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Previous issues: 2004 Soapboxes
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Nov Dec
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Aimee's Soapbox!
November 2005: The Mile Thirteen Epiphany
So there I am, scooting past the halfway point of the Chicago Marathon with a grin that started at my back teeth, and all I can think
is, "How cool is this?!"
Seriously.
I know a lot of non-runners have a hard time understanding why we run marathons. So it might sound funny to say that I was smiling and
thoroughly enjoying my 26.2 mile race. But I really was. I had a great time. And the idea for this month's column came to me right
around mile 13 or so.
Here's the background: I took a break from running in 2001 and got into a new sport. To be honest, I was a little burned out from running,
and I missed the team aspect of sports. So even though I still ran as part of my training for my new team sport, I didn't run any more races.
Fast forward to the 2005 Chicago Marathon: Now, I haven't done a marathon in about 4 years. But my good buddies were going, and they convinced
me to sign up. So I found myself becoming a runner again. I register, I train, I arrive in the Windy City.
And finally, the Mile Thirteen Epiphany: Trying new things is good. Cross-training is good. Having fun is good.
Now, maybe this all sounds obvious to you. But here's where I think I really hit on something. If you take the Epiphany and apply it
to your winter training, think how groovy you will feel come springtime. You will be refreshed and ready to tackle all those fun spring
races (as well as non-running springtime tasks).
OK, so here's how to apply the M.T.E. to your Winter Training Routine.
1. TRYING NEW THINGS IS GOOD. For me, running a marathon again was new. What would be new for you? One of my friends is taking a Pilates
class just to see if he can actually discover some hamstring flexibility. Or perhaps your new thing is non-sports related. Since it's wintertime,
it is the perfect opportunity to slow down, read some books, take the wife out dancing, sign up for a cooking class, or volunteer at Big
Brothers/Big Sisters. Do something that gets you out of your head. There is plenty of time to be hard on yourself and push yourself the rest
of the year. The break from hard training will actually improve your performances come next year.
2. CROSS-TRAINING IS GOOD. Winter is the best time to do those things you know you "should" do, like weight training and swimming and stretching.
There are less races this time of year, so you don't really have to focus on any immediate goals. And since you have this extra time, you can
focus on the areas that need improving. Are you always rolling your ankles? Then do some lower-leg strengthening. Are your muscles tighter than
Scrooge's purse strings? Then get thee to a yoga class! Too cold and dark to run? Then hop on the rowing machine and reaquaint yourself
with your upper-body muscles.
3. HAVING FUN IS GOOD. I ran Chicago in a pink skirt, pink shirt and pink shoes, with my hair in pigtails and Sir Mix-a-Lot on my MP3
player. Nothin' like hearing "Baby Got Back" at Mile 20 to ease the pain of the next six miles. I had a completely different attitude
toward this race, compared to other races. Like most runners, I can stress out with the best of them. I can beat myself up pretty good and
worry myself into a tightly-wound ball of anxiety if I miss a workout. But this time? I did no speedwork, I never touched a tempo run, and I
even skipped two of my scheduled long runs. Result? I still ran a respectable time AND I had the most enjoyable time of any race I have ever done.
Wintertime is a great time for you to shift your focus, or even downshift slightly. If you would be willing to shift your focus away from
your usual routine or away from stale training methods, I would be willing to bet that you will discover a fitter, fresher, healthier you come
springtime. Enjoy!
Coming up. . .
No idea. . . . hoping for inspiration to come before November 30th.
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