Coach Choo Track Club

Are you a runner?

1/15/2015

I was recently asked to speak at the GoRun awards social. GoRun is the Greenville Organization of Runners. We are composed of runners of all ages, shapes, sizes and speeds! Many of the runners tend to look at me a little differently since I run fairly fast, some are a little intimidated. What most don't realize is that they share many of the same experiences as I do (and vice-versa!) So here is the talk I presented to the group was:

Are you a runner? Yes, anyone who runs is a runner, you don’t have to be fast, you don’t have to run a marathon to be a runner. Anyone who gets out and runs is a runner! While we may move at different speeds or cover different distances we still share the same experiences.

The joy of running 1 mile for the first time without stopping, or 3 miles or 10 miles!
The excitement of running a personal best, of finishing a race
The struggle of trying to get out the door when you are tired, or not wanting to get up early to workout
The challenge of balancing life, work, family, commitments while still finding time to carve out that little bit of time for yourself.
Trying to find motivation when you have none.
The solitude of going for a run by yourself, and the feeling of belonging when you join up with friends for a run
The challenge of resisting that piece of cake or scoop of ice cream because you know you have worked hard to lose a couple of pounds
The frustration of going for the run and your legs feel like they are made of bricks
The challenge of getting out the door
The joy of new running shoes
The runner’s high (and the runner’s low)
The frustration of an injury
Freezing your butt off in the winter at the start of a run, then realizing you wore too much clothing!
Cursing the heat and humidity of Eastern NC
The intimidation of being around someone we know is considerable faster
Worrying about that dog running out of a yard trying to chase you down!

We are all the same, we all go through these challenges. Conquering them is what brings us the joy. It is the journey as much as it is the destination. By going through this we discover something about ourselves, we learn we can do it, that we can overcome.

We all have different motivations for running, different goals. But I think in all of us there is something that we all have in common. It is a drive to prove something to ourselves, and maybe the desire to have people looks at us like we are nuts!

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Look at your running from a different angle

1/2/2015

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Tired of running the same running routes over and over again? It can be a mental pain to run the same streets that you have run a thousand times before, but often we are limited by where we live. Every year I try to change up the running routes in my neighborhood and find it gives me a mental boost. Just a few small changes can make a difference and provide a lift, making your runs more fun, here are a few to try:

For a change of pace try reconfiguring your routes.
Run down those streets you don't normally run.
Establish new distances instead of running the distances you normally run.
Explore new neighborhoods
Run your routes in reverse
Find a trail or a park to run

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Happy New Year

1/1/2015

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The new year always brings the opportunity for a new start, so take advantage of it. Set a realistic goal, set about attaining it in January, and you will reap benefits in February and March! Here are some examples:

Pick a race to train for. A half or a marathon are good choices because they require you to put in lots of mileage, which will benefit your running in many ways.
Start a streak of running every single day. Even if you do not make the entire year, you will likely get several weeks in which will get you in really good shape!
Find a running friend (or group of friends) who can help keep you accountable, plan to run with them once a week.Share with them your goals, and challenge them to set goals.
Add variety to your training. Decide to include core work 2-3 times a week, or weight training, or even biking.

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Are you a runner?

Look at your running from a different angle

Happy New Year

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