What I've Learned from Running

Lately, it seems like I am encountering people from different areas of my life who are starting to get into running and are training for races.

It's made me think back on everything I've learned about running.  I trained for my first 5k back in 2005, and went on to run my first 1/2 marathon in June of 2006, and my first full in October of 2006.  In the last 6-7 years of running, I've learned a lot - most through trial and error, and from reading Hal Higdon's book about how to train for a marathon (which I still use as a reference). 

Here are some of the things I've learned over the years:

• Cotton is your enemy and body glide is your friend.  I used to wear cotton socks and sports bras.  All I will say is - ouch.  When I was training for my 2006 marathon, I had horrible chafing - except I didn't know what it was.  I met this guy at a running store (who turned out to be a total a-hole), but one good thing that came of it was that he told me about body glide.  And by the way, the guys in my office had a FIELD DAY when I innocently came to work the next day and told them I had learned all about body glide from my date.  Trust me, it was a G-rated date, and body glide sounds more, ahem, scandalous than it really is - it's basically a stick of vaseline.  And it's something every runner should own and apply liberally, in my opinion!  That guy also taught me to buy socks made from synthetic material. 
• Follow a training plan.  Besides my 5k, I've never made up my own training plan.  Unless you are at an advanced level, there is no reason not to rely on the great training plans out there, from Hal Hidgon, to Jeff Galloway, there are so many options to choose from.  I always hung the training plan grid in my cube at work for visible motivation.  These days, I have relinquished control and I just rely on whatever my coaches have in mind each week.  I was totally skeptical last year, but am a full believer in their approach to training now, and I have let go of needing to know exactly what I will be doing every week for the 18 weeks of marathon training.
• Pickles are never a good pre-run snack.  This is a lesson I have had to learn multiple times.  I have definitely learned what my body can and can't handle before a run.  Pickles?  Not a good idea. At all! Take my word on this one.  My go to snack is toast with peanut butter - that's also my pre-long run and pre-race meal.  I also drink coffee before my long run, but I can not have orange juice or anything fruity/acidic (not even jam on my toast).   
• Hydration is really important.  Another tip I picked up from that running store guy was that if you are running for more than an hour, you most likely need to drink something besides water as you need something to replace the electrolytes you are burning.  I was struggling with horrible nausea when I trained for my first marathon until I learned about the importance of gatorade.  I don't follow that as closely anymore because I think my body is more efficient, so unless it's really hot, I only carry gatorade if I am running for more than 90 minutes.
• It's so mental.  I can't over-emphasize this enough.  For me, it's about 80% mental, 20% physical.  Yes, you have to be in shape, but more than anything your mind has to be in shape.  The good thing is that the discipline I've developed, thanks to running, has spilled over to other areas of my life - like CFA studying. 

The last thing I will say is that while I get runners highs, for the most part, my satisfaction comes from finishing a hard workout or a race, and the camaraderie I have with other runners.  I think you have to stick with it and get to a certain level of fitness before it becomes enjoyable, but that time will come if you are willing to put up with some discomfort along the way.

What lessons have you learned along the way while pursuing a physical activity or sport?