The Joy of Running

Coming to the finish line: Krakow Marathon, May 2014

I was watching the TED talk with Amy Cuddy who claimed that having outstretched arms is a type of non-verbal communication that shows confidence (http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en). She goes on to explain how faking certain postures not only lead to making people seem like you are confident, but these displays actually make you more confident. 

April 2014, Orlen Warsaw Marathon.  Completing first marathon of the year.

Nevertheless, I’ve never considered myself an overconfident creature; however, I seem to look confident when I run.  I think it's because I'm just truly happy. 
When I run I feel the same sense of accomplishment that all runners feel when crossing the finish line or just being part of a big race(like a marathon).  It is one of those feelings that is hard to put into words to non-runners.  Yet, looking at us runners doing our running thing, it’s hard to ignore the fact that we look so darn happy when we are exhausting ourselves.  Our smiles or emotive displays of achievement don’t require words.  To people who don't run it probably seems odd.  However, that’s how it is.  Running is an absolute joy for me, and  I’ve noticed countless other runners showing their lust for life as well by giving high fives, cheering with the supporters along the streets and encouraging other runners to keep moving as well.  So I'm not alone here. There is something truly magical about the spirit of the sport that makes me and probably countless others happy.  I don’t know if it makes me more confident as a person, but looking at the pictures from four marathons I've been part of this year, I seem to at least fake it when I run.  

5k from the finish in Poznan, October 2014

 Ironically, in my view, the happiest I look is from the Wroclaw Marathon (pictured at the bottom).  This was my worst finishing time this year.  I guess it isn’t always about being great,  it's just accomplishing something great.

Smiling 12k into Wroclaw Marathon

Long Trail Runs

  

I can't say enough about getting out in Nature during the weekend.

One of the most useless questions one can ask a runner is why he or she runs.  There are many suitable reasons like physical or mental health benefits, guilt free eating and drinking, less stress, weight loss, etc.  However, for me anyway, an honest reason would ironically be impossible to provide.  I just know that the more I run, the more I enjoy running.    Thus, the more I enjoy running, the more I find myself crawling out of bed early; dashing outside, rain, snow or shine, and enthusiastically signing up for races. The more frequently I sign up for races by the way, the longer the distances are.   Now I am running marathons and with the Warsaw Orlen Marathon coming up soon, I have been spending a few hours on Sundays in Warsaw getting more kilometers in.  There’s plenty of space as well.  What is great about living in Warsaw is the amount of park space.  So instead of looking at a long run like it's a long training session, I have happily created a traditional long Sunday trail run around various parks in Warsaw.  Despite living in the capital, I am able to run as much as I want while only crossing one or two intersections.  That’s not bad if you live in a city, right?  Anyway, in the run up to a marathon, it’s nice to have something to look forward to before the big race to break up the tension.  It’s just important to bring enough water as no volunteers are willing to help anyone in training runs.  Anyway, the best thing about these runs is the scenery,  as some of my pics from my jaunts around the North part of Warsaw show.

Run right along the river in Warsaw. Just don't fall in!

there's me getting in the way of the view.

2104 Warsaw Half

Off to a good start through the old town of Warsaw

My surprising transformation into a runner happened after completing the 2012 Warsaw Half Marathon.  Trotting across the finish line two hours and seven minutes after I started the race, I felt like I had achieved something really significant.  I was tired.  I remember passengers hearing my sighs on the tram after the race.  I remember my knees hurting as I slowly edged down the stairs to the metro.  I remember coming home with my first medal and feeling hungry.   This was the race that introduced me to running.  Despite being tired on that day, after running the Warsaw Half, I immediately knew that I was ready for more.

One of our pre-race traditions, the WITC photo

pushing on through close to 20k

Fast forward two years, and the Warsaw Half has come and gone again.   Like most of the Warsaw Halfs (with the exception of last year’s frigid temperatures) the weather was nice and there were plenty of supportive fans to cheer me on.  What was different this time though is that I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:34:52—more than 30 minutes faster than in 2012.   Instead of taking the race slowly, I really pushed myself and carried on with a pace of about 4:35/km. Also, I had my gang of runners from Warsaw International Club (WITC) to run with.  It’s always good to have friends to run with.  Anyway, the half marathon is always a fun way to get ready for the full marathons that are starting up in the coming weeks and months in 2014.   Go to the Warsaw Half  Marathon video here.

GP Warszawa

Smiles after a successful race

Like most European cities, Warsaw is a hectic place.  It’s no surprise that there’s traffic, crowded buses, sardine tin packed trams, and a lot of busy people caught up in the daily grind of racing to get to home or  to the office.    What is even more frustrating in Warsaw are the cold winters.  Life can be a bit of a bummer sometimes for a native small town Californian in a busy city on a snowy January day.  What is refreshing though is that spring truly is fantastic here.  Additionally, Warsaw has so many parks, which is a huge bonus for us runners.  On the North and South ends of the city are a plethora of trails through large shady forests that are wonderful places to escape the daily craziness and to chalk up a few miles.  With all of these favorable conditions, it’s no coincidence that Warsaw has a great 10k race series called GP Warszawa.  It’s a series of ten races through a handful of parks in Warsaw.  This is something I always look forward to.  Also, as the races are on Saturdays, I sort of feel like I am a kid again and I get that giddy sensation like I when I used to go to my little league games.  So it’s a great spiritual lift after a cold winter.

Smiles because of a completed race and warmer weather!

Most cities have their share of races.   However, what is interesting about the Warsaw GP is that it is only through parks in Warsaw.  Not only that, it’s a only a small group of runners that turn out which makes the atmosphere incredibly relaxed; come often and you start to recognize the regulars.   Despite the breezy personalities of the people who do turn up, it does get a little competitive at times, but with the warmer weather it's a great opportunity to work on improving one's time.  However, it’s more about being outside and getting some exercise with your friends.  In the end, that's what it's all about. It’s great to live in a place that has all of this in such an accessible way.  For a person who doesn’t always like busy places, it’s good to have such an outlet.

Run for your Doughnuts

Order those doughnuts! February 27, Fat 

Thursday

Record time consumption before a run 

One of the reasons I run is that I love to eat.  Running makes eating guilt free.   Today was no exception, but I did push the limits a bit.  Anyway, on February 27 this year in Poland is “tlusty Czwartek,” which means “fat Thursday.”  This is the day that puts the word guilt  in guilt-free eating to the test.  It is essentially a Christian tradition that is observed on the final Thursday before Lent.  In Poland and several other European countries the day is celebrated by buying jam-filled doughnuts called “paczki,” in Polsih.  Delicately frosted and jam-filled, they are simply divine.   Also, you can find them everywhere.   That is why I decided to grab a few just a couple of steps from my apartment before a short eight kilometer jaunt around Park Mlocinski today.  I normally eat a banana before a short run as I tend to avoid doughnuts because they are quite sweet, but exceptions are to be made from time to time.  So I made an exception and inhaled two before my run.  The wonderful flavor melted in my mouth, but in my selfish haste to finish my paczki the jam exploded on my pants.  Regardless, they tasted great. I even benefited from the extra blast of sugar during my run.  I might have to make this exception again sometime soon.  Go get your doughnuts and run!  Better run for your doughnuts!