Thanks JosephTree

NickW

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#1
Over the last year I've heard JT say never runs with a heart rate monitor and just runs at what feels right. I've been doing the opposite, listening to everyone else and trying to do maf or some other training the whole time. Well, I've had an injury that has been bothering me for months and I had to take 3 weeks off, again. This time, last week when I started running/walking I stopped taking the hrm with me. I'm not going far enough and these are all known distances for me so I'm just running by feel. It's amazing how distracting that hrm was for me. I did not realize how much I watched and looked at the thing until I have been without. I feel it's much easier to pay attention to my form without it.

I've also come to the realization that I may never be the runner and athlete I once was. This is very difficult for me to admit to myself, but my two back surgeries and the 40 pounds I had put on because of the back problems almost assures me I won't ever get there again. I've been pushing myself pretty hard for the last year, and probably is the reason for the several injuries I've had. I had a goal of doing a half this year and a full next year. I think that's too ambitious. While I could probably do the half, I would be pushing myself too hard. I'm almost positive I will never be as fast as I used to be. Heck even at my fastest now I am not at my slow comfortable runs of back then. I think I am ok with just being healthy. I may get the distance back eventually, but I am going to do this at my pace and not some unrealistic goal that I have. Anyways, I wanted to thank JT for reminding me of this because JT always tells us how he just does what feels right too him. I like simple and maybe JT is right for those of us like me who will never be an elite runner. Go out and enjoy it and don't make it a goal where you have to do this or have to do that. Just enjoy the run and listen to your body.
 
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#2
Hey Nick, I should have known it was you when I started reading your post (I usually read first THEN see who wrote . . ). I really love this. It's so easy to get caught up in some system, not just with running but with most of life. For everyone who uses a HRM and it works for you, good on you and I really mean it.

I have been thinking lately I needed one of these gadgets and went so far as to price them out, uggh, not cheap. Then I remembered why I run, and it isn't just to look and feel like the human I really am; it's for the No Mind, which would be pretty elusive if I complicate a very simple activity.

No, you won't likely be as fast as you used to be, so what. At 46 and essentially a beginner after so many years sidelined for one silly injury or another, I'm embracing Forest Gump's credo, "I just felt like running".

You do however, NEED, your foam roller. . .
 
#3
Kudos to you and JT. I gave up all the gadgets when I gave up my shoes. It just seemed to go hand-in-hand, or foot-in-foot in this case. Running became so pure and uncomplicated when I shed those burdens.

Disclaimer: And of course, if they work for you and you enjoy them, then don't let me sway your thinking. Do what works for you and makes you happy. :rolleyes:
 
#4
SaraLord said:
Hey Nick, I should have known it was you when I started reading your post (I usually read first THEN see who wrote . . ).
Click to expand...
Not sure if this is because I have so much to say or.... :D I definitely love my roller now a days, and my toddlers little hard plastic ball for those deep spots that a roller just doesn't get.
 
#6
In light of this post, now that's hysterical!
 
#8
I bought a heart rate monitor 2 months ago and I have worn it once. I can never remember to put it on -I think that is because I subconsciously don't want to monitor my heart rate, perhaps for same reasons as you.

"I've also come to the realization that I may never be the runner and athlete I once was."

Like you, I have physical limitations that will ALWAYS restrict what I "can" do -which obviously doesn't jive with what I "want" to do. Every time I run, during the first half of my run I think about my running goals, but halfway through my run, reality sinks in and I find myself thinking, instead, about how far I have come, and how truly amazing it is. I spent the last decade fighting to get to a point where I could even WALK without pain. If you had told me a couple years ago that I would be RUNNING without pain, I would have laughed you out of the house. I KNOW I will never reach all of my running goals, but I have made peace with that. I am just grateful to be able to do what I am able to do. That doesn't mean I won't try to improve my speed or strength, but it is nice to just enjoy being able to enjoy what my body IS able to do, without the pain I used to have.
 
#9
Jen, this is very difficult for me to accept because as a man we are supposed to be the strongest, fastest, yada yada yada. At least that's the way I was raised. I think I've come to terms with it though. Also, it took me nearly 4 years to get to my level of max overweightness and I've only been running for a year. I can't expect things to just go back to normal in a blink of an eye. I have to understand that it takes time and to quit pushing myself so hard. I also realized that in todays society here in the States, we are obsessed with technology, even while running. I guess at my level of running there is no reason to be that obsessed. I just want to go out and enjoy myself and get healthy. Why have I gotten so obsessed with all the stats? I'm bad about obsessing with stuff, obviously, look at my message count on here... :D
 
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#10
Here are my rules:

If you want to stay fit, do something you enjoy.
If you don't enjoy it, do something else.
If you enjoy it but get hurt, then rest, reduce, or modify.
If you rest, reduce, or modify and still get hurt again, do something else.

