Japanese novelist Murakami Haruki's memoir: WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING.
I am here at the bookstore mulling over all the info and advice I've received thus far, inside of my own mind.
Don't push yourself too hard. Focus on racking up the miles. Not speed.
Are you a "do it by the book" type guy? Or a do-it-your-own-way type guy? I followed Jack Daniels' training regimen.
Get your feet analyzed at Xebio on their machine.
Put medical tape over your nipples. And use Vaseline on your thighs.
Gradually increase the distance you run. Start small.
Run in the shoes you train in. A small problem with new shoes at 6 miles is a bloody foot at 20 or 21.
Have a mantra. Get your stride and gait analyzed.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHY YOU ARE RUNNING.
For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself. At least that's why I've put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level. I'm no great runner, by any means. I'm at an ordinary--or perhaps more like mediocre--level. But that's not the point. The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.
Murakami compares running to writing. There is no winning or losing, necessarily. Just failure or success in attaining to the standards you've set for yourself.
This pretty much sums up why I am doing this as well. For myself. To lift myself up to the next level.
Training starts Monday. A very slow--and gentle--3 miles. Wish me luck.
If you missed the previous posts you can find them here:
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
