<p>It seems like we have a lot of runners on here, and we started hijacking the summer fitness thread, so I thought I'd start a thread solely for running related stuff. We can talk about anything, doesn't have to be limited to sharing what our times are and whatnot. Motivation, tips, favorite running gear, etc.</p>
<p>This isn't just for those on their track or cross country team at school either, this is for anyone who runs for fun, no matter how fast or slow, and also for people who are looking to start running. Don't be shy to post on this thread, runners are nice people! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for making this thread! RUNNING PRIDE, OH YEAH! :D</p>
<p>I touched upon this in the summer fitness thread, but I wanted to explain my background with running to inspire anyone out there who is timid to start. </p>
<p>I joined my high school’s cross country team on a whim this summer. I wanted to challenge myself and try something new. I’d never run more than a mile before, and I was intimated by all the seasoned runners on the team who had been doing distance since middle school. Nevertheless, I joined. And it was one of the greatest decisions of my life. </p>
<p>I’ll going to be honest: I was the slowest person on the team when I began. A couple of times, I truly felt like quitting as I wheezed my way to the finish line ten minutes after everyone else. Running for twenty minutes was difficult, and I often questioned why I even wanted to join in the first place. Why was I going through self-inflicted torture, anyway? xD And now? I just ran seven miles last Friday. </p>
<p>But guess what? I’m STILL the slowest person on the team. :D</p>
<p>Running is NOT about how far you can go or how fast you can run. If you believe you’re a runner…you already are! I like to say that running is only 5% physical and 95% mental. When I run, I literally visualize myself running. The person I visualize is strong and powerful. Nothing can stop her. She is indefatigable. She is a BEAST. Then I repeat myself, “Estrellas, you’re a runner. You are a FREAKING BEAST. You are the best runner in the ENTIRE WORLD. GGRR.” This is ridiculous. But it totally works! My coach often says that “you’re not hot, sweaty, and tired unless you believe you are.” Believe you can take one more step, and you can. Believe you can run for five more minutes, and you can. </p>
<p>You WILL feel pain and you WILL feel uncomfortable when you start. But once you get into that state of mind, everything else subsides, and the only thing you think about is the thrill that pressing your limits can give you. </p>
<p>I love running! Unfortunately due to lack of parental consent, I’ve only partially done XC and Track (couldn’t find stories convincing enough to cover for meets). </p>
<p>Then I injured my knee in a hurdle accident. It’s still sore 3 months later even though I’ve been swimming instead of running. </p>
<p>I’ll definitely continue running in college.</p>
<p>Estrellas, I go jogging a lot for fun (no running team or anything) but I kinda feel insecure about it. I would feel so much more comfortable if I had some jogging buddies or a team or something. I usually jog through the neighborhood, about 1 mile each time. </p>
<p>I’m a guy by the way. I feel like people look at guys jogging weirdly (more than girls). </p>
<p>Where do you run? With who? Do you have a track field? Or a forest? Or just suburbia?</p>
<p>@Burnout - I used to feel exactly like you do and I put off joining the track team until the middle of my sophomore year. Waiting so long is one of my biggest regrets in high school. It’s probably not too late to join fall cross country right now, but it will be really soon. </p>
<p>“Where do you run?” We have a track at the school where we do timed workouts, and we have a park and a few neighborhoods where we do our long runs. That’s fairly typical for a high school team.</p>
<p>“I feel like people look at guys jogging weirdly” Yeah, they do. Luckily, you only have to wear the REALLY slutty clothes during official races where everybody will be runners. I’ve seen daisy dukes longer than my track uniform. As long as you don’t go far from the course/track, you won’t too many weird looks. I once walked almost a mile through downtown Indianapolis in my uniform after a race to get lunch. Never again.</p>
<p>Outdoor track was a great experience freshman year! I hope do it again junior year when my schedule is laid back. I was the slowest person on my JV team, but as long as I (and anyone) imagines themselves as the best runner they can be, you will PR a lot! Trust me, I Pr’d several times in the month I was in track. :)</p>
<p>I do track every year as a hurdler (best in JV at 300M! I’m not a sporty person so this is a big accomplishment for me. Hoping to place Varsity this year).</p>
<p>I’ve been contemplating about doing XC (although they’re already far into pre-season for getting in shape, and well, I’m not in shape AT ALL) but ahhhhh I’m pretty intimidated.</p>
<p>XC runner here. I’m pumped for my second year of it (I didn’t join until my junior year sadly), but I’ve been out the past couple days with an IT band injury. I’m a little worried about that actually, because I had to deal with that last year too, an it kept me out of two meets.</p>
<p>Aw, that sucks, 000Chet. Last year when I came back from spring break I ended up getting shin splints that pretty much sidelined me for the rest of the season. That’s what I got for being lazy over spring break.</p>
<p>
During track practice, on the track. Otherwise I just run around my neighborhood. I run alone when I’m at home.</p>
<p>Never really considered that guys get weird looks more than girls but I guess you guys are right…I’m just used to runners walking around in short shorts.</p>