Busy couple of weeks. Barely had time to run at all this week, so I didn't really have much to say, but I figured it was about time I updated this.
Today's topic is Noise. Or Music, or just silence.
Okay, I'm gonna start that over.
Today's topic is Music: Why or Why Not to Use it When Running.
Personally, I run to music all the time. I know the good sides to it, as well as some of the bad sides. I'm gonna explain why I run to music, and my personal responses to people arguing against running with music. I'll also list some of my favorite songs to run to.
I run with music for 3 reasons.
1) Music is a passion of mine. I do everything to music. Walk, run, play video games, read, study, whatever it is I do, I have music in the backround. Music makes things fun. Period.
2) The change in the tones of music helps me speed up or slow down. A fast song will have a faster pace to run to, a slow one will have, you guessed it, a slower pace, so you can catch your breath a little bit more.
3) Music is a fantastic distraction. When my feet begin to feel like raw hamburger after pounding the ground for a long run, it's nice to know that, at least, for the moment, I won't have to think about it.
Now, here's some criticism I've gotten from "more experienced runners" who are against running with music, and my responses.
"A real runner doesn't need music to run."
My response: "Running is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Everyone has their own running style, but just because someone has a differing style from you doesn't make them any less of a runner."
"Running with headphones in is dangerous"
My response: "It's only dangerous if you don't use your other senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and, my favorite, common sense."
"You look like an idiot with those headphones in."
My response: "What?! I can't hear you over the sound of me passing you by. Also, this is my JAM!"
Okay, so that last one never happened, but I've always wanted to use that comeback.
Last, but not least, my top 5 running songs. Give them a listen if you'd like.
5.) Gravity by Hit the Lights
4.) Dare by Gorillaz
3.) Chainsaw by Family Force 5
2.) Anthem for the Underdog by 12 Stones
1.) Ambulance Chaser by Search the City
That's it for today. Question for you guys:
"Do you run to music? If so, what is your go-to running song?"
Friday, April 4, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
Addiction (Reasons why I run)
Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to PWG!
Today's topic is addiction. Sometimes it's difficult to see how this corellates with running, but if you have already "caught the running bug", you can understand.
*Mostly, this will be a background info post. If you already know who I am, or if you don't quite have any personal interest, this entry is best left skipped.*
I have an addictive personality. When I drink, I drink in excess. Usually until I pass out or can't walk anymore. Whenever I pick up smoking, I usually have difficulty quitting for months. The few times I have gambled, I wound up going to the ATM to withdraw more money. And I'm not even gonna start with the subject of sex. With that said, it wasn't hard for me to get addicted to the endorphins released after a good run.
Hello, my name is Scott, and I'm a run-a-holic.
It's been 10 hours since my last run, which was 4 miles. I have no intention of quitting this habit, this addiction. I know that I need the Run more than the Run needs me.
I don't have many reasons for why I run. It's not for the health benefits. I have horrible eating habits, and I smoke about half a pack a day normally. Like I said, addictive personality.
I don't do it out of competitive nature. I'm not a competitive guy.
There's only 3 reasons why I run.
1.) Previously mentioned, I'm addicted to the endorphins caused by running. This chemical reaction in my brain has helped me through difficult times, and has helped me sort out some very frustrating thoughts.
2.) I love to prove people wrong. This mentality is the main reason I started running. I've met many people who have put every effort in discouraging me from running, in telling me that I can't do it, or that I'm doing it all wrong. It's self-absorbed of me to say this, but I thrive off the look on someone's face when I show them I could do something they genuinely believed was "impossible" for me.
3.) I do it because I can. Because, in reality, do you really need another reason to do anything?
Now, for those of you who stuck through with this rambling mess of an entry, I have a question for you:
Do you consider yourself a "runaholic"? If so, what, if any, are the main reasons you run?
Today's topic is addiction. Sometimes it's difficult to see how this corellates with running, but if you have already "caught the running bug", you can understand.
*Mostly, this will be a background info post. If you already know who I am, or if you don't quite have any personal interest, this entry is best left skipped.*
I have an addictive personality. When I drink, I drink in excess. Usually until I pass out or can't walk anymore. Whenever I pick up smoking, I usually have difficulty quitting for months. The few times I have gambled, I wound up going to the ATM to withdraw more money. And I'm not even gonna start with the subject of sex. With that said, it wasn't hard for me to get addicted to the endorphins released after a good run.
