Crazy Train

Last Year's playlist:


Ever since I was a young lad I had this idea in my head that “people who ran are crazy”.
People who run aren’t all there, upstairs.
I was an active child, I played sports, sports that required running (football, basketball).
We always played at the part after school, we hiked the hills, ect…
Now running around and just plain running are different. Running up and down the court or field is different. Even ay times when I’ve been in the best shape of my life I could play basketball for hours on end. But in the scenario if the court was taken I’d run on the treadmill. I could maybe make it a mile, maybe mile and a half. My legs, knees, ankles and feet just couldn’t take it. My lungs struggled.
I couldn’t understand, why I could play basketball 2 days earlier for 3 hours, but I can’t run for 10 minutes?
I’d see these people running early in the morning or late at night. Sometimes close to traffic when no trails or sidewalks are available. I’d see these people, some of which I knew and thought were normal and ask, “Why do they do that? That’s so dumb, whats the point? Your not scoring any points, your not winning anything, your just running.
May 2009 it was brought to my attention a Memorial 5k run for a family friend who passed away a year earlier while running, practicing for a marathon. A couple family members were going to participate and encouraged me to do so.
I thought yeah that’s an awesome cause, what a cool thing to do to honor that man, but I can’t run, especially a 5k (3.2 miles). I was out of shape, hadn’t really exercised in years, a little over weight too.
But I was nudged. What could it hurt? I had 5 weeks to prepare. I kept making reasons why I couldn’t do this, no excuse, just reasons. Not enuff time, too slow, too fat, no time to practice running, can’t go very far, my legs hurt too bad, I don’t know how to run, ect…So much goes into it that I had no idea about. Breathing, pace, and some other stuff.
About 5 days before the race I was finally able to make it the 3 miles without stopping. It was slow, awkward and tuff, but I made it. About 35 minutes it took me.
Race day watching everyone there running was something. I made it in 29 minutes. It was cool to make it without stopping, cool to get that time, of course that time stinks, but at the time I didn’t know it. Afterwards I thought maybe I can keep this up, help me get in shape, use this as a kick off/starting point.
A month later a was encouraged to do another 5k, Pleasant Grove strawberry days. I said ok, training was a little easier, a little. Running was still hard for me. But I did it, felt good, pushed a little hard cuz I wanted to catch others. Made it in 24:55. I never thought I could post that good of improvement. Paid the price though. Hurt my calf, not sure is I tore or strained a muscle, surprised I had any in there. Couple weeks later back went out. Couldn’t run anymore. August came and passed thru a town with celebrations going on with a 5k included. So I decided to do it, see if I could. Practiced a few times, it was tough. Raced, posted 28 minutes. Felt pretty bad. Couple weeks later our church ward did a 5k, did it, posted 27 minutes. Improvement.
Another race in PG was coming up, decided to do it. Did a little better on the eating, training, lost a couple pounds, posted a 24.35.
That was the end of the running for the year. Tried running a couple times to stay in shape, but it just wasn’t there.
Cold weather, darkness started, so I decided to call it quits for the season. Packed back on the pounds I lost and the slow pace.
Anyways, call the men in white coats cuz I’m gonna do it all over again, plus some.
Last year I did 4 registered 5k’s and 1 “just for fun”.
This year my goal is to do those same 4, plus 4 more and 1 half marathon. Its with hard to go jogging with the cold and the darkness. Only went a couple times so far this year. Started playing basketball on Tuesday's Saturday's when I can, that will help with the aerobic side a little bit.. I’m hoping to do a 5k in March “leprechaun run” in SLC, one in April in West Jordan in order to prepare myself better for The 2nd annual Memorial 5k. I’m hoping I can post a 25 minute or better on that one. In September the Beethoven I’m hoping for a 22 minute.
I’m hoping for weight loss, endurance and beating people.
Its still crazy, it doesn’t get much easier, but when you get results it helps. Theres also something else to it, just like all sports its an escape. Theres an advertisement from a movie that goes a little like this:
"You don't stand in front of a mirror before a run and wonder what the road will think of your outfit. You don't have to listen to its jokes and pretend they're funny in order to run on it. It would not be easier to run if you dressed sexier. The road does not care how old you are. You do not feel uncomfortable because you make more money than the road. And you can call on the road, whenever you feel like it, whether it has been a day, or even a couple of hours since your last date. The only thing the road cares about is that you pay it a visit once in a while. No games, just sports."
It's still crazy,runners are a few sandwhichs short of a picnic. But I can see where they are comming from now. For the 30 minutes or so while I'm out there on the road I'm not worried about the kids, or the job, or the hustle & bustle of life. I'm only worried about not stepping in poo, regulating my breathing, adjusting my pace, adjusting my playlist, stuff like that. Its the only thing close to alone time I can get really. Even tho its not fun, its an escape of a sorts I guess.
I've got a pretty sweet playlist for this year so far. Come March we'll see how it compares, its a little more kick @$$ then the last one, Thanks Sick Puppies!