I Am A Runner

Hannah at a Cross Country Meet in Fall 2010

Yesterday morning, I ran 4 miles on the Perkiomen Trail.  There wasn’t anything majorly significant about this early morning run.  I didn’t feel real fast; in fact, I felt kind of slow as I plodded along.

It was amusing to me that someone from my company called me yesterday afternoon to seek advice about running this year’s Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon (it used to be called the Philadelphia Distance Run).  It just makes me laugh that people would look to me for advice about running.  I have run this race four or five times, but’s it’s been several years since I last ran it.  I’ve completed two marathons, and two or three Broad Street 10 Milers.  I can’t tell you how many 5Ks that I’ve run over the years.  Nonetheless, I don’t consider myself an expert.  I’m slow and bigger than most long distance runners (that’s a nice way to say that I carry a little more weight than most if not all decent distance runners).

So what did I tell him?

1)  Get into a training program.  Whether it’s a runner’s group at the YMCA or like Team in Training or it’s simply an on-line or written plan like one from Hal Higdon, I think these programs can help keep one focused on doing the right mileage and exercise and rest to prepare for a longer race.  I used a modified Hal Higdon plan when I prepared for both of my marathons.  As a numbers guy, I created spreadsheets to help track by progress through my training.  I tracked distance and time, and I tracked details about each of my runs and workouts about how I felt, where I ran, and what the weather was like.  It was amazing to watch my mileage build up from week to week.

2)  Get some accountability through a runner’s group or a friend who’s at your level.  I found a friend to train with for many of my shorter runs, and I asked several people to ride their bike alongside me for a few of my longer runs.  They carried my water and gel packs, but they also provided conversation to distract me when the mileage was getting the best of me.

3)  Cross train and rest.  These are important to build your strength and cardio capacity without overdoing it.  I liked to ride my bike as one of my cross training activities, and I would recommend swimming and lifting as great cross training activities.  I looked forward to my scheduled rest days.  These gave me a chance to recharge.  These are just as important as the exercise days.

4)  Practice hydration and fueling on your longer runs.  I ran with a belt with four water bottles.  I filled one or two of the bottles with an energy drink like Accelerade.  Practicing eating a gel shot or energy bar in the middle of your longer runs.  Find out what works for you and your stomach.  I learned that certain gel packs don’t work with my stomach.  It’s best to learn this lesson while training and not during your race.

5)  Set goals.  A first goal would be to make it through your training and to the starting line of the race.  Next, your goal should be to finish the race.  Then, you can start adding time related goals – overall finish time, negative splits, etc.  Finally, you might want to add a stretch goal that you can go after if you’re really feeling good.

6)  Have fun.  The running community is great – before, during, and after the race.  Talk to other runners.  Find out what works for them.  Ask them about their favorite races.  Cherish each moment.

For not being a running expert, I guess I have a lot to say.

Are you a runner?  What tips would you add to this list?

Clearing the Bases by Mike Schmidt

I’m a big sports fan.  My favorite teams are the Eagles, the Bears, the Cubs, the Phillies, and the Bulls (I guess I’d throw the Flyers in there as my hockey team).  My favorite players of all time are probably Walter Payton (football), Julius Erving and Michael Jordan (basketball), and Mike Schmidt (baseball).  So when Leanne gave me Clearing the Bases by Mike Schmidt as part of my birthday gift, I was clearly looking forward to hearing what Michael Jack Schmidt had to say about his playing career and about his thoughts about the current state of the game of baseball.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Schmidt talks about the ups and downs of his playing days from his insecurities to his 3 MVPs and World Series Championship.   Schmidt also shares about his feelings about the Steroid area, free agency, and Pete Rose.  (The book was written in 2006, so I would be curious to know if Schmidt’s views on the Steroid era have changed as more information has been disclosed since then.)  It was interesting to get his perspectives and each of these, but this wasn’t my biggest takeaway.

I was first of all surprised by Schmidt’s expression of his faith.  Growing up, I can’t remember hearing anything about his faith, so it was refreshing to hear this.  I’d love to sit down over a cup of coffee or lunch with the legend and talk more about our common bond.

The other thing that had a big impact on me was Schmidt’s discussion about managing.  Obviously, he was talking about managing baseball, but one paragraph in particular spoke to me as a manager and leader:

“The sixth and most important attribute of a good manager – and this one’s a straight fastball right down the middle – is the ability to communicate.  To be a good manager, you must be a good communicator.  That means being able to talk to your players, not at them.  You need to work at relating to them, but at the same time, you need to keep a respectful distance.  Show you care about them personally. You can’t just stroll out of your office into the clubhouse one day a week and fake it; you have to have a consistent presence.”

I’ll be hanging this one up in my office.

If you’re a baseball plan, I’d recommend this book.

2nd Chances

If you needed another example to show that God is the God of second chances, you should have been watching Monday night’s All-Star game Home Run Derby at Yankees Stadium. The last batter of the first round was Texas Rangers RBI leader Josh Hamilton. Josh has an interesting story to tell. He appeared to have it all going when he was drafted number one by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays a few years ago. With a number one draft choice usually comes a nice contract and signing bonus. Well, Josh quickly disappeared from the baseball seen when his addictions to alcohol, heroine, and other drugs took over. He literally was gone from baseball for three years. Typically, this would spell the end to any one’s professional sports career. Interestingly enough, it didn’t mean the end for Josh. Somewhere along the road, he connected with God. He found accountability, and he cleaned up his life. And Monday night, Josh was the star of the Home Run Derby after he nailed 28 home runs in the first round.

Now, I’m not saying that God’s going to turn you into a star baseball player if you follow Him. However, I’m convinced that there is nothing you could ever do that would make God love you less. If you’re far from Him, He’s still there for you.