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!

focus on fun

passion for running category: running on Monday, March 27 2006

I’ve pretty much gotten my life back after an insane few weeks at work (it’s been budget time at the Government of Alberta) and the last couple months renovations so…

As much of the RBF knows, or eventually discovers, having goals around one’s running can really give a person a super motivational boost and provide terrific focus for a fitness routine.

Frankly, I’m a bit sketchy right now around my goals. I have one goal – to become consistent and get my mileage up. I set that goal prior to the renovation so, welcome to try #2.

Other than that, I’ve got nothin’. I’ve been kicking stuff around in my thick skull but nothing’s really jumping out at me.

Train for a marathon? Meh. I think I’m still a bit burnt out from those for the moment. I trained hard for (what was it?) three or four years for a half dozen marathons and, while it was a terrific ride, I am enjoying the break from the committment it takes to train for marathons.

How about a triathlon? Meh. Yeah, I think it would be fun but, I just don’t…feel the itch. Some day for sure but not just yet.

As I think about it, I think my goal really is just to focus on running enjoyment. The past year or so was tough with the last marathon ending in injury, the long road to recovery and then learning the Pose Method.

Maybe I just need to reconnect to running and then the goals will come – the fire within will come – the urge to race and push myself will come. Maybe. I admit to a small part of me wanting to see how I do with racing since adopting the pose method as my running form. For now, all I know is I’m enjoying the break.

That said, today was lovely. It was beautiful outside and I ran a slow 40 minutes wearing my heart rate monitor for the first time in God knows how long. So, what did Gretchen tell me? That I’m outta shape! That’s ok. I’ll get there.

So, my goals are simply to get in shape and (at all costs!) have some fun doing it.

How about you? Are you having fun?




8 Comments

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Comment by Pamalamadingdong

Monday March 27, 2006 @

I hear you..although I haven’t done 6 marathons I have totally lost my running mojo.

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Comment by Karen in Calgary

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

Having fun while running consistently is a very admirable goal. Running consistently involves starting over and over and over and over and… you get the idea. Don’t obsess over progress or wondering where your fitness went – just get out there one run at a time.

And you could make it a goal to Have Fun at a Race. Pick any old race – make it close to home and one of those small events run by a local club. Don’t wear Gretchen, don’t wear a watch, and line up at the back. You won’t stay at the back, but it’s a fun place to start – try it.

Lastly, what’s helped my consistency the MOST has been showing up with a group once a week. My family expects me to disappear on most Tuesday nights, and I skip a lot less runs when I realize I still want to keep up on Tuesdays.

Yeah yeah, shoulda written my own post and pinged you back, but I’m busy catching up from my weekend :)

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Comment by beverly

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

It’s always good to pause and focus on fun … that’s what four years of university taught us, right!?

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Comment by bebop0

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

Reading this all reminds me of a spirited sole in Oregon who’s in a few years pretty much established a run/climb speed sport on the big peaks. He Dan Howitt has the current and Official speed records on all peaks out there like Rainier, Shasta, Adams, Hood, the biggies. Broke Everest summiter (first US citizen on Everest summit) Howitt broke his 1959 Rainier record 5:20min with 4:59:01 timed by Climb Max Mountaineering people. Whittaker had the first Ranier official time in history, Dan the second official time in history.

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Comment by Deene

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

You’ve been busy with a different kind of cross training. Gretchen must be tickled to be dusted off. :)

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Comment by Dianna (running chick)

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

just enjoy your running moments and all the rest will fall in to place…it always does. =)

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Comment by Dawn (aka Pink Lady)

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

You could always train for a fun run like ummm the 10k in Calgary, same weekend as Karen & I run the full. They have a full, half, & a 10k. There’s even a kids race. July 9th.

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Comment by Rob

Tuesday March 28, 2006 @

I’ve decided to set a new goal – improving my form. You’re always mentioning how important it is – well I had a race Saturday and decided to “sprint” to the finish line and afterwards my knees really hurt. I have a pic up on my website that a friend of mine snapped as I was approaching the finish line and it’s pretty obvious why I was hurting. My new goal is to NEVER run with that bad form and that much heel striking again!

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