Making running fun…by making fun of it
Last Sunday, I ran the 2023 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC — my fifth marathon and first with a sub-three-hour goal. The stage was set for a fairytale ending. Yet, despite the stars aligning, I fell like a crashing meteor. So, what went wrong? Well, I’m not one to make excuses, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the role of one very important element. Here’s what happened…
The only time I run without listening to music or podcasts is when I run with someone. As much as I love running, I still need a good podcast episode to keep me motivated for the long haul on those long runs. Or a “beast mode” playlist to help me tame that “beast” of a speed workout. There are many days when I’m not motivated to run. But, knowing I can take my mind off the task of running and get lost in a good discussion or a memorable verse with an up-tempo beat to help pass the miles is all I need to pass through my front door.
Running is one of the greatest ways to discover new roads, neighborhoods, trails, the best views, and any other part of the setting we call home. But, often times, we don’t have to stray from our beaten path to find a new perspective. Running makes us consider our surroundings in new ways. The same scenes we pass every day by car feel completely different on foot. So, how do running routes impact our running mindset?
Brooks continues to innovate their shoe lineup, and the latest example appears in the form of a ghost—but this is not your father’s Brooks Ghost. The Brooks Ghost Max arrived in October as a beefier version of one of the most iconic running shoes. So, how does it compare to the regular Ghost?
Paying for experiences is more likely to lead to happiness than buying material goods. A problematic finding for running shoe addicts like me. But when you consider the opportunities presented by a good pair of running shoes, you realize the conundrum: buying running shoes is a material purchase that leads to the best experiences life can offer. Here’s how to justify to your significant other, family, and to yourself, that buying endless pairs of running shoes is a smart investment.
Buying running shoes can often feel like entering into a romantic relationship. And just as a romantic relationship can lead to love, you can fall head over running-shoe-heels for your footwear. But what happens when the running shoe magic (and outsole) starts to fade?
