Monday, February 20, 2017

Three Running Wishes


Have you ever fantasized that a Running Genie existed?

You know....they'd appear in a fluid puff of smoke from a magical foam roller, and graciously grant you three running-related wishes? (No? Am I the only one who's had such fleeting thoughts?)

Anyways, my running wish list is pretty lengthy. If I were to narrow it down to the top three, though, here's what I beg of my genie...

Wish #1 - I'd request that training not be SO difficult. Seriously, every race I have ever done (and I have run several in the past almost-12 years) has been much easier than the training that got me to the start line. Granted, none of us would appreciate our accomplishments if they came with little or no effort. But it's crazy how much blood, sweat, and tears go into all of those speed drills, long runs, and cross-training exercises over the course of several months...all to spend a few hours on the actual race course. Crazy, huh! 


Wish #2 - I'd kindly ask that shoe manufacturers stop "improving" all the great shoes with new versions that don't feel as comfy. I have a difficult time finding shoes that work for me. My feet are not exact replicas of each other (my left foot is slightly longer), my arches are high, and I over-pronate like you wouldn't believe. I'd love to find one perfect shoe that would exist forever without the fear of it getting tweaked. 


Wish #3 - I'd also love to have a better memory. It's incredibly frustrating having to learn the same lessons over (and over)...like how the treadmill makes me (almost) pass out, my arches feel better if I tape them for long runs, and those first three miles of a run usually feel tough.  Also, dynamic warm-ups work wonders (when I actually do them) and daily foam rolling feels fantastic (if I commit to doing it).


I know, that's a lot to wish for. Call me selfish.

Bottom line, a lot of these wishes are within my control....the training is essential for long-distance events, my needs are constantly evolving as my mileage and training fluctuate (so my shoes should also be modified as needed), and common sense always prevails in terms of listening to my body and training properly (without over doing it).

January was probably my most successful off-season ever. I kept my running consistent, though conservative, as I continued recovering from my late-season marathon. Currently, I am feeling 100% injury-free, and it feels awesome. My top priority for 2017 is to remain injury-free and have FUN at my races. Thankfully, I've reached a point in my running where my finish times are no longer my all-in-all. Instead, I'm going with the "big picture" now days....if I can have fun and remain injury-free, I'll be able to enjoy this running gig for a long time. For me, that's worth sacrificing a few PR's along the way.

How about YOU? If you were granted three (running) wishes, what would they be? Could you limit your wishes to just three?

I'm linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run...

and with Nicole and AnnMarie and Jen for the Wild Workout Wednesday...

and with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.





43 comments:

  1. Yay for a successful off season! I love that you are feeling so pumped and ready for training to come! You know that my first wish would be to be injury free.... and maybe to be able to run through IVF, lol

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    1. Seriously, I have never felt this good going into the "training season" (also known as spring). Proceeding with caution.....

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  2. Oh yes, I love that foam roller too. And yet? Sometimes it gets neglected. What is up with shoe manufacturers and tweaks that put us right out of the shoes?? Insane!

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    1. I am so frustrated with the shoe thing. My Brooks Adrenalines still feel good...just not as great as theor previous model ;-(

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  3. These are great wishes! You are right about the shoes. I've been wearing the same brand and color Asics almost 2 years. They haven't changed them yet! I had to stop wearing Brooks a long time ago for distance but do wear the Pure Flow for shorter runs. Have a great week!

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    1. The shoe thing frustrates me. I wish they'd just create new models instead of tweaking the existing ones.

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  4. YES to #2!! I'm still rocking the Mizuno Wave Inspire 10's that were released years ago because i just love them! Thankfully I purchased a bunch of pairs when they were on sale :) The "improved versions" (11s, 12s and 13s) and okay, but nothing beats my 10s!

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    1. My first Mizunos were the Wave Inspire 8's...and they were SO perfect! I have heard the most recent version (not sure if that would be the 13?) is pretty good, I just have not tried it yet

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  5. I actually like training for races--as hard as it is, I love the journey to the starting line! Weird, right?