Hello, my name is Scott, and I'm a run-a-holic.
It's been 10 hours since my last run, which was 4 miles. I have no intention of quitting this habit, this addiction. I know that I need the Run more than the Run needs me.
I don't have many reasons for why I run. It's not for the health benefits. I have horrible eating habits, and I smoke about half a pack a day normally. Like I said, addictive personality.
I don't do it out of competitive nature. I'm not a competitive guy.
There's only 3 reasons why I run.
1.) Previously mentioned, I'm addicted to the endorphins caused by running. This chemical reaction in my brain has helped me through difficult times, and has helped me sort out some very frustrating thoughts.
2.) I love to prove people wrong. This mentality is the main reason I started running. I've met many people who have put every effort in discouraging me from running, in telling me that I can't do it, or that I'm doing it all wrong. It's self-absorbed of me to say this, but I thrive off the look on someone's face when I show them I could do something they genuinely believed was "impossible" for me.
3.) I do it because I can. Because, in reality, do you really need another reason to do anything?
Now, for those of you who stuck through with this rambling mess of an entry, I have a question for you:
Do you consider yourself a "runaholic"? If so, what, if any, are the main reasons you run?
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Best Run Ever
Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to PWG!
Today's topic is a run we consider to be our "best run". This could be an official race, a fun jog out in the park with family, or just a run around the block. The most important factor in a run being your "best" run, is you. How the run made you feel, what thoughts came through your head while you were running, what, in particular, the motivation was for that run.
Personally, my best run took place February last year. It was my last fun run before I went for a month long trip to the Philippines. It was raining pretty heavily that day, but I took that as reason to go over to the track and see how well I could do. I grabbed my gear (phone, jacket, trackpants, and vibrams), and jogged the half mile to the track. Once I got to the track, I started hearing thunderclaps, and the rain came down harder. I got goosebumps. I popped in my headphones, turned the music up, and just ran.
I slipped, tripped, splashed, and grinned like an idiot throughout the entire run, which wound up being 8 miles on the track. My headphones slipped out halfway through, and I finished the run just listening to my footfalls, and the sound of the rain and thunder rushing down from the clouds. During that single hour, I felt more at one with the world than I have my entire life, and to this day, I use that single run to motivate myself to run harder and farther than I had not expected myself to go just a few years ago.
That run was the first (and so far only) time I had ever managed to run a sub-8 minute mile, and I finished the entire 8 miles at 1 hour and 16 minutes. Now, everytime it starts to rain outside, I get extremely eager to go outside and run.
So, tell me, readers, do you have a run you consider to be your "best" run? Feel free to tell me in the comments.
Today's topic is a run we consider to be our "best run". This could be an official race, a fun jog out in the park with family, or just a run around the block. The most important factor in a run being your "best" run, is you. How the run made you feel, what thoughts came through your head while you were running, what, in particular, the motivation was for that run.
Personally, my best run took place February last year. It was my last fun run before I went for a month long trip to the Philippines. It was raining pretty heavily that day, but I took that as reason to go over to the track and see how well I could do. I grabbed my gear (phone, jacket, trackpants, and vibrams), and jogged the half mile to the track. Once I got to the track, I started hearing thunderclaps, and the rain came down harder. I got goosebumps. I popped in my headphones, turned the music up, and just ran.
I slipped, tripped, splashed, and grinned like an idiot throughout the entire run, which wound up being 8 miles on the track. My headphones slipped out halfway through, and I finished the run just listening to my footfalls, and the sound of the rain and thunder rushing down from the clouds. During that single hour, I felt more at one with the world than I have my entire life, and to this day, I use that single run to motivate myself to run harder and farther than I had not expected myself to go just a few years ago.
That run was the first (and so far only) time I had ever managed to run a sub-8 minute mile, and I finished the entire 8 miles at 1 hour and 16 minutes. Now, everytime it starts to rain outside, I get extremely eager to go outside and run.
