This is what my business card would look like if running was my job.
If running really was a job that I got paid for doing rather than just a hobby/obsession that I do on the side of my actual job, then I would be able to do all the things that professional athletes and coaches suggest to do as a runner. What I mean is, there is so much great advice from other runners and articles in magazines and online that will give you tips on how to be a better runner, but who really has the time to do all of that? From what I have read from runners on twitter, DailyMile and on blogs, it does seem like a fair amount of people do dedicate a lot of time to running, but for others (like myself), it’s hard to be able to follow through on all of the great advice that other runners provide. With that being said, if I actually got paid to run and could focus on it 24/7, I would do/focus all of the following:
- How you run: form, stride/cadence, breathing, workouts (how hard, what pace, when to hold back/push it) – all of this is important to focus on, if only I had a coach to tell me what I’m doing wrong.
- Get enough sleep: it’s recommended to get 8-9 hours for proper recovery of the muslces – I’m lucky if I get 6.
- Eat right/healthy and at the right time: before, during and after a run – I sort of try to eat healthy, but not really
- RICE: ice/heat injuries, ice baths, stretching – I don’t really do any of this, but should.
- Running Gear: shoes, socks, shorts, shirts, garmin/nike+, etc – Although it seems like running is a pretty cheap sport compared to others, if you actually go out and buy all of the stuff mentioned, it adds up!
But I seem to be getting by with the amount of time and effort that I have been putting into running. Hopefully in the near future, I will be able to dedicate even more time to running, but for now I can’t complain.
Here is the quote that I got from my daily Runner’s World Quote of the Day:
“Nonrunners cannot see how they can afford the time to run every day. But runners cannot imagine getting through a single day without it.”
Kevin Nelson, The Runner’s Book of Daily Inspiration