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    1. I do like some aspects of training (like the long runs), but the constant speed drills, etc. get boring if I don't have some variation with them LOL

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  6. Totally agree that I wish they'd stop changing our running shoes!! I'm loving the Mizuno Wave Rider 19's and hoping I can keep stocking up on them as long as possible!

    Glad to hear you're injury-free!!

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    1. YES, the injury-free thing definitely feels awesome! It's been awhile LOL

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  7. I dunno, I've had some pretty damn hard races, way harder than the training!

    Injuries always suck. But I will always be competitive (albeit a slow competitor) -- still, injury free and fun are always the goals!

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    1. Granted I have had some tough races, too, but for the most part the training gets l.o.n.g.....

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  8. I wish the training were easier as well. Like you, I know that it's worth it and that nothing worth anything is ever easy, but it would be nice...and we are wishing...

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    1. Wish I had that magic wand because the Genie is still MIA LOL

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  9. Ugh...all of my foot problems stem from the fact I have extremely high arches. I'm not sure there is a shoe out there to solve that particular problem. And I agree. Stop messing with the shoe I like!!!

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    1. It sounds like we have similar feet LOL My knees kind of turn inward, too, which just accentuates the over-pronation....but orthotics kind of freak me out

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  10. I have to say, I usually enjoy marathon training much more than the race itself! So while I do put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into training, it's usually worth it for me. :)

    But WHY do they keep messing with my shoes?!?! Gah...

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    1. The shoes need to be left alone, right? Seriously, all the tweaking is actually helping the OTHER companies because I keep searching elsewhere for that perfect shoe...

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  11. YES, about the shoe manufacturers keeping the shoes the same. That's a great wish!

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    1. I wish that damn Genie would make his appearance and get to work...

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  12. Yes, it would be super nice if training was easier. And if they could leave shoes alone. I get it.

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    1. Right? I have tried searching for my favorite shoes on websites, but I can never find my size in the "older" models that I love ;-(

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  13. I think at this point my only wish is to be injury free, but I'm kind of with you on wish #1 as well. why does it have to be so HARD? I'm glad YOU are feeling good now and injury-free, that's a good set up for a GREAT year!

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    1. Thanks ;-) Yes, injury-free is an awesome goal to strive towards!

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  14. Yes! I HATE it when they "improve" the shoe and it's no longer good for me. I am still sad they ruined the Brooks Pure Flows. I loved the first version so much I bought the second without even trying it on. I had to return them after two runs, they were terrible, I kept hoping a future version would be better but they never have. If I would have known that I would have bought a huge supply of the originals.

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    1. My first pair of Brooks was the Adrenaline 15's....total perfection for me. I had two pairs of them. The 16's are good...but just not quite as perfect as their predecessor. I had a similar experience with the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8's.....the newer versions just have not felt as good ;-(

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  15. the shoes! I wore the same Asics pair for year and then all of the sudden the "improved" it and nope not for me.

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  16. I wish that all the aches and pains that I've accumulated over 25 years of running would all go away! I'm happy that you've had such a great running season. I know how dedicated you are!

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    1. Well, I'm just coming off my off-season...so, we shall see what happens when the "real" season commences LOL I'm gonna take things easy....

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  17. So annoying when shoe companies change up your favourite shoe!

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  18. Yessss to #2...why do they always have to change a good thing?!

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    1. I wish they'd leave the shoes "as is," and create new models instead.

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  19. I would wish that I didn't have to do all the training! hahah! Yep, that favorite shoe wish is a very good one I think!

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    1. I know...it would be great if all of the required training wasn't "required" LOL

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  20. I wish for my shoulder not to hurt so I can run long distances again! :) send that running genie my way! :)

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  21. #2 is one of my pet peeves too! When I find a pair of shoes I love, I usually buy 3-4 pairs and store them in my closet because by the time I need them, they will have changed them. UGH!

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  22. I am right there with you on #3! I wrote a post years ago about the running lessons I can't seem to learn. LOL.

    Congrats on having such a great January, and I hope your 2017 proves to be injury-free!

    That would be my #1 wish, I think.

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  23. Yes to wish #2. Why do things that aren't broken need to be "fixed"?

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  24. I definitely know what you mean about the shoes! Why do companies always have to make changes?! It can be so frustrating when you find something you like and then have to start the search all over again.

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