So, tell me, readers, do you have a run you consider to be your "best" run? Feel free to tell me in the comments.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sunday Runday! (Pt 2)
Now, for the second part of Sunday Runday!
The topic I'm gonna post about today is getting into a routine. If you have a busy schedule already, it's difficult sometimes to squeeze in a quick run. I've had that problem a few times before, personally, and each time, I solved it differently. Here's some suggestions for how to get into a routine, or, if you hate the word "routine", you can call it "fun run time". Your choice.
1. Wake up earlier: Depending on your work or school schedule, this may or may not be a likely possibility, but it's pretty self explanatory. Wake up about an hour earlier than you usually do, go out for a quick 15-30 minute run, then carry on with your day like normal. This may require you to go to sleep earlier too.
2. Go to sleep later: Just as self explanatory as #1, but a little bit more likely for those nighttime runners out there. Just set up a time after work or school to go out and run, then get it done. Afterwards, get some well deserved rest.
3. Go during your lunch break: This one is a hit or miss with most people. Some people skip lunch, some people go on "work outings" during lunch... it's just a little bit more difficult unless you go at a set time throughout the day and have no other interruptions. The only thing you'd have to choose is whether or not you want that beef and bean burrito before or after your run. (I'd suggest after)
4. Go during your days off: For a lot of people, this feels like the only option, which not many people like because, unless you're an avid runner, not many people want to go out during their free time to go shuffle, moan, groan, and swear their way through a couple miles. If this is your only option, though, try and work it around the things your normally do.
There really isn't much reason to go out and do something active for at least half an hour a day. It really isn't all that hard, and it does start to feel rewarding if you do it right. And believe me, you can always watch that TV show you'd probably be watching otherwise at a later time. After all, you can find damn near anything on the internet.
For this entry, the question is: How much of your free time is spent being active?
Hope you all had a great weekend!
The topic I'm gonna post about today is getting into a routine. If you have a busy schedule already, it's difficult sometimes to squeeze in a quick run. I've had that problem a few times before, personally, and each time, I solved it differently. Here's some suggestions for how to get into a routine, or, if you hate the word "routine", you can call it "fun run time". Your choice.
1. Wake up earlier: Depending on your work or school schedule, this may or may not be a likely possibility, but it's pretty self explanatory. Wake up about an hour earlier than you usually do, go out for a quick 15-30 minute run, then carry on with your day like normal. This may require you to go to sleep earlier too.
2. Go to sleep later: Just as self explanatory as #1, but a little bit more likely for those nighttime runners out there. Just set up a time after work or school to go out and run, then get it done. Afterwards, get some well deserved rest.
3. Go during your lunch break: This one is a hit or miss with most people. Some people skip lunch, some people go on "work outings" during lunch... it's just a little bit more difficult unless you go at a set time throughout the day and have no other interruptions. The only thing you'd have to choose is whether or not you want that beef and bean burrito before or after your run. (I'd suggest after)
4. Go during your days off: For a lot of people, this feels like the only option, which not many people like because, unless you're an avid runner, not many people want to go out during their free time to go shuffle, moan, groan, and swear their way through a couple miles. If this is your only option, though, try and work it around the things your normally do.
There really isn't much reason to go out and do something active for at least half an hour a day. It really isn't all that hard, and it does start to feel rewarding if you do it right. And believe me, you can always watch that TV show you'd probably be watching otherwise at a later time. After all, you can find damn near anything on the internet.
For this entry, the question is: How much of your free time is spent being active?
Hope you all had a great weekend!
Sunday Runday (pt1)
Welcome back, readers, to PWG! Today's entry will be a 2 parter, which is most likely gonna happen with most of my Sunday entries.
The reason why: Sundays are my long run days. I run 3 short runs (3-5 miles) during the week, usually Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and I use Mondays and Saturdays as rest days. So far, it's worked for me.
Anyway, today's run: I ran 11.5 miles today (or 12, depending on which of my GPS devices was correct. I'm going with the shorter distance.) I took 3 breaks during this run, to rest my feet a little bit, and to take some pictures, which I'm gonna post on here....... now.
It's always nice to take a look at things around you when running. You'll never really notice the beauty of the world otherwise. Take your time, because the only thing that matters in running is having fun, and not hurting yourself or others.
