65 uneventful hot minutes in India this morning.
20 minutes of arm weights.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Look!
What exactly does it mean to "look" like a runner. How does one "look" like something anyway? Every few months someone will say something to me or someone I know that makes me ponder this question. Isnt that just stereotyping? By that logic, if someone "looks" like a runner, it follows that someone "looks" like a car thief or a racist, etc etc. I have never once felt complimented when someone has said that to me. As a chubby teenager I have been 30-50-60lbs heavier than I am now, I have been 20lbs lighter than I am now - how has it mattered? The one constant that I have had since I started running almost 10 years ago, is that I am strong and my body simply adapted to the sport. Functional exercise does this to you.
The point is that runners come in all shapes and sizes and skin colors and is the greatest equalizer. Sport is an equalizer actually. I feel very protective when I see young girls damaging themselves to "look" like something or someone else. Instead of just being runners and running and letting our natural body shape follow, and eating to support our training, the numbers on a scale or the lack thereof become the focus. It is so sad.
To be in tune with your body day in and day out, no matter what it looks like, reminds you what an amazing machine it is. This vehicle lets me run hundreds and thousands of miles. This body will let me run up 10 flights of stairs with ease, and chase my kids around when they happen. It is my peace, my bliss and it has the additional benefit of being good for me physically, mentally and emotionally. Stereotyping or fitting into a stereotype serves no purpose other than to diminish. I dont ever ever want to pursue a "look" instead of the actual "being" part. This should be celebrated in ourselves and in others.
Be your bliss. And occassionally when someone makes a stupid comment about "looking" or "not looking" like something, close your eyes, take a deep breath and remember that it is the sweat and tears and miles that make you a runner. A runner looks like me or anyone who laces their shoes and gets out there and simply...runs...no matter what.
Aaaaand my miles - 9miles this morning in 80-ish minutes. SO HOT!! Going for another 3 this pm.
The point is that runners come in all shapes and sizes and skin colors and is the greatest equalizer. Sport is an equalizer actually. I feel very protective when I see young girls damaging themselves to "look" like something or someone else. Instead of just being runners and running and letting our natural body shape follow, and eating to support our training, the numbers on a scale or the lack thereof become the focus. It is so sad.
To be in tune with your body day in and day out, no matter what it looks like, reminds you what an amazing machine it is. This vehicle lets me run hundreds and thousands of miles. This body will let me run up 10 flights of stairs with ease, and chase my kids around when they happen. It is my peace, my bliss and it has the additional benefit of being good for me physically, mentally and emotionally. Stereotyping or fitting into a stereotype serves no purpose other than to diminish. I dont ever ever want to pursue a "look" instead of the actual "being" part. This should be celebrated in ourselves and in others.
Be your bliss. And occassionally when someone makes a stupid comment about "looking" or "not looking" like something, close your eyes, take a deep breath and remember that it is the sweat and tears and miles that make you a runner. A runner looks like me or anyone who laces their shoes and gets out there and simply...runs...no matter what.
Aaaaand my miles - 9miles this morning in 80-ish minutes. SO HOT!! Going for another 3 this pm.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
This is HOT!!
North India is unforgiving. The terrain I run every morning is uneven, dirty and probably not very safe (or so I'm told). Since it is well and truly summer here, it is also very dusty. This weather forces you to smell the earth. The sun isnt quite out when I take off and one can almost hear an echo - strange, because I am also surrounded by very tall buildings. It takes me 15 minutes to settle into a comfortable stride. The first mile is rarely easy. I also am very relaxed when I begin. When the breath settles, and your tongue is comfortable in your mouth and your arms nest against your core - your heart takes over. I run till I can run no more and if it hurts, I run some more. Its hot, its dusty and lately, it has also been very windy. People rarely bother me here, I have seen far worse - mostly just curious stares.
Yesterday was so gross - a frustrating 90 minute "run" (shuffling). Today was so much better - I finished 12k in 57 minutes and stood by the sprinklers for some welcome water on my head!! 20 minutes of weights. I am so proud that I make it to the gym for a whole 20 minutes twice a week nowadays - I am also the grumpiest member and I dont think people here are used to seeing a girl coming in soaked in sweat - I think they think I'm homeless and leave me alone, or think I stink and leave me alone. Its win win!
Yesterday was so gross - a frustrating 90 minute "run" (shuffling). Today was so much better - I finished 12k in 57 minutes and stood by the sprinklers for some welcome water on my head!! 20 minutes of weights. I am so proud that I make it to the gym for a whole 20 minutes twice a week nowadays - I am also the grumpiest member and I dont think people here are used to seeing a girl coming in soaked in sweat - I think they think I'm homeless and leave me alone, or think I stink and leave me alone. Its win win!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
I forgot to blog my run yesterday: 15 minutes of running barefoot on grass, 15 minutes of jumping rope, 15 minutes of the elliptical, 15 minutes of stairs and 25 minutes of weights. This was at 7am. I logged in another 3.5 mile run in 26 something minutes at noon again. I was also out of running clothes and socks for my pm miles so this is what I did - ran without socks (and did not get a blister!!) and wore a t-shirt 2 sizes too big, cut out the sleeves and tied it at the back. With the bandana I wear during these summer months, it looks very fashionable :-)
Its so beautiful this morning. Its been raining for the past 24 hours and I had forgotten what "normal" temperature feels like. I think it was in the mid 20's when I ran today. I did 75 minutes of an unknown distance. Its been excellent to run
without my usual gear, my usual route, no watch, no prescribed length or distance.
This is why I love it - running takes commitment and it isnt afraid to ask. The road is always there for you; doesnt keep score and it *always* accepts you back. Running is raw and it truly is joyful when you do it for its own sake - and expect nothing in return. Unconditional. Thats what it is.
Its so beautiful this morning. Its been raining for the past 24 hours and I had forgotten what "normal" temperature feels like. I think it was in the mid 20's when I ran today. I did 75 minutes of an unknown distance. Its been excellent to run
without my usual gear, my usual route, no watch, no prescribed length or distance.
This is why I love it - running takes commitment and it isnt afraid to ask. The road is always there for you; doesnt keep score and it *always* accepts you back. Running is raw and it truly is joyful when you do it for its own sake - and expect nothing in return. Unconditional. Thats what it is.
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