 Tue, Jul 08, 2008 05:39 PM
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2008-03-28  Opinion | TERRI HINTZ
Get active: brighten your day, have more energy
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April 04, 2008 | 10:03 AM
I have two faithful running buddies. One I have been running with for more than three years, and the other for two years.
Both girls ran the ING marathon last weekend. Running a marathon is not a small feat and is worthy of celebration so I was eager to call and find out how they did.
One finished in over 6 hours and the other in under 4 hours. Both are marathoners because at the distance of 26.2 miles, time doesn't matter – finishing does! Yet you may wonder how these running buddies could have such disparity in their times.
One is recovering from overtraining and ran slowly with one of the novice members of her Suwanee-based running club. The other, who I call Speedy Gonzalez ran it with her usual speed and style. She takes it easy on me for our 5 a.m. training runs and slows to 9 minute miles but for such a time as the ING she poured it on and recorded a personal best for the marathon distance.
The three of us run together or sometimes in two's depending on our work schedules. I have been running much longer than either of them and ran for many years solo. Having completed one marathon though, I don't have the desire to do another. As my buddies have ramped up their passion for running and longer distances, I have learned to cross train and run just for the joy of it.
I find it interesting to see what motivates people. Speedy loves to race and only fast runs count as great in her book. My other partner likes to record good times but has been learning to train smarter.
She has a passion to help other people find joy in running and she organizes coaches and running groups at various levels to hit Gwinnett parks and greenways every Saturday morning. She clips her dog's collar on and heads out with a group – slow pack or fast pack – and enjoys each run but not as much as she enjoys seeing others learn to love to run. She marks distance as success and wisdom in the art of running as notches on her water-bottle belt.
I think of myself as a reformed runner of sorts. I gave up running six days a week for cross-training and my knees have thanked me. I don't like the crowds of races. I enjoy the company of these running buddies but also was happy running on my own for many, many years. Mostly, I like to be outdoors and running affords me that chance before or after a day cooped up in the four walls of my office.
The Peachtree is coming up and the weather is warming. It's the perfect time to get out and get moving. Trust me, it doesn't matter whether you walk or run, fast or slow, it will do your body and mind good.
My two friends are perfect examples of what a little taste of running can do – offer a hobby that you enjoy, or give you an outlet for your competitive drive. Or, like me, you might just find it affords you a bit of quiet to daydream and breath deeply.
If running isn't your thing, cycling, roller blading or tossing the ball in the park with your kids might have the same effect of lightening your day and adding to your energy. So, while you won't see me on the Peachtree course, go for it if that's your goal. Maybe I'll see you training out on the Suwanee Greenway or plodding along the trails while the kids are at soccer practice.
All you have to do is - lace up!
- www.gwinnettherald.com
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