Question Time! If you guys run regularly, do you have a normal schedule for when you do it? If so, what days or times do you go out and have a nice little fun run?
The reason why: Sundays are my long run days. I run 3 short runs (3-5 miles) during the week, usually Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and I use Mondays and Saturdays as rest days. So far, it's worked for me.
Anyway, today's run: I ran 11.5 miles today (or 12, depending on which of my GPS devices was correct. I'm going with the shorter distance.) I took 3 breaks during this run, to rest my feet a little bit, and to take some pictures, which I'm gonna post on here....... now.
Break #1 at 3 miles:
Break #2 at 6 miles:
Break #3 at 9 miles:
And I just thought I'd add this one, since it was enough to make me stop and take a picture, but this was at 10.8 miles:
It's always nice to take a look at things around you when running. You'll never really notice the beauty of the world otherwise. Take your time, because the only thing that matters in running is having fun, and not hurting yourself or others.
Question Time! If you guys run regularly, do you have a normal schedule for when you do it? If so, what days or times do you go out and have a nice little fun run?
Friday, March 14, 2014
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
First of all, if you're reading this, Welcome to Pant, Wheeze, Groan: A Runner's Blog! (for future entries, I'm shortening it to PWG) I tend to come up with uplifting or motivational thoughts during or post run, and it's a little difficult to keep them short and sweet, so I decided to start this up.
For my first entry, I've decided to talk about... well, picking up running for the first time. I can remember the first run that made me realize how much fun it actually can be to have an active lifestyle.
On that run, I was barely able to manage running a mile. I had no form, no running shoes, and no idea what I was doing. I ran in a pair of steel toe shoes, a regular t-shirt, and an extremely loose fitting pair of cargo shorts. Yes, this was in high school, and no, this was not my first ever run. I was trying to lose weight to join the military. Even with a complete lack of information or "proper" running attire, I still managed to enjoy myself, even if I was going at a 16-min. pace for a single mile. I had managed to pant, wheeze, and groan my way to my first ever runner's high, and from that point on, I was hooked. Well, for a little while. I didn't get really into running until just over a year ago.
A year ago, I was, again, trying to lose weight, and I wanted to do it my way. I slipped on my running shoes for the first time since I had injured myself six months before, and went for a nice little mile jog. That jog turned into a 1/2 mile jog to the nearby track, 2 miles on the track, and then 1/2 a mile back. I got back to my room feeling like a champion, like I could do anything, and even now, a year and some months later, I still get that feeling every time I finish a run. No matter how long or short, how high or low, how fast or slow I've gone, I come back knowing that I'm improving, one step at a time.
So, I guess now is question time. Today's question, for those of you reading, is Do you remember your first run, and, if so, how did it impact your life (if at all)?
Thank you for reading, ladies and gents, and goodnight.
For my first entry, I've decided to talk about... well, picking up running for the first time. I can remember the first run that made me realize how much fun it actually can be to have an active lifestyle.
On that run, I was barely able to manage running a mile. I had no form, no running shoes, and no idea what I was doing. I ran in a pair of steel toe shoes, a regular t-shirt, and an extremely loose fitting pair of cargo shorts. Yes, this was in high school, and no, this was not my first ever run. I was trying to lose weight to join the military. Even with a complete lack of information or "proper" running attire, I still managed to enjoy myself, even if I was going at a 16-min. pace for a single mile. I had managed to pant, wheeze, and groan my way to my first ever runner's high, and from that point on, I was hooked. Well, for a little while. I didn't get really into running until just over a year ago.
A year ago, I was, again, trying to lose weight, and I wanted to do it my way. I slipped on my running shoes for the first time since I had injured myself six months before, and went for a nice little mile jog. That jog turned into a 1/2 mile jog to the nearby track, 2 miles on the track, and then 1/2 a mile back. I got back to my room feeling like a champion, like I could do anything, and even now, a year and some months later, I still get that feeling every time I finish a run. No matter how long or short, how high or low, how fast or slow I've gone, I come back knowing that I'm improving, one step at a time.
So, I guess now is question time. Today's question, for those of you reading, is Do you remember your first run, and, if so, how did it impact your life (if at all)?
Thank you for reading, ladies and gents, and goodnight.
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