Thanks for this, gave me lots to think about for my own running. What app/site is that mileage bar chart from? I just log my runs/workouts in a Google Doc but I'm open to better options.
I've been loving your writing over the past several weeks, and especially this focus on "potential." I often set very rigid/objective goals over the course of a year or training period, and as such, 2020 has left me a bit bewildered with respect to what the hell I actually accomplished. Reading your descriptions has renewed that purer love of running that I kind of slipped away from over the past several months. I had already decided on a number of dietary and routine changes, but I think I'll focus on a more holistic "How does it feel" approach to gauge progress rather than the discrete data points my brain has typically glommed onto. Here's to a better, or at least different, 2021.
Also have to say, I'm jealous of being able to run actual hills surrounded by nature. We don't have those in Houston, and getting hills in generally means parking garages. Talk about tough to motivate...
Paul, these stats are incredible, thanks for sharing. Your elevation climb is unreal! Once again, great read.
I have been intrigued by trail running and have really enjoyed the times I’ve done it. But for me I lose the motivation when I have to get in my car and drive to a trail. I would rather walk out my door and go for it. I look at the commute time and consider I could be done with my normal run before I even get there. That’s a mindset that I need to try and get over, because being out in nature instead of the concrete jungle is much more enjoyable.
This year I ran my first sub 2 hour half marathon, which I was very proud of. It’s also the furthest I have run. When I started running I never thought I would want to, or actually run a half, but here I am. With that, the thought of a full marathon still sounds terrible.
Thanks for creating this awesome community, Paul. I hope everyone has a great New Years and continues to hit their goals they set out for.
I really appreciated this post and it made me think about how I looked at running this year from a new mindset. As a person with a competitive streak, the 2019 race/running season ended well for me. I placed (in my age bracket) for the first time in October 2019 and then, the next week, in a race with my son and younger brother, I had another good day. In fact, my younger brother thought the race would be friendly (we started out together, he was chatty and then, as I was pulling away, he said, "oh, it is going to be like that."), but I beat him (first time beating him since he was a kid - he is better at basketball by leaps and bounds. Not my son, though, he smoked us both as usual) and felt real good about heading into 2020 and the races in the spring. Even after learning, in early 2020, that I would need knee surgery, I felt like I would have the surgery, rehab, and be back at the latest by June. As it turned out, I did start running again in July, but mainly as a test to see how my knee was feeling and to do something physical since we had stopped our family hike/walks (my wife had a serious accident). But the physical release soon came to be a mental release as well, and though I had not normally run past the fall, this year, I have continued to seek out trails close by to get some outdoor/exercise release. I have also eschewed ear buds and podcasts during runs (between the buff, the hat, etc. it is too much) which helps me really absorb the woods while I am running. The potential I felt for a good race season and the drive to see improvement through results has become the potential for some other kind of improvement this year. As I was reading your post today, I did flash forward to hopefully racing again next year and it made me happy to think about how I will feel then.
The competitive aspect is so fascinating. There's something about being out there with other people all trying their best that's hard to describe. Love that you're embracing the ambient nature aspect. It's really cool to totally unplug and just hear everything.
I envy your trail skills! As president and founder of the Clumsy Runners with Terrible Knees Club, technical trails and downhills are difficult for me. I’ll run uphill all day long if I need to, but bumpy downhill causes me vertigo and broken bones. (Several!)
I mentioned before that this year has been my joyful return to everyday running. No piecing together sporadic miles or weekend warrior-ing. I’ve been able to return to my love of the routine daily run. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ve been running for 25 years and the older I get the more I appreciate being able to just enjoy the ride. Some days are hard, done says are effortless but all days that I can run are good.
You’re a beast, Paul. Thank you for continuing to put yourself out there with this blog. I look forward to it!
i, too, went through that revelation about running hills in 2020. while looking at my own end-of-year running stats, i noticed my total elevation was completely out of the range of what i've been used to putting up in previous years. struggling to put the number into some context, i got curious and googled the elevation for Mt Everest (~29k ft). i ended up climbing it a couple times over, relying just on local hills and trails in the time of covid. i was, and am, genuinely proud of it.
i hope you are proud of all the work and time you put in! the evidence speaks for itself.
Wow! Great job, that’s a lot of miles and a lot of vertical!
Running has helped me get through 2020. For me, I ended up doubling my mileage from 2019 while exploring more formal training programs for the first time. As a later in life runner, I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed the variety of challenges that running can bring - whether it’s ticking off the miles on a long slow run, pushing hard up hills, or trying my hand at speed/track work. There is a satisfaction that comes with completing something you weren’t sure you could do when you started. And then you can always find the next challenge....
Thanks for this, gave me lots to think about for my own running. What app/site is that mileage bar chart from? I just log my runs/workouts in a Google Doc but I'm open to better options.
The Coros watch has a nifty app. I still keep track of my runs in a spiral notebook. Whatever works.
You climbed from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest about ten times.
I did!
