A little over a week ago, I pledged to run at least one mile every day between Thanksgiving and New Years as part of the 2012 Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak with an inspiring friend and runners from all over whom I have never even met (via a Facebook group).
Over the past six days we have commiserated, cheered, and encouraged each other, sharing our overall mileage, stories, and tips. It is crazy/awesome what connecting with people over one common goal can do, and I heartily look forward to streaking the next 34 days with them.
It’s not too late for you to join the cool kids. Just one mile a day is all you need! It can take you seven minutes, it can take you 15. It doesn’t matter. Face it: Once you start, you’ll probably want to keep going- and you should!
It’d be too easy to tout all the benefits to this, so instead, pick what drives you and bring it on.
Yes, and dammit if I’m not game to tackle some hills! Okay, maybe not 26.2 of straight hills (back in my day we had to run uphill both ways just to get some Gatorade!), but I’m sure the race director can’t be that sadistic… can they? I guess any self-respecting long distance runner labels themselves masochistic anyway. In conclusion: Bring on the hills.
“Inaugural Asheville Marathoners will windthrough leafy hardwood forest, crayon-hued meadows, spring bloom-crackling gardens, and freshly cut views of the estate on Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 at 7am.”
Did you read that? Leafy hardwood forest! Crayon-hued meadows! Spring bloom-crackling gardens! 7am! I want to go to there.
Taylor: Why do you want to run 26.2 miles?
1. I am crazy. Hello, have you met me?
2. I love running. Hello, have you met me?
3. I need goals in my life. Endurance goals are the best kind for me to tackle.
4. BECAUSE IT WILL BE FUN!
Seriously- I have an excuse to spend even more time with my boyfriend (running), listen to music, feel good, and explore outside. It will get sweaty. It won’t be pretty all the time. I will get blisters but hopefully not shin splints.
I’m anticipating it getting old, but crossing my fingers and hoping on high that it never does.
It’s the chord progression. It’s the drum beat. It’s the lyrical fuzz of the electric guitar buzzing into my ears and coursing through my legs and feet. I think a smile sneaks in there, too. It must.
It’s like being in a game. You’re leaping over tree roots and skidding down rocky, leaf-strewn hills, pumping energy out your legs that can only be coming from one source: Your playlist.
During a recent night run, the glow from my headlamp bobbed a few yards in front of me as I kept pace with Tom Petty telling me about running down a dream. It’s a regular on each of my playlists, for obvious reasons.
You know that famous guitar riff I’m gonna talk about, don’t you?
“Yeah, runnin down a dream (ba-na-na-na-na-na)
That never would come to me (ba-na-na-na-na-na)
Workin’ on a mystery (ba-na-na-na-na-na-na)
Goin’ wherever it leads (ba-na-na-na-na-na)
Yeah, runnin’ down a dream”
(For those un-hip to what I’m talking about, fast forward to :47).
Those three simple chords (A, G, E) strummed to that fine rhythm has gotten me up hills more times than I’ve kept track of; it has a sixth sense of coming on exactly when I need it to. The other night, it pulled me to the front of my non-competitive running club pace group (8:00-8:30), and rendered me the first finisher. Competing or not, winning always feels pretty nice.
This 1989 Petty classic is one of many on my playlist, reserved in a special place of my soul (sole). They have that special kick that pushes me through to the next level (unarguably the best part of any run). I can’t explain how it strikes a certain chord in me (pun intended) but I don’t think there’s a solitary explanation (although, if science wants to step in and do a study, I’m all for free Gatorade, let’s be real).
Instead of tracking down the cause for the ubiquitous spirit shifters, I’ll enjoy the effect, hit repeat, and tempt fate that I get sick of it. And each time I don’t, I will be air-guitaring that A, G, E riff, without shame, running balls-to-the-wall on the questionably-safe trail until the next song starts. Every. damn. time.
A little over a week ago, I pledged to run at least one mile every day between Thanksgiving and New Years as part of the 2012 Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak with an inspiring friend and runners from all over whom I have never even met (via a Facebook group).
chords and cadence 