The Runner Commandments

Not too long ago, Darlene posted Joe Kelly’s Commandments.  I had never come across these before and I love them!  I highlighted my favorites- oh, and enjoy the commentary:)

 

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners. (This should be the #1 commandment for life!)

2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.

3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.

4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone. (On my first “group” run, I was left behind.  It took me months to try it again.)

5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself. (Another good lesson for life.)

6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.

7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times. (So true…nobody likes a braggart!)

8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride. (This was clearly written before cell phones!)

9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.

10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others. (I have to constantly remind myself of this!)

11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run. (This is a main reason why I workout BEFORE work!)

12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.

13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner. (But never forget, anyone CAN be a runner.)

14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there. (This is never more clear than after an injury!)

15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.

16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.

17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.

18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe. (Untrue in the blog world- we don’t mind!)

19. Don’t always run alone.

20. Don’t always run with people.

21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it. (Wait, doesn’t it?)

22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.

23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.

24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast. (Your real competition is yourself!)

25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.

26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.

27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.

28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow. (Running a race with someone is so much fun- I highly recommend it!)

29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.

30. There is nothing boring about running.  There are, however, boring people who run.

31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.

32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better. (Gee, now I am excited about marathon training!)

33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.

34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.

35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.

36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often. (If you sign up for races that I am signed up for, you will likely deal with rain, hail or ridiculous heat!)

37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started. (Make the list no matter what.  Keep this list on your fridge.)

38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.

39. Without goals, training has no purpose.

40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.

41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies. (Hmmm…I aged-up this year, guess I’ll see if it is true!)

42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.

43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.

44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate. (Don’t hold yourself to any standard but your own.)

45. “Winning” means different things to different people. (Pretty much what this blog is all about!)

46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.

47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.

48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.

49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.

50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.

51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them. (OMG, do I know this!!!)

52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.

53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.  (Enjoy them all. You are lucky to have every run [or bike, or swim!])