Inspiration

One of the most challengling things about running, I think, is managing to keep oneself inspired throughout a long training season or, like most runners, through the ups and downs of fitting running into normal life. The workouts themselves are not the hard part. The hard part is getting out the door in the morning in the dark and cold or coming home after work and watching Oprah while lifting weights rather than while sitting one's ass.

There are various motivation methods for us running mortals: some people run with a training group; others sign up for nearly weekly races; still others have weight loss goals to work towards. I am still figuring out what works for me, even after ten years.

When I was in high school and college, belonging to a team and racing three seasons a year was enough for me. I had people counting on me to be at practice, and the coaches dictated our workouts. Post-school, just as in the "real world", those automatic motivators disappeared. Suddenly I was on my own without a plan.

I decided to run a marathon. "Okay," I thought, "I'll just throw myself into this," so I trained hard for six months and finished the race. After a year of directionless workouts I decided to run another marathon, this time with a more specific training plan. Ta-da. It was over. Then I decided to run a 50-mile race, which is what I'm training for now.

So now I must find a way to keep myself going until the race in September (and beyond), which brings me to my new discovery. There is apparently a summer track series in Richmond (duh). Track races for grown-ups - how cool! They meet once a week and hold relay events, and it's only $2. So starting in June, I might have to bust out a throw back 1000m or distance medley relay.