Sunday, January 16, 2011

Running...my "ahhhh moment"

I've been struggling with IT Band pain in both of my knees for the past 2 weeks. This past week I promised myself that I wouldn't run at all - only cross training. I had a race coming up on Saturday and I didn't want to aggravate my knee and hip pain before it. So all week long, I've been doing circuit workouts and using the Elliptical Machine - it's just not the same as running.

Finally it was Saturday - race day. I was nervous that I would tweak my knee at mile 1 and have to walk the rest of the race. BUT... wonder of wonders - I was able to run the whole race without any IT Band pain and I even WON! That's right - 1st place female overall and 2nd place overall - my husband beat me - that stinker.

The entire race was euphoric. I had missed running so much this week. I just didn't feel like myself without it. Running yesterday made me feel alive and normal again. So in light of that I thought I'd share a few of my favorite quotes or thoughts about running. Enjoy!


"Running: the purest form of athletic expression, the simplest, least encumbered sport there is and it it the definitive measure of raw stamina." - Dean Karnazes

"Running clarifies the thinking process, as well as purifies the body. I think best - most broadly and most fully when I am running." - Amby Burfoot

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves." - Sir Roger Bannister

"I'm not sure I can describe what has been called the 'runner's high' but like poetry and beauty, I know it when I experience it." - Matthew Shafner

"Women say, they just want to finish...Women do not say to each other: 'I'm here to win, to kick your butt and break the course record." - Rachel Toor

"The obsession with running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life." - George Sheehan

"Running has taken me in and continues to comfort, heal and challenge me in all kinds of magical ways. I am not a 'good runner' because I am me. I am a good 'me' because I am a runner." - Kristin Armstrong

2 comments:

  1. Love this post! Non-runners just don't understand! By the way, I gave you an award on my blog!
    http://runningbetweenthelines.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-got-award.html

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  2. No, they really don't. Have you read "Personal Record" by Rachel Toor. It's about her love affair with running. I wanted to highlight the entire book. I'm planning to write a review of it in a later blog. Check it out if you haven't. Thanks for the award! I'll pass it on etc. tomorrow when I have time. I've enjoyed reading your blog as well!

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