I am three weeks into my running journey, and here are some inevitable truths I have discovered about running and life:
- There’s a good feeling you get when you are done running, almost euphoric and calming in nature. I am told by those smarter than me that this is due to chemicals created during exercise called “endorphins.”
- I am also told that this euphoric feeling is also created by a glass (or two, but in moderation folks) of wine at the end of an evening.
- If you are like me, just starting out and still struggling with the concept of a “fun run” that runners always talk about, choose one that ends at a wine shop.
Tuesday, my running group and I took a field trip to Running Vines Winery in Chesterton for the Trail Mix Day Fun Run. Now, this next part isn’t truth, merely an opinion, but the promise of wine after a run is a great motivational tool, and does add to the potential allure of these so-called “fun runs” these runners keep telling me about.
The challenge of this run was two-fold for a beginner like myself. First, this was my first run outside of the group setting where I controlled the distance. Second, it was my first run of “week 3” in which my Couch-2-5K unicorn informed me also involves an extra six minutes of straight running.
Despite the new challenges laid before me, and the added humidity of a hot summer evening, today felt a little more different. First of all, I knew my girlfriend was coming and that the usual crew, who is always helpful in keeping me going, would be there. Second, I had this feeling in me that I hadn’t felt before; a competitive spark that had long since gone dormant since my high school days.
For the first time in a long time, I felt that beautiful need to kick butt again. I wanted to have my best day ever, and was determined to make it happen...and it could not have come on a better day, to be honest.
The first wave of the extra long run portion of my program went smoothly, and I think this internal motivation had a lot to do with it. However, by the time the second wave hit me the reality of running longer than I have in 10-plus years began to creep in.
During the second wave, though, I felt tired, sore, and little aches and pains, either real or created in my head, began to sneak in. I looked to my right, towards my girlfriend, and saw that she was getting hit by the same feelings I was.
I knew something had to be done. I knew I had to make her feel like we got this. So I looked to my girlfriend, patted her on the back and told her she was doing great and that we can do this. After all, just by taking on this challenge she was doing great, and I was doing great too, so why trick ourselves into thinking anything differently?
It’s funny how the mind works. One minute, you’re a minute into your longest continuous run and you’re knocking on death’s door, and the next you’re smiling, gliding down the beautiful streets of downtown Chesterton crushing your run.
That’s the power of positivity, as they say.
My girlfriend and I both finished of our runs that evening, and we did it through both of us providing the motivation to each other that we needed. Of course, the brief cameos of the other runners whizzing by us and telling us “great job, guys” helped as well, and the promise of chardonnay (which was amazing, by the way) at the end of this journey didn’t hurt either.
Thanks to the run group for another awesome step in the right direction, and thanks to Running Vines for helping teach me what a “fun run” was all about.