7 Things No One Told Me About Running
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When I started running a year and a half ago, I was still under a cloud of illusion that I could simply start running to clear my head. It seemed cheap, self-explanatory, and was something I could do in solitude. I’ve learned a whole lot in those 18 months, so here are just a few things that no one told me about running when I first started:
- It is expensive! From entry fees (if you are running for bling and beer, like me) to gear, I have easily spent $1,000 on running since I started in October 2012. Shoes need replacing every few hundred miles, and there’s nothing worse than having to hold up your pants while you run (which happened to me in my first 5k!)
- You can gain weight: especially if you’re a distance runner. The more I found myself running (miles or times per week, it didn’t matter), the more calories I was downing (and the more runger I was combatting.) I have found a happy medium now between running, eating, and cross-training to continue losing weight, but I never expected to gain weight while doing such high-intensity cardio.
- You will NOT look cute: see above collage for proof of this! I never had any illusions that I looked like Pamela Anderson on the beach as I huffed and puffed away on the treadmill, but I didn’t think I looked like a shapeless blob shuffling along race courses (until I saw the pictures from Rock ‘n Roll.)
- It’s addictive: the runner’s high is not a myth, people. Craig Finn, frontman of my favorite band, wrote a song on the newest record about it, and in an interview said “I’ve found a runner’s high to be one of the safest, cheapest, and most durable highs.” Coming from a band who built their persona around being a druggy bar band, I think that says something.
- It’s really hard not to become “that person” on Facebook. You know the ones – always talking about their long runs and posting intimidating “motivational” pictures every morning. I’m not really a braggy person (believe it or not) and that type of post doesn’t sit well with me. Most of my friends don’t care if I ran six miles before I came to work, so I save it for the blogs.
- You need to learn a new vocabulary. Yasso 800s, BQ, brick… these are things that pop up in every training program and on nearly every running blog. In October 2012, I couldn’t have told you what any of them meant (and I’m still not really sure what a fartlek is.)
- There’s a whole community of people who want to help you, teach you, and befriend you. As independent as running is, I never expected to find great friends like I have found. Anytime I have a question about running (or fitness in general,) I can hit up any number of Facebook groups, drop by #runchat, or tweet a general question for an instant reply. The support is incredible and there’s a whole host of resources literally at your fingertips.
Heehee. Thanks for the honesty!
I agree that it’s really hard not to be “that” person on Facebook or Twitter, especially when you are just so darn proud of yourself for accomplishing it! #yoncepower
That’s what we have each other for #YoncePower
I wish I would have known how expensive it is! I ran on a college team and when I started to enter road races, it was a rude awakening when I learned how expensive race entry fees are. But usually that feeling of crossing the finish line makes it worth it :). I love how supportive the running community is! I’m constantly learning new things from other runners and bloggers.
I interact with some of the runners at the school I work at and I totally get how they keep the blinders on regarding running costs since everything is provided for them! You’re right, when I get the medal I don’t care about any of that 🙂
One thing I didn’t expect was the continued love-hate relationship. It really never goes away…
I think the best piece of advice I ever received when I first started running was that not every run or race will be a good one.
That hit me like a ton of bricks but it also took some pressure off because I am very hard on myself in races. Your lists sounds just about right! Race photos are THE WORST…Gawd!!! I just hope I look better in motion than I do in the stop action pics…yuck!!!
Ooh, that’s a good one. I hate the idea of running until I’m actually doing it, and then afterwards I sink into it and love it again!
So true! I once found a “running dictionary” on runnersworld.com and read the whole thing so that I wouldn’t sound stupid talking to other runners. I actually enjoy fartleks, you should totally try them out! It’s funny to tell people you fartleked yesterday!
My family wouldn’t even know what to think if I said “fartlek.” They would take me to the hospital 😉
I guess that right now, I wish I knew the amount of craziness I would sustain. I seriously think that I’ve lost my mind, especially after signing up for a marathon. I’m pretty sure I said “Oh, I just want to be able to run a mile or two” when I first started. And yet… here I am!!!
I’ve been that person that’s like I “only” ran 3 miles yesterday, lame and forgot how that’s like a totally normal run for people who don’t start distance running. Its important to not downplay the small accomplishments though just because I’ve achieved bigger ones.
I’m that person too and my friends are like, “I can’t even believe three miles is nothing.” Funny how your mentality changes!