Dear JP:
It goes without saying that I think you’re awesome and admire you so much for your ability to overcome so much in your life. Most of us have our demons to face. Some of us can’t seem to take that first step. What would you say was the driving force that made you take that first step toward overcoming your addictions and how do you “stay the course” when faced with temptation?
Sincerely,
L.G.
Dear Looking for Direction:
How apt that you asked, what made me “take that first step”, because within your question, lies the answer. For me, running is the perfect metaphor for life, as it reminds us that we can’t get anywhere until we take that first step, and even more important, you can choose to take that “first step” no matter where you may be in your life.
I began my running pratice shortly after entering a treatment program to deal with my drug and alcohol addiction. It didn’t take me long to discover that running brought out the best in me. In addition to the obvious physical and psychological benefits, running has taught me to be accountable, to set and keep goals, and even to a greater extent, it has allowed me to be proud of myself.
18 years into my sobriety, running has become my constant companion throughout the highs and lows that for years, I used to escape from using drugs and alcohol. I typically average close to 200 km/week, so it’s been suggested that I have simply replaced one addiction with another. That may indeed be the case, but it’s a trade off I’m more than willing to make. Somewhere along the way, I stopped running away, and I began running “into myself”.
Dear JP:
I have a friend who is an avid runner. He runs everywhere – like hundreds of kilometers per week. I have asked time and time again if he could run past the Harbord Bakery early on a Sunday morning, grab a few items, and then run them up to my house located at the north end of the city. It’s not like I expect him to foot the bill. There will be an envelope of cash in the mailbox (now that we don’t actually use it for mail). I have never asked for coffee, as I wouldn’t want him to spill it and burn himself. But still, he never shows up. Should I carry on the friendship, even though I seem to have very high expectations of what that entails, or should I drop him?
Sincerely,
A Jewish Princess
Dear Pining Princess:
Now, I’ve heard of ‘friends with benefits’, but you may be taking that to the extreme. You obviously have a deep love and admiration for your friend, but I’m concerned that this may be eclipsed by your love of fresh baked carbs and sticky buns. I would hate to think that your friendship is contingent upon his running errands for you, even though it sounds like he’s always out running anyways. Maybe there is another option… I have it on good authority that this “avid runner” has a proclivity for beverages of the perked variety. Why not invite him to drop by for a coffee while he’s out on one of his runs… and just maybe, he might offer to bring along some of those fresh baked sticky buns. It certainly sounds like a win-win situation to me.
Dear JP:
What 3 pieces of advice would you give to someone for remaining healthy and injury free as a distance runner? What has worked for you in this regard?
Sincerely,
N.B.
Dear Looking for Longevity:
Now that I’ve run over 120 marathons, in addition to all the racing highlights, I must admit I have had my fair share of injury, disappointments, not mention – running ‘funks’. Running, like anything precious in life, needs to be nurtured and respected if you want it to remain your faithful companion. My three pieces of advice to you are: First, focus on ‘consistency’, and by that I mean establish running habits that you can maintain over the long haul. I’ve seen too many runners start out in our sports by setting the bar too high in terms of mileage and pacing, only to be plagued by chronic injury, and that inevitably leads to them dropping out of the sport.
Second, unless you’re competing for the podium, or chasing that elusive Boston qualifier, be careful with the speed work and hill training elements of your training program. Pounding up and down during hill repeats takes a huge toll on the body, and that’s why I prefer to incorporate hilly terrains in my weekly runs. The same is true for speed work. Intervals are not everybody’s cup of tea, so you might consider mixing in tempo bursts and fartleks in your regular runs.
And finally, it goes without saying that maintaining a healthy diet is critical to sustaining a long and rewarding running practice. I would also add that nurturing connections and relationships within the running community both online and in person, is another component to guaranteeing that running will be with you for many years to come.
Blog: http://www.breathethroughthis.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RunjpRun
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jptherunner
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