Saturday, August 7, 2010

Tuning In

A lot of runners have a mantra or certain songs that boost their running. These are three of my favorites.

When I have a hard time convincing myself to get out the door, I think of the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:

Put one foot in front of the other,
And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking out the door

It’s amazing how often those words have gotten me to move. And once I’m out there, I always wonder why it was so hard to get going. On my longer runs, I changed the lyrics to Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds, and this is what goes through my mind:

When running laps - turn, turn, turn
Out on the track - turn, turn, turn
Or running the trails, the road, or the golf courses

A time to be fast, a time to be slow
A time to train, a time to race
A time to rest, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

When running laps - turn, turn, turn
Out on the track - turn, turn, turn
Or running the trails, the road, or the golf courses

A time to build, a time to taper
A time to rejoice, a time to mourn
A time to cast away shoes
A time to buy brand new gear

When running laps - turn, turn, turn
Out on the track - turn, turn, turn
Or running the trails, the road, or the golf courses

A time of cold, a time of heat
A time of gels, a time of PRs
A time you may DNF
A time to drink down those electrolytes

When running laps - turn, turn, turn
Out on the track - turn, turn, turn
Or running the trails, the road, or the golf courses

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to stretch, a time to massage
A time to love, a time to hate
Any time of day, I swear it's not too late!

Because I live on a mountain pass, I have a lot of hills. I can’t help but rock out to Spinning Wheel, by Blood, Sweat and Tears, and the lyrics I’ve created:

What goes up must come down
All those hills you can’t go around
Thinking about your knee pain it's a crying sin
Run like a wild pony
Let the running legs spin

You got no partners, and you, you got no dog
Training runs are sometimes a job
Thinking about your warm bed and you, you never learn
Run like a wild pony
Let the running legs turn

Did you find a directing sign
On the quiet and lonely long run?
Won’t you wear a friendly smile
Just let it shine through all the miles
And show the world you’re a runner for real

That finish line is waiting just for you
Running legs are running true
Drop your competition, by the river side
Run like a wild pony
Get your second wind, child

That PR is waiting just for you
Running legs are running true
Pick up the pace, by the river side
Run like a wild pony
Let the running legs fly

These little ditties help me through some tough times. I hope they’ll help you too, or at least put a smile on your face!