled things that will stick with me for as long as I have memory — the sweet scents of spring flowers, the swoop of an owl bearing down on its prey. And so much more.

I met some awesome people through running. One of the smartest things I did was I got involved in a run group, A XC team. They greatly expanded the number of people I consider friends. This new group of friends got me involved in such wonderous adventures. I have run SO many races, Ragnar races both road and on trails. Each moment, each memory, and each experience has enriched my life and blessed my life with some amazing people that I will NEVER forget. It’s hard to explain to others the bond that is shared through this running experience. Without running, I’d know none of these people and would have been poorer for it.

Running helps quiet my mind. Look, man. Everyone’s got problems. I don’t know anyone who’s lived such a charmed life that they can say they’ve never dealt with some sort of hardship or hurt. But there are events of loss, pain, anger and sadness that can pile up and overwhelm you. Especially if they pile up all at once. That’s where this running came along at just the right time, especially with all this Covid19 stuff. I hope we can all appreciate that we HAVE an opportunity to continue to press forward, to get out and run and to strengthen ourselves mentally, emotionally and physically through running.  None our lives are any harder than each other’s, But it sure would feel harder if not for the opportunity that each one of us has to go out and run those miles, however you spent them either pounding pavement or devouring trails, Get out there and RUN!

We as coaches miss ALL of you! We hope that you ALL are doing ok. We encourage you to get out and RUN!!!

Lockdown has been a strange experience for runners, whether you are unmotivated, unable to get out of the house, or feeling lonely, remember we are all in this together.