Pay attention

Just when you thought you had seen it all in distance running, another barrier is pushed back.  Alberto Salazar and his team Oregon Project just may make us rethink traditional training practices.  Over the last ten days, Galen Rupp, coached by Salazar, ran American indoor records in the 5000 meters (13:01.26) and 3000 meter (8:07).  He will make an attempt on the American (3:49.89) and world record (3:48.45) in the mile in two weeks time.  The kid is on fire.  

But the race was only half of the story.  Shortly after running a race at a pace normally used by vehicular traffic, camera crews filmed him doing another workout.  Rupp took about 15 minutes to enjoy the moment, sign autographs, and catch his breath, then he changed shoes and took to the track again.  This time by himself, he ran 5x one mile repeats, with about 3 minute recovery in between.  His paces were 4:21, 4:20, 4:20, 4:16, and, brace yourself, 4:01.  By himself. On an indoor track.  Shortly after setting the American record in the 3000.  He nearly threw down a sub-4 mile.  Now, I know the four minute barrier was broken long ago, but the group of people who belong to that group is still pretty exclusive, and the group that can run sub four alone in workouts is even smaller.  And then Coach Salazar casually mentions that Rupp hasn't even started his taper yet, but has done that all on tired legs.  I haven't studied a lot of elite training programs, but I can only imagine Rupp must be running an enormous load of miles to even attempt this kind of workout.

Maybe Rupp is a genetic gift to the sport of running who can handle an amazing work load. Maybe Salazar has tapped into some previously untried methods of training that are yielding great results. And maybe apprentice and master have just connected at the right time.  But whatever the case, Galen Rupp is showing the world that to beat him, they will have to outwork him, and that won't be easy.  

I don't know about you, but I think the future of American distance running is in good hands (or legs), for a while.  And I will definitely be watching that mile on February 15.

One last thing: the life lesson I see here is that if you want accomplish things no one else has done you have to be willing to work in a way no one else has ever worked.  

Priorities

About a month ago I had the chance to slow down for a bit.  My oldest boy landed in the hospital with a ruptured appendix, requiring about a week long hospital stay right before Christmas.  My husband and I quickly figured out that between staying with him and caring for the other kids, anything non-essential wouldn't get done, which meant no running for me. Suddenly something that consumes a fair amount of my time was sacrificed.  And surprisingly,  I was okay with it.  

Now maybe I needed a break anyway, and I'm sure I would have found time to run had his stay been much longer, but I was grateful for the chance to recognize that some things are still more important than others.  It was okay to take time off for my kid when he needed me. And now that things are back to normal (ish) I am running again with increased gratitude for the little things, like health, home, and  simple happiness. 

Happy running. Or happy time off. Either way, enjoy it while you can.

Road closed

Did you ever notice how a road closed for an event is like a cattle call for runners? Officials may as well put up a sign saying  "run here" as a barricade announcing road closures for a parade.

I was able to attend the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California,  this year on New Year's Day.  And what a way to ring in the new year.  But the interesting thing to me is that beginning about five a.m. when the roads are officially closed to traffic, the streets become full of runners. It was amazing.  People emerge from the sidelines, headed both directions up and down the parade route, with all different abilities, some costumed, many of whom camped out all night, everyone just running.  There is no official race, and while it would probably be a money-maker, it would ruin the freedom of the day. Instead, you pick the distance, pace, and starting line.  Some spectators notice and cheer, others ignore you completely, but there is a camaraderie among the runners.  Sometimes you have to weave in and out of other parade goers, but that just adds flavor to the event. There is something exhilirating about running the streets that are normally jammed with cars, but now only busy with foot traffic.  You become the fastest moving vehicle, and it is exciting.  

Try it sometime.  Next time you see the roads closed, go for a run and enjoy the freedom of being free to run somewhere that is typically off limits. Happy running.  

Sports Bras

One reason I love to write about running is because I get to address vitally important issues that could change the lives of my dear readers.  I mean, how can we survive without knowing the appropriate bumper stickers to display, or whether or not to wave at the person passing us.  

Today I would like to address another such critical issue: sports bras.  

One day in high school I found myself with some time to kill inside the school library, so naturally I began perusing books in the non-fiction section under running.  I picked up one book published near the start of the running boom in the 70s, which was full of helpful advice for the beginning runner.  One page was particularly enlightening to my teenage mind, which said that some women like to run in a bra, but suggested that it was not absolutely necessary.  (Okay, it wasn't just enlightening, it actually scarred my brain enough that it still troubles me to think that someone can walk into the library and pick up a book telling them that bras are optional.)

For any aspiring runners who have read that book or any from the same era, let me clarify:  unlike almost every other piece of clothing, the bra is no longer considered optional for female runners.  Please secure yourself.  Even shoes are considered optional these days, but sports bras, no matter how little they are actually needed, should be required. Trust me.  You (and everyone running with you) will thank me later.  

Happy running. 

Waving

Today I would like to resolve a matter that frequently perplexes runners: what to do when another runner waves at you.  The dilemma occurs when you are minding your own business headed down the road and you see an approaching runner.  You wonder what the proper greeting is, and might actually consider hiding in the bushes as an option rather than commit a fast moving faux pas.  Pretending to be interested in your watch could come off as rude, yet stopping for conversation will disrupt your groove, and extra breath used in greeting can be hard to come by if you are running hard anyway.  

So here are the guidelines to the secret, unwritten, rule of friendly runner etiquette.  

If someone waves at you: wave back.  Whether you know him for not, wave back.  Profoundly simple, yet tremendously helpful advice, I know.  But it doesn't cost you anything to wave, and you will be surprised at how refreshing it is to be connected to another runner.  Besides you never know if you will "run" into that person again and it could be helpful to see a familiar face.  No one will think you are a snob for waving, where you might look like one if you don't.  

If running in crowds of people, like a big city: don't wave unless you know the person. When I was running in London, no one made eye contact, so waving was out of the question.   This is a habit born  of sheer practicality, where if you waved at everyone you could spend your whole run just waving.  Skip the wave in a crowd.

Running loops: unless you are good friends with the person, you don't have to wave every time you pass someone on a loop. It would get a bit ridiculous to wave every time you passed someone running opposite directions on a track, for example.  Once is enough. 

Waving at cars: a friendly wave for the car that moves over to give you extra room on the side of the road is a great way to say thanks and hopefully spread goodwill for runners.  Just resist giving a one-fingered wave to the guy who actually moves closer to you or honks as he passes.  It won't help.  No matter how much he deserves it. 

If you see someone veer off the road and hide behind a tree: don't wave, whatever you do. Chances are nature is calling and the last thing they want is to be recognized at that moment.  Pretend you see nothing but the road ahead.  

When in doubt, wave.  Go ahead, give it a try.  Wave at those you pass.  It doesn't have to be a big arm-flapping wave, but you might be surprised how acknowledging your fellow humans brightens your day, and theirs.  

Happy waving. 

Ps lest you think I am crazy, this is a real issue to some people.  I have heard adults seriously contend one with another about it.  Silly, I know.  They should have just settled it with a race.