San Francisco Marathon: Golden Gate Challenge II
Rain or Shine
By Diane Rudholm
Sundays are my long training days for running the San Francisco Marathon this July. Sunday was a 14 miler. Sunday’s weather also happened to be rainy, windy and generally unpleasant. According to the weather report that morning it was also 100 percent humidity – basically oceanic.
Running outside sounded awful, and my motivation wasn’t in the place it needed to be to take on the elements with any level of enthusiasm – not for one mile, and certainly not for 14. I knew that if I got too close to a coffee shop I would cut my run short. There are at least 10 coffee shops within a mile of my home. (Ah, Seattle…) So, in an effort to stay disciplined, I dropped into the gym to run on a treadmill for a few hours.
Here are my findings: Running more than, say, five miles on a treadmill is mind-numbingly boring — even if you are on some of the best equipment in the world (which I was), and even if said equipment provides myriad distractions, like an enormous touch screen, fantastic trail simulations, training programs and internet (which mine did). It’s just not the same as running outside.
I like running for the sake of running. I do. But, I also like running because it is fun to find new routes in the city and on trails, to people watch and take detours and to look at cool-looking plants, graffiti, trains or anything else.
I like being able to pace myself based on what my body feels instead of staring at numbers on a screen while I stomp mechanically on a whirring belt. I like running because it makes me feel more human. It makes me feel free. It provides a bit of adventure and exploration that everyday tasks don’t usually provide.
Running in place on a treadmill — even a very fancy treadmill — does not provide those same feelings of freedom, adventure or exploration. Not at all. It makes me feel like hollering about how bored I am to a room full of strangers. That’s what it does.
Sundays are my husband’s long days, too, training-wise. He wouldn’t dream of running inside for as long as I did (or really for any length of time at all). He ran in the wind and the rain on
Sunday. He had a view of the water, boats and other adventurous runners. And, while he actually did cut his run short so he could be dry and warm, he had a lot more fun than I did.
The weather forecast for next weekend isn’t looking too promising (Ah, Seattle…), but I can tell you one thing: I’m running outside anyway. It might be chilly and uncomfortable at times, but at least I know it won’t be dull.
Less than 12 weeks go to until the San Francisco Marathon! Learn more at www.thesfmarathon.com
Diane Rudholm is the managing editor and social media manager of OutdoorsNW. Check in for more San Francisco Marathon training highlights on the first Tuesday of each month. Have questions or comments? Send an email or tweet @OutdoorsNWmag
Other posts about the San Francisco Marathon. . .
>> I. Up the hill!
>> II. Rain or Shine
>> III. Shift, improve and grow
>> IV. San Francisco or bust!
