Whether it is a success or not, a resolution is designed to inspire growth. Ideally, once you’ve succeeded, you’re a better person. Or, if nothing else, the process changes you. What do they say? “It’s the journey, not the destination.” For me, running is a lot like a resolution. Ideally, I’ll be a healthier, stronger person after accomplishing a goal – or a single run – but it’s the journey that moves me. So, for 2016, I decided to accept a challenge presented by ilovetorun.org and run 1,000 miles this year. This article will serve as a pedometer, of sorts, for you to follow me on my journey as well as a place for us to share the thoughts and ideas inspired by each mile.
Growing up, we were always taught to do our best job. My mother used to say (because her father used to say), “no matter what you do – even if it’s cleaning toilets – do the best job you know how to do.” I’ll admit, there was a time when I didn’t fully understand this. I mean, I said I did, and I acted like I did, but it actually took me some time to develop a strong work ethic. And even now, I’m still pretty lazy. I’ll take a nap over doing the dishes any day!
When I do a job, though, even if it’s a small task, I try to do it the best way I know how. I try to make each step count. The same goes for running. When I went for a run the Thursday after the big Snow Day last month, I found myself confronted with my own hypocrisy. Thursday is a five-mile day. Knowing it is well trafficked and would have a relatively clear path, we opted to run our five miles up and down the Boulevard in Sequoyah Hills. We were mostly right about having a clear path. Mostly. The pavement was essentially clear at the start with some puddles, snow and ice along the way. It made for an interesting run – using the word “run” loosely, here. I was leaping and dodging unsavory spots of slush. Tiptoeing, to find concrete through two inches of snow. By the end I was more or less just tentatively trotting along, praying my feet were still under me with each heal strike. No, I’d hardly have called it running.
When I finished my five miles and got in my car, I did not have the same euphoric feeling of accomplishment that make a 4:30 in the morning alarm worth it. I felt disappointed. I hadn’t pushed myself – mostly because the conditions wouldn’t allow it. There was little cardiovascular exercise because my pace was so cautiously slow. My hips hurt from changing my stride. In running, we have an expression about “putting miles on your legs.” So after this run, I’d put the miles on my legs, but was it worth it?
Was a half-hearted attempt better than none at all? Yes, and no, and I’ll tell you why, for both. My adventure into the cold was bad for me circa Leo in Titanic because there was far more stress than necessary. I enjoy running for the freedom of it. For lack of an analogy less ridiculous than this: I enjoy the opening up of your heart and mind as you open up your stride (I’m sorry I did that to you). There was none of that on my wintery run. There was prancing around ice and a lot of nose blowing, but no open strides and just a mind muddled with puddles. It was unsatisfying.
My adventure into the tundra circa Leo in the Revenant was also good for me because I learned from it. I learned something about my stride and my pace. An old injury flared up as a result of breaking my form. It was temporary, and I’m fine, but I know now. Furthermore, I needed the mileage. I’m working towards a goal, so even the weakest runs matter. It’s the runs I don’t go on that would be truly disappointing. Re: Wayne Gretzky and that thing about missing the shots you don’t take.
Will I make the decision to run in such conditions again? No. I know that I can buy Batman shoes with special traction and gadgets and spikes, but I live in East Tennessee. And the reality of it is, there will probably only be one day in winter where this is a concern. And it already happened. It was a crappy five miles and, even with 1,000 miles to achieve, it wasn’t worth it for me. Sure, I’m that much closer to my goal, but I should have, and could have, postponed those miles to ensure a good, strong run. To not just do it, but to do it well. To do the job the best way I know how.
Goal for 2016: 1,000 miles
Year to date: 87 miles
Miles to go: 913 miles
