3 Non-physical benefits to running

Michael Hyatt explains what he gets out of running besides being fit. His three are:

1. Running provides me with “think time
2. Running provides an opportunity for personal growth
3. Running provides the chance to recharge

Read the whole thing and then comment what non-physical benefits do you get from running?

A couple of running links

It's a while since I last posted but it's not that I haven't been running just not writing about it. In fact I've done two 7 mile runs in the last 24 hours, so there. But here are a couple of friends thoughts on running

• Matt Hosier reflects on the life benefits from training for the Brighton marathon
• Sean Green recently did a 5k in Reading with the park run initiative.

Are we born to run?

It's been a while since I blogged here but I have been running and buying new shoes! Enjoy this talk on running

I hate running

Well I don't, but Pete Cornford does but he'll keep on running.

"Today I put on my trainers and did 12kms. I did not wear a hat or take a drink. It was only when I got back that I discovered it was 29degrees."

Read the whole thing

I love running

I love running, and while I don't want my identity to be in that and all that jazz. Every now and then you see something that is just cool. This made me want to go out for a run, which I did last night and this morning. Made me want to buy the product too, but I haven't done that yet.

Just very tired

So for the last few weeks I've done hardly any running. I have been so tired. Work has been busy, life has been challenging, evenings have been full. In the mornings I can barely open my eyes and by the evening I'm hungry and shattered.

So nothing for the last couple of weeks. Then on Sunday this happened and I suddenly have two weeks paternity break. So last night I went out and ran. Not far, just the usual 3.43 miles and went for it hard. I was minutes quicker for the first two thirds but came in at 25'59 so must have faded pretty badly over the last third.

Still it was a decent time and good to get some of the cobwebs out. Lets see if I can rediscover the running groove!

Running is great

So last night was the club run and I ran the frustrating route. There must be something about being chased because I finished nearly 4 MINUTES quicker which is a massive improvement. 25min 47 seconds down from 29min 36 seconds. So 7 minute miles which is not bad. So, I clearly wasn't pushing myself hard enough running on my own.

Had some good advice on marathon training afterwards, which was helpful.

Oh and today my knees are sore.

Running is frustrating

So I ran the route of my last post again, and began to stretch out my stride and I felt good all the way round. Felt strong, felt like I had good rhythm and fluency. I was hopeful of a good time. 29 min 36 seconds which means yes I was quicker by 6 seconds. 6 SECONDS!!! I mean that's a slow crossing of the road, it's nothing. How does that work? How can I feel so much better about the run and only run 6 SECONDS quicker? Any ideas?

Run No.2

I don't think the preparation for this run can be found in any runner's magazine. After church we had lunch at some friends, we start eating about 2.30 and finish about 3.45 - I stuff myself on pudding. I cheekily weigh myself in their bathroom and discover I am 12 stone 4lbs or about 77kg. I think that is near my heaviest. I feel bloated, two trips to the toilet help just a little. At just before 5 on a gloriously sunny day, I waddle down the road and begin trundling the road home. I have the wrong top, dressed for winter, running in summer. Idiot.

Here's my route. 6.34991 miles or 10.2192km covered in 1hr 9 min 11 seconds. That's 5.5mph (sounds really slow) or just under an 11 minute mile. By unfair comparison Haile Gebrselassie did a half marathon by the time I plodded those 6 miles and did 26 consecutive 5 minute miles.

End result, my longest run for some time just one quarter of the distance I need to run in April.