I've been loving your writing over the past several weeks, and especially this focus on "potential." I often set very rigid/objective goals over the course of a year or training period, and as such, 2020 has left me a bit bewildered with respect to what the hell I actually accomplished. Reading your descriptions has renewed that purer love of running that I kind of slipped away from over the past several months. I had already decided on a number of dietary and routine changes, but I think I'll focus on a more holistic "How does it feel" approach to gauge progress rather than the discrete data points my brain has typically glommed onto. Here's to a better, or at least different, 2021.
Also have to say, I'm jealous of being able to run actual hills surrounded by nature. We don't have those in Houston, and getting hills in generally means parking garages. Talk about tough to motivate...
Really like that outlook. I went running in downtown Houston once during an All Star weekend. Not too memorable, to be honest.
Paul, these stats are incredible, thanks for sharing. Your elevation climb is unreal! Once again, great read.
I have been intrigued by trail running and have really enjoyed the times I’ve done it. But for me I lose the motivation when I have to get in my car and drive to a trail. I would rather walk out my door and go for it. I look at the commute time and consider I could be done with my normal run before I even get there. That’s a mindset that I need to try and get over, because being out in nature instead of the concrete jungle is much more enjoyable.
This year I ran my first sub 2 hour half marathon, which I was very proud of. It’s also the furthest I have run. When I started running I never thought I would want to, or actually run a half, but here I am. With that, the thought of a full marathon still sounds terrible.
Thanks for creating this awesome community, Paul. I hope everyone has a great New Years and continues to hit their goals they set out for.
Cheers!
Thanks for the kind words. The driving thing was weird for me too and yes, you do have to do add time on both ends. This sounds like a post.
I really appreciated this post and it made me think about how I looked at running this year from a new mindset. As a person with a competitive streak, the 2019 race/running season ended well for me. I placed (in my age bracket) for the first time in October 2019 and then, the next week, in a race with my son and younger brother, I had another good day. In fact, my younger brother thought the race would be friendly (we started out together, he was chatty and then, as I was pulling away, he said, "oh, it is going to be like that."), but I beat him (first time beating him since he was a kid - he is better at basketball by leaps and bounds. Not my son, though, he smoked us both as usual) and felt real good about heading into 2020 and the races in the spring. Even after learning, in early 2020, that I would need knee surgery, I felt like I would have the surgery, rehab, and be back at the latest by June. As it turned out, I did start running again in July, but mainly as a test to see how my knee was feeling and to do something physical since we had stopped our family hike/walks (my wife had a serious accident). But the physical release soon came to be a mental release as well, and though I had not normally run past the fall, this year, I have continued to seek out trails close by to get some outdoor/exercise release. I have also eschewed ear buds and podcasts during runs (between the buff, the hat, etc. it is too much) which helps me really absorb the woods while I am running. The potential I felt for a good race season and the drive to see improvement through results has become the potential for some other kind of improvement this year. As I was reading your post today, I did flash forward to hopefully racing again next year and it made me happy to think about how I will feel then.
The competitive aspect is so fascinating. There's something about being out there with other people all trying their best that's hard to describe. Love that you're embracing the ambient nature aspect. It's really cool to totally unplug and just hear everything.
I envy your trail skills! As president and founder of the Clumsy Runners with Terrible Knees Club, technical trails and downhills are difficult for me. I’ll run uphill all day long if I need to, but bumpy downhill causes me vertigo and broken bones. (Several!)
I mentioned before that this year has been my joyful return to everyday running. No piecing together sporadic miles or weekend warrior-ing. I’ve been able to return to my love of the routine daily run. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ve been running for 25 years and the older I get the more I appreciate being able to just enjoy the ride. Some days are hard, done says are effortless but all days that I can run are good.
You’re a beast, Paul. Thank you for continuing to put yourself out there with this blog. I look forward to it!
Thanks Tracey. Happy New Year.
wow, paul! those are some crazy stats!
i, too, went through that revelation about running hills in 2020. while looking at my own end-of-year running stats, i noticed my total elevation was completely out of the range of what i've been used to putting up in previous years. struggling to put the number into some context, i got curious and googled the elevation for Mt Everest (~29k ft). i ended up climbing it a couple times over, relying just on local hills and trails in the time of covid. i was, and am, genuinely proud of it.
i hope you are proud of all the work and time you put in! the evidence speaks for itself.
Nice, thanks. Love the Everest comp. That's perfect.
Wow! Great job, that’s a lot of miles and a lot of vertical!
Running has helped me get through 2020. For me, I ended up doubling my mileage from 2019 while exploring more formal training programs for the first time. As a later in life runner, I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed the variety of challenges that running can bring - whether it’s ticking off the miles on a long slow run, pushing hard up hills, or trying my hand at speed/track work. There is a satisfaction that comes with completing something you weren’t sure you could do when you started. And then you can always find the next challenge....
Always the next one! Variety truly is the spice of middle aged running. Wish I knew that when I was younger.
I wish I knew how much I’d like running when I was younger! Really enjoying the newsletter - looking forward to it in an improved 2021....