You know how people sometimes describe faults that are really virtues in disguise? (“My biggest fault is that I’m too loyal. I can’t help it; it’s just the way I am.”) This isn’t one of those lists. Here are five things I sincerely wish I could change about my running habits.
1. I never stretch. Not because of any research showing the possibility of increased injuries from stretching but because I am just too damned lazy. After a run, I usually sit down. I chalk up the fact that I’m still mobile to my habit of incorporating walk breaks into my running.
2. I’m too slow. It’s not that I don’t want to complete my runs in less time. It’s just that I can’t seem to bring myself to run faster in order to do it. Most of my training is aimed at increasing my stamina. I find fartlek and tempo runs taxing and I whenever I set out to do them, I just kind of wimp out and run the same pace that I always do.
3. My iPod selections don’t pump me up. It’s not uncommon for me to while away a 60-minute run listening to the podcast edition of “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”, a news quiz show. I doubt very many people have gotten a runner’s high from listening to National Public Radio.
4. I don’t drink enough water. If I could crave it like I do salt, fat, sugar and alcohol, life would be so much better.
5. I skip runs. Without excuse. Too often.
Just so you don’t worry about my self-esteem, I’ll post a list shortly of why I think I’m a good runner. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what other runners feel are their biggest running struggles. C’mon … confession is good for the soul.
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