Thursday, October 30, 2008

My running superpowers

I don't have a huge wish list of running superpowers. I think I'd only ask for two. The ability not to get injured and the ability not to get bored.

Not getting injured

After the last race (48 Miles in 48 Hours), I've been fighting a bit of a foot injury, which will require a doctor's care to determine what it is. I've had IT band injuries and dislocated my shoulder, all while running. And even if I don't have an actual injury event, I typically have soreness.

For some reason, Dean Karnazes (or "Karno", as he's not to his friends) seems to be immune to these types of things. His foot hits at exactly the right spot and his technique must be technically perfect. Either way, he generally doesn't suffer from these types of things, even after running 50 marathons in 50 days.

I've always thought of Karno (see, we're friends now) as a superhero. He may not always think so, but he does things that normal human can't even fathom, yet do. I continue to be amazed at his ability to run without the pain the rest of us mere mortals feel.

Not getting bored

While I recognize that this would make for a lame super power for most standard superheros, the ability to not be bored with training is one that I would put at the same level as not getting injured.

While New Hampshire and New England are beautiful, I'm not close to many good running trails that would keep me interested. I've got the same roads, often busy with cars, that I need to run to keep my training up for whatever current insane race I'm training for at the time. The runs get monotonous and I sometimes struggle to get out the door to hit the road.

I'm trying like crazy to do different things to keep my fitness up. After the half-marathon in early November, that I may or may not do, I'm going to try my hand at swimming. I need to cross train because hitting the roads day after day after day becomes brutal, both on the body and on the mind.

If someone bestowed on me the ability not to get bored with my training, I think I could even deal with an injury here and there.


This was written as part of the Runner's Lounge Take It and Run Thursday. This week's topic was "what superpower do you want?".

5 comments:

Marlene said...

Definitely the ability not to get injured...I could rally use that one. Good point on the boredom too. I live in suburbia and most of my runs are through boring old subdivisions, looking at replications of the same house over and over again. Ugh!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

love the injury one... i'm coming off one too. :( i also envy those with a perfect gait, and mechanics conducive to running injury free... good luck with your training!

Susan said...

I'm with ya -- no more injuries, please!

ShirleyPerly said...

I would love not to get injured too. But I am fortunate not to have any biomechanical issues that lead to many common injuries that others get. Still, the occasional rolled ankle, bike crash and pulled muscle are no fun.

I'll bet if you diversify your workouts more, you'll be less bored. I can't seem to get enough of any of my workouts because I don't have the time to do enough of them.

Petraruns said...

You've hit the nail on the head - without injuries or boredom it would be a lot easier. I think I would add the ability to be FAST to my superpower wish list as well... I fear I will never BQ without superpowers...