Fitness Files: Rewards of distance running may be hard for some to understand

Just ran in circles for hours. Eight miles, looping ‘round the high school track — odd behavior, right?

A tiny subset of my peers would feel victory seeing the Garmin watch reach “8.” Speed work complete.

Exit track.

Sweaty, I head home, another tough workout. I celebrate. I did this for myself. Nobody can take it away.

Yet, next week, I’ll arrive at the track overwhelmed — eight miles to go. Every single Thursday, I consider quitting before I start.

Speed work, or “speed play,” is designed to surprise the cardiovascular system.

“Hey, heart, you’re accustomed to a relaxed, 12- to 14-minute pace, are you?”

“Well, take that!”

I run the straightaways at a 6:45-minute pace per mile, then run backward around the curved ends of the track, and then zoom again for 75 feet between stadium light polls. I’ve read that cardio interval training staves off the slowing that comes with age, but I did speed work before I knew that.

Endurance athletes learn to break workouts into segments so we experience many “finishes.” I run four miles of speedy straightaways, then reward myself at the half-done mark with a water stop.

Next I run a mile, noting my mile pace, then 3/4 mile, half mile, and finish with a quarter. With walk breaks between runs, I’m into the seventh mile, which I put away with a few more speedy straightaways.

I respect scientific runners, who read studies and record pace. They’re critiquing my homemade speed work right now. I try hard, and that’s enough for me.

But back to the small subset of people who repeat a behavior that would bore the spandex off the normal population. Why do we enjoy it?

Walking home from a run, I complained to my friend Kim: “I’ve searched the Internet for a scholarly discussion of distance runners’ personalities, and come up empty.”

“Hey, Carrie, you know runners. Ask ‘em.” Kim said.

I did.

Jim: “We start out, sporadic runners, gradually making regular time for running. People call me disciplined because I run, but running made me disciplined.(“

Carlos: “Running’s no different than other hobbies — like sitting on the couch and playing computer games. Both are addictive.”

Catherine: (answering Carlos) “The outcome is different.”

Jill: “Distance runners’ goal setting makes them successful — a genetic predisposition (or flaw depending upon spouse or family’s viewpoint). My supervisor, a runner, understood that the dedication it takes to run a marathon transferred to work. He gave me a promotion.”

Allen: “I do it for the attaboys. Not a very glamorous reason.”

Gregory: “ We’re not defined by how well we do nothing — nor easy things. We’re defined when tested. To be a runner is to make the choice to do something difficult. Like Kennedy said, it’s a challenge ‘we’re unwilling to postpone and intend to win.’”

Murph: “I run. I see things, like today I ran the track. Watched the kids’ soccer tournament. Then I watched the single mothers. I don’t get bored.”

Jim: “Doesn’t get discussed much, but running helps psychological issues. It’s a coping mechanism for alcoholism, drug dependency and depression.”

Tom: “Runners compete but are unguarded about complimenting their competitors. There’s a sense of camaraderie not seen in other sports.”

Jim: “In running groups all over the country, I’ve seen 2:10 marathoners encourage six-hour-finishers. Time goals differ, but respect is shared.”

Ken: “Repeated running is a natural for developing friendships, or for deep thought, or for prayer.”

Turns out runners see running from widely different perspectives, but all would agree with Judy.

Judy: “I get a feeling of freedom when I run — freedom from all the constraints of life.”

A run is all mine.

A feeling of accomplishment.

If nothing else, I can run a few miles.

I run for my health.

It feels good.

Newport Beach resident CARRIE LUGER SLAYBACK is a retired teacher who ran the Los Angeles Marathon at age 70, winning first place in her age group. Her blog is [email protected].