Sunday, December 16, 2012

Tara, 48 years old


How much do you run?
I am not running now, due to an injury.

How long have you been a runner?
3 years.

How did you start running?
I was dating a runner so I would use a treadmill at the gym sometimes. When we broke up,  my office was putting together a team for the Corporate Challenge. I channeled my energy into training for that event and found it was something I enjoyed and helped me make peace with the relationship ending.

Best running experience
Any race in which I'm not dead last for my age group. Seriously, last year's Brooklyn Half Marathon.  I belong to a running club. One of the faster members came along side me at mile 8, she was loosing her energy.  We helped each other get through the next few miles.  It felt so good to help a better runner and have her help me.  And what a blast it was running up the Coney Island Boardwalk and being greeted by clowns and jugglers at the finish line!

Unexpected benefit of running
I don't always go to my club's organized runs in Central Park.  But I have plenty of people to run with. Going to Central Park on the weekends means I'll bump into my friends and find someone to run with for part of the time. 

Until I became a runner, I didn't realize it is a social sport. I've done races and had wonderful conversations with strangers on the bus afterwards. We're all buzzed with that runner's high. It's like a more open version of having coffee. You're extra aware and extra open to the people around you. 

Running-induced crazy story
I've been in physical therapy for months now for an injury that has me in pain when I walk. I know I'll get past this and be able to run again although thinking and talking about running right now is pretty frustrating. I'm active and like to do other things but nothing takes the place of running so that is what is motiving me through my recovery. 

In some ways, running is the simplest sport but there is a lot of potential for injury. Since is it repetitive  if have an issue with your form, a particularly tight area, you increase your milage quickly-- these are magnified by the thousands of steps. 

Of course, all these things can be addressed but it takes time. To go from not being a runner for most of my life to being an injured runner is tough. 

Advice for new runners
Don't worry about your speed or distance.  Build slowly.  Don't be afraid to ask more experienced runners for pointers.  They love their sport and are happy to help newbies.  Enjoy your run!


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Raymond, 35 years old

How much do you run? 
Around 14 miles a week.  But I am going to try to bump that around 20 miles a week, adding another 5 - 7 mile run to my routine after the winter. 

How long have you been a runner? 
4 years.

How did you start running? 
I needed to loose weight and it seemed to be the fastest and most effective way to do it.  It's kind of hard to half-ass running. If you run from point A to point B you always have to go back to point A so it is easy to finish a run you start.

Best running experience
I love running in the very early morning where you can see the sun rise!  The blues and purples and everything waking up is just beautiful to me!

Unexpected benefit of running
It's a time to myself to kind of meditate and test the extremes of my body.

Running-induced crazy story 
Not sure what to discuss here. The black and blue toes and general pain I feel most days? What it was like running after hurricanes Irene and Sandy to see all kinds of odd debris on the East River run? I find it crazy that I would continue to run all these years or that I would ever allow my body to fall apart.  I am equally amazed by how easily mother nature can wreck havoc on our lives. I think of our city as powerful and strong so the effect of Sandy is that much more humbling.  These are both topics I often contemplate while running the East River, Central Park, or other parts of the world I've had the opportunity to run.

Advice for new runners 
Spend the money on the RIGHT shoes.  Take risks and continually challenge yourself. And lastly, every once and a while run with someone you know if faster than you to help push yourself just a little bit more.