So as you know I've been reading more running books, and since reading a particular book my whole perception of running has completely changed. Before I introduce the infamous book let me give you a brief background on the books I have been reading so far. I've been training for the half marathon and in preparation I have been reading running, tips, memoirs, how-to-guides and in this search I have read many running journeys, to which I am very grateful for, I have learnt so much about the struggle many people have gone through, making me feel a part of a community in some sense as I can relate to some of these struggles.
Recently I read a book titled Run Wild, I had no idea it would be so different from the running books I have read. He spoke of running free, surrounded by nature, and he made me think about the purpose of running. What is running for you if it limits and confines you by times/distances? At first I thought well, it disciplines you, I suppose, and if I'm being really honest, it's so you can say you have run a marathon, right?
I realised some of my training was becoming dull and repetitive, sometimes running would make me sad and that was not like running! Not like running at all! Running changed my life for the better, not for the worse. And trust me when I say it's in sickness and in health, I don't plan on giving running up, no way. But what Boff (the author) was saying, was very true. I love adventure and freedom, and all these times/distances were making running less fun. The other week inspired by his words, I ran to another area (as I mentioned previously) and it was amazing, way better than my boring runs running laps and I felt more in control, I mean it might've been a case of varying my runs but I didn't think it was that, I was feeling the runs, I was running for the sake of running. I have no desire to run marathons anymore, if i'm honest I don't really like running alongside people anyway! (anti-social me)
When I am by myself, I am not self-conscious and I enjoy the independence of running alone. Also I've been thinking about it, and initially when I started running I had a goal to run 26.2 miles but now I think why? WHY 26.2? Because its an achievement to run that far? Because I get a medal? What is the reason for those miles? If I do decide to run 26.2 miles it'll be my own marathon, not organised, wild, free. It's actually not natural to run that far, that's what I have heard anyway. Plus pounding pavements/tarmac is not good for the knees, running on grass and in nature is better apparently. That's the opinion Boff holds, and I agree with him. Unfortunately I am not surrounded by rural nature to run Wild, so I can only use the main roads and parks.
One thing that Boff influenced in my running was using music. I used to listen to music while running and eventually I wanted to wean myself off, however it was hard as it gets addictive, mainly being because it can motivate you; the beats and the lyrics. However since reading Run Wild, I have been successfully running without it. And I have been trying to appreciate the beauty of the world while running, it also helps me to monitor my breathing better and be aware of my surroundings. And now when I try and use music, I don't enjoy it, it just feels like noise.
I wont give up running, not if I can help it, it has helped me so much. To be more, to be better and I am not about to go through a running block, like I have read about so much. I can see why people would go through times when they don't want to run, especially if its not fun anymore, and its just training. Now I enjoy running to new places, my next goal is to run to a dock so I can see the beautiful rivers, I want my running to be like an adventure, exploring and discovering.
I have actually read a book that is the total opposite of Run Wild, it's titled, Keep On Running and it is about a man who has run numerous marathons, and is a bit of a marathon addict. I can appreciate some people like marathons, they like the order and the lines, but I don't think I do, not anymore.
Here's to adventure! Let's keep looking for adventures!
Recently I read a book titled Run Wild, I had no idea it would be so different from the running books I have read. He spoke of running free, surrounded by nature, and he made me think about the purpose of running. What is running for you if it limits and confines you by times/distances? At first I thought well, it disciplines you, I suppose, and if I'm being really honest, it's so you can say you have run a marathon, right?
When I am by myself, I am not self-conscious and I enjoy the independence of running alone. Also I've been thinking about it, and initially when I started running I had a goal to run 26.2 miles but now I think why? WHY 26.2? Because its an achievement to run that far? Because I get a medal? What is the reason for those miles? If I do decide to run 26.2 miles it'll be my own marathon, not organised, wild, free. It's actually not natural to run that far, that's what I have heard anyway. Plus pounding pavements/tarmac is not good for the knees, running on grass and in nature is better apparently. That's the opinion Boff holds, and I agree with him. Unfortunately I am not surrounded by rural nature to run Wild, so I can only use the main roads and parks.
One thing that Boff influenced in my running was using music. I used to listen to music while running and eventually I wanted to wean myself off, however it was hard as it gets addictive, mainly being because it can motivate you; the beats and the lyrics. However since reading Run Wild, I have been successfully running without it. And I have been trying to appreciate the beauty of the world while running, it also helps me to monitor my breathing better and be aware of my surroundings. And now when I try and use music, I don't enjoy it, it just feels like noise.
I wont give up running, not if I can help it, it has helped me so much. To be more, to be better and I am not about to go through a running block, like I have read about so much. I can see why people would go through times when they don't want to run, especially if its not fun anymore, and its just training. Now I enjoy running to new places, my next goal is to run to a dock so I can see the beautiful rivers, I want my running to be like an adventure, exploring and discovering.
I have actually read a book that is the total opposite of Run Wild, it's titled, Keep On Running and it is about a man who has run numerous marathons, and is a bit of a marathon addict. I can appreciate some people like marathons, they like the order and the lines, but I don't think I do, not anymore.
Here's to adventure! Let's keep looking for adventures!
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