So if using gear keeps you motivated, use it. If a no-gear approach keeps you happy, that's the way to go. Right now I'm in a no-gear state of mind, but I have been keeping a exercise log for the first time, since last year (just distance, no times yet). I enjoy it and it helps me keep motivated. If the time comes for me to try something like the Maf method, I'll embrace it. Or if the idea of racing appeals to me, I'll sign up.

As for losing weight, just keep at it. If you were in good shape before, and don't have any glandular problems, etc., you can be sure that exercise will take care of the weight over time, just as no exercise over time has put on the weight little by little. For back problems, a little rowing at low resistance might help, or it might make things worse.

As for aging and losing strength, agility, and stamina: you're screwed, just like the rest of us! The only way to stop the aging process is to die.
 
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#11
I remember when I herniated a disk in my back in 1999, and after I went to a couple of doctors who completely depressed me, I went to one that actually said something that stuck with me. He said "You didn't injure your back last week or last month, you've been injuring it for years....and ignoring it. So don't expect to fix it in a day, but you can start fixing it today." I think the same applies to running. If you're coming from a state of injury, underuse, or general out-of-shapeness....it only seems rational that there is a time investment to get your body ready to run significant distances.

I do use a HRM, but only to know how hard I'm pushing myself. I frequently used to run waaaay faster than I thought I was, and had issues because of it. I'm a terrible judge of how fast I'm going or how hard I'm working. I frequently am shocked at what my heartrate is when I check my Garmin. I'm trying to do an easy run and my heart rate is 155, but it doesn't feel like I'm working that hard.....at least at the time. Some people may have a better natural feel for that, and I'm hoping the BF'ing will help me get in tune with that a little better.
 
#13
It took me 3 years to lose 55 lbs., but I didn't start losing it until I ditched all my regimented weight-loss routines, such as working out "x" amount of times per week and eating "x" amout of calories a day. I started carrying my work out stuff with me and exercised whenever I could and wherever I was. I started viewing eating and exercise in terms of all-encompassing health -increased energy, increased mood, increased libido, longer life, etc., instead of only one facet. As soon as I made that shift, I had no problem losing weight -I didn't even think about it, it just happened.
 
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#14
My wife's a Librarian and she recently brought me a stack of old, about to be discarded Runners Worlds,2009 vintage. I'd never seen them or any more recent for that matter, and went through the whole stack in two nights. I guess they corrupted me. Thanks for reminding me of my tendency to techlessness. Whew! That was close!
 
#15
It all depends on you and your goals JT. Wasn't trying to talk you out of it. More I was thanking you for reminding me that with running I don't need to be plugged in so to speak. I can just go, with my toddler of course, but I don't need to have all the techy stuff always with me. I found it's a major distraction for me because I am one of those obsessive people and I have to know whats what at all times. Distance, pace, avg pace, true time, heart rate, yada yada yada. I don't need that man, I like to just go out and do my thing. In fact I'm happier with my one mile runs now than I was with my 7-8 mile runs with all the techy stuff. I can just let everything go and relax. I know I've been running much faster but I couldn't tell you a pace, but that's ok because I'm enjoying myself again.
 
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#16
My fanny pack is filled with an insulin pump, a glucose meter, and the the constant concern about whether my blood sugar is high, low, getting high, or getting low. These have been my constant concerns for 35 years. I've thought about a HRM - because burning fat rather than glucose is particularly important to me - but if I have to carry one more damn thing with me, I'm going to go insane. :)

I've slowly built up to the point where I can run three miles without much impact on my blood glucose. I still have to carry sugar at all times, but a year ago, a mile would have had me guzzling gatorade and downing glucose tablets, sitting by the side of the road in someone's front yard, getting ready for the walk home. I know I have limitations, but I'm less limited than I was last year. And I don't see any reason to believe I can't keep pushing that back for another dozen years.

Some days I'd give anything to just go out for a run without all the planning. Still, it's much better than it was last year, and SO much better than as bad as it might be. And even though I'm 52, I'm getting faster, thinner, and stronger.

I'm so glad I tried this.
 
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#17
Good for you, Nick! and BRAVO, BFGburg!

Truly, what I think is going on with me is somewhere between the two of you. I've been running on joy and luck for the first 2 years of my running adventure. Now I have gotten to the point where I'm pushing the envelope just a bit and starting to feel a couple aches and pains and I DON"T want an injury. So I'm aiming to take very good care of my "instrument" and keep as much of my running as possible in that happy aerobic, fat burning cruising zone that Dr. Maffetone describes. Hence the HRM, just to get myself attuned to what it's supposed to feel like. There's a good chance this impulse will pass and I'll carry on by gut feel, as I've done so far. But maybe not. Especially if the hints I've dropped result in a Garmin for Father's day. We'll see.
 
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