A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who’s beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

relief

passion for running category: pose running method,running on Thursday, May 26 2005

Work is still really stressful but I realized something today. Apparently, if I fit a run into a day, I can manage my stress much better…

duh!

Of course, this is something I know all to well but I’m always struck by how much better I can feel after a run – even a short 2.5 mile run like today’s. I was uber-stressed by the time I left work today, and 30 minutes later was pretty much a new man.

Endorphins? Oxygenation? Psychological? I don’t really care because all I know is I’ve had some relief and that’s definitely a good thing, Martha.
——————
Stress relief aside, today’s run really rocked. The pose method and running barefoot are making my feet strong and running on the balls of my feet feels more and more natural with each run.

Dr. Romanov stresses how the elasticity of a muscle is much more important than it’s size and strength. So, what’s elasticity? Well, as I’m coming to understand it, it’s the “springiness factor” – or how quickly and effortlessly one’s muscles bounce back to their natural state after being compressed…or is that stretched?. At any rate, in running, elasticity translates into how light you are on your feet, or how short a time you spend on the ground.

Before I began my trip down posie lane (that’s for my chi-a pet friend Jon) and barefoot avenue I ran like an elephant. I ran with heavy, trudging steps. Now, and with each successive run, I feel lighter and quicker on my feet.

It’s all about attaining correct form, practicing form and gaining endurance in form. Why the hell didn’t someone tell me about all this 10 years ago? I bet if someone had, I’d be kicking Chelle, Adeel and Alison’s butts all over the pavement. Right? Thought so. Thanks for agreeing. ;)

I’m getting excited about running again and I really want to do a 5k in the fall – maybe even as soon as August. I think I’ll go check out some race calendars.

P.S. Thanks everyone for your uplifting comments. I love you man. No, I really love you. (think Wayne’s World).




6 Comments

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Comment by Mia

Thursday May 26, 2005 @

You know, there’s a new Nike commercial right now in the US. It’s for these shoes, but the guy’s running barefoot across the beach, chariots of fire playing in the background, when he’s suddenly brought back to reality by a bus grinding across his path. Turns out he was running on the sidewalk in the city with his fancy red Nikes, but it *felt* like he was running barefoot on the beach. See? The tagline is “Run Barefoot” and I think of you every time I see it. That’s all!

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Comment by Dawn (aka Pink Lady)

Thursday May 26, 2005 @

Work sucks! Sorry to hear it’s getting to you. Have you bought a lottery ticket? :-)

A run is a good way to relieve work or any kind of stress. However sometimes when work sucks the best thing to do is forget about the part that sucks and think about what you get from having a crappy job. Try to turn it around, not always an easy thing to do. But gov job usually pays not bad which means you get to afford a comfortable lifestyle. It usually means reasonable hours so you have time for family and of course running. Now depending on if you are in the union or management it may also mean perks or benefits like lots of vacation time where you can get away and forget that it sucks to be there.

I did 8 years with gov in BC. Some good and some bad. And when finally offered a way out I took it. Tis how I ended up in Calgary and that seems to have been a wise move.
And most of all as my hubbys says when you leave the office leave all that crap there, no need to take it home and stew about it just let it all go.

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Comment by Lori

Friday May 27, 2005 @

You should see Mark’s feet. They are in better condition than mine even though I give myself pedicures. Maybe the barefoot thing isn’t such a freek thing??

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Comment by Mark

Friday May 27, 2005 @

Thanks Mia, Dawn and wifey!

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Comment by Richard

Friday May 27, 2005 @

Yup, form is king when it comes to running. Of course, we may disagree somewhat on what the correct form might be, but I think we both agree that if you get your form down pat everything else will follow!

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Comment by chelle

Tuesday May 31, 2005 @

Ooh, I didn’t realize that I’d gotten a personal mention. I’ll have to look into this ‘pose’ thing before you go and catch me. Though, the last time I tried to change my running form, I ended up with sciatica.

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