Whether it was advice from a coach, something from a friend or in a running group, what is something you’ve heard and put into practice that has left the biggest impression on you?
It's not something I heard directly; it's a voiceover from Billy Yang in his 2018 documentary called The Why, which explores the reason people run 100-mile races. That quote changed the direction of my running, and it has helped put a lot of things in perspective. Here's what he said:
“When it’s your time, do you want to leave a well-preserved body, or do you really want to use it? A body with stories that says you’ve pushed it, and at times suffered, and you sought its potential.”
So true — very Hunter S. Thompson! Also really, newly relevant in this age we’re living in, with AI swirling all around us. What it means to live and be in the world in our bodies, to enjoy the physicality of living to the fullest, is something I think a lot about lately. This is really well put 👏
It dawned on me once, during an episode of excessive self-criticism, that not only were the people I imagined to be judging me *not* judging me, they weren’t thinking about me at all — they were thinking about themselves too! 😀
I’d say the advice Homer got from grandpa Simpson is always good to keep in mind. That was something like, “If you ever travel back in time, don't step on anything.”
But something more practical would be from a book I read recently, Meb’s 26 Marathons. It said, “You don’t need to get a gold medal in every workout.”
I don’t follow it too closely, but I like the thought.
I met and ran with Helen at the 1998 Shadows of the Giant 50K trail race near Fish Camp, CA, just south of Yosemite. She was 76 at the time. A great woman.
Heard a dad say this to his young daughter at a 5k I ran during the race: the mind gives up before the body does. Has helped me an infinite number of times.
I heard something similar recently; I’ll get it wrong, but essentially it was that our minds routinely lie to us but our bodies never do — so when your body tells you something, you should really listen!
After 86 years on this wonderful planet, I have have had some excellent advice - did I always listen - that's for another day's discussion. I feel the best advice I've had is from my PCP. Since she is a runner she always has good advice on various aspects of running (hydrate, rotate shoes, etc. But the best advice has been - "you know your body better than anyone else, listen to it!"
That’s so great, Stan. I think when I was younger, I really did think I’d eventually reach an age/point where I would experience doubt or insecurity anymore. But they’re both still with me, ever-present traveling companions I can never fully shake. We just have to make our peace with them, don’t we?
this was a longggg time ago, and it was from a friend of my sister i think, someone i barely knew and a bit younger than me and she was a really good distance runner. i had asked her something about how she keeps her endurance up after going past 10, 20 miles. her reply was "when i feel good, i go for it". that has always stayed with me. sometimes if i'm just planning on a 5 or 6 mile run but i have the time and i'm feeling good, i'll add on just because i can, and i'm able to "go for it".
hope everyone has some great runs this weekend! and if you feel good, go for it!
“It’s just not that serious” suits apparently all occasions! My first mentor teacher related this like a mantra in our 6th grade classes, and I don’t know if it dunk in on the kids. But it subconsciously started working on me!
I love this, Hellhound! It’s kind of a theme I live by, not even consciously — I think that’s always appealed to me. I think we all take a lot of things far too seriously (and I include myself in that too, as I fall prey to the temptation all too easily myself). Love this ❤️
It's not something I heard directly; it's a voiceover from Billy Yang in his 2018 documentary called The Why, which explores the reason people run 100-mile races. That quote changed the direction of my running, and it has helped put a lot of things in perspective. Here's what he said:
“When it’s your time, do you want to leave a well-preserved body, or do you really want to use it? A body with stories that says you’ve pushed it, and at times suffered, and you sought its potential.”
It's very Hunter S. Thompson, and I love it.
So true — very Hunter S. Thompson! Also really, newly relevant in this age we’re living in, with AI swirling all around us. What it means to live and be in the world in our bodies, to enjoy the physicality of living to the fullest, is something I think a lot about lately. This is really well put 👏
So many good bits of advice over the years e.g.
No one else cares (in relation to your pace and sharing runs on Strava etc)- you do you
Run the mile you’re in- great for long runs
Smile- it sends a message to the brain that you’re enjoying it (doesn’t always work…)
It dawned on me once, during an episode of excessive self-criticism, that not only were the people I imagined to be judging me *not* judging me, they weren’t thinking about me at all — they were thinking about themselves too! 😀
Comparison is the thief of joy isn’t it?!
I’d say the advice Homer got from grandpa Simpson is always good to keep in mind. That was something like, “If you ever travel back in time, don't step on anything.”
But something more practical would be from a book I read recently, Meb’s 26 Marathons. It said, “You don’t need to get a gold medal in every workout.”
I don’t follow it too closely, but I like the thought.
Very, very true (both quotes!)
I especially like the one about not needing a gold medal every time out — it’s counterintuitive, but it hurts us in the long run, doesn’t it?
RFM: Relentless Forward Motion. Helen Klein (female pioneer ultra runner) told me this mantra was the key to her success running ultras.
I didn’t know who Helen Klein is but now I’ve just googled her and… wow! What a legacy she’s left. When did you meet her?
I met and ran with Helen at the 1998 Shadows of the Giant 50K trail race near Fish Camp, CA, just south of Yosemite. She was 76 at the time. A great woman.
Heard a dad say this to his young daughter at a 5k I ran during the race: the mind gives up before the body does. Has helped me an infinite number of times.
Oooh, that’s interesting 🤔 Love that!
I heard something similar recently; I’ll get it wrong, but essentially it was that our minds routinely lie to us but our bodies never do — so when your body tells you something, you should really listen!
After 86 years on this wonderful planet, I have have had some excellent advice - did I always listen - that's for another day's discussion. I feel the best advice I've had is from my PCP. Since she is a runner she always has good advice on various aspects of running (hydrate, rotate shoes, etc. But the best advice has been - "you know your body better than anyone else, listen to it!"
So well said, Ken! 🙌
(I’ve always loved the bits of wisdom your doctor shares, by the way. She should write a book!)
I'll tell her that the next time we meet!
Sounds simple, still works.
When in doubt, for you will have doubt, trust what you know and trust yourself.
That’s so great, Stan. I think when I was younger, I really did think I’d eventually reach an age/point where I would experience doubt or insecurity anymore. But they’re both still with me, ever-present traveling companions I can never fully shake. We just have to make our peace with them, don’t we?
Definitely. We've got to maintin that belief in self, especially when in those "down" moments! Great choice for question...
My husband tells me when I start comparing myself to other runners
“Just run your race and let them run theirs”
That’s such good advice, Christy — about really everything, right? 😀
this was a longggg time ago, and it was from a friend of my sister i think, someone i barely knew and a bit younger than me and she was a really good distance runner. i had asked her something about how she keeps her endurance up after going past 10, 20 miles. her reply was "when i feel good, i go for it". that has always stayed with me. sometimes if i'm just planning on a 5 or 6 mile run but i have the time and i'm feeling good, i'll add on just because i can, and i'm able to "go for it".
hope everyone has some great runs this weekend! and if you feel good, go for it!
Oh I love that, Kel! Especially because I don’t think I’ve ever quite thought of it that way… that’s brilliant 👏
“It’s just not that serious” suits apparently all occasions! My first mentor teacher related this like a mantra in our 6th grade classes, and I don’t know if it dunk in on the kids. But it subconsciously started working on me!
I love this, Hellhound! It’s kind of a theme I live by, not even consciously — I think that’s always appealed to me. I think we all take a lot of things far too seriously (and I include myself in that too, as I fall prey to the temptation all too easily myself). Love this ❤️