Runners vs Joggers

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

One of the Undefeated Running readers emailed me this weekend to ask me, "What I had against joggers?" Even though he considered himself a runner (a Boston Qualifier and long distance runner even without a race) he felt that I shouldn't exclude joggers. He is right.

I need to clarify the Undefeated Running view of a "runner" vs. a "jogger".  To me, a runner is someone that simply loves to run no matter how fast or slow they are going. There is a difference between a runner and running; and a jogger and jogging. A runner can jog, a jogger can run, both can walk and a walker can at least jog, right? So it is about mentality when running or jogging that makes one a runner. However, this person made me realize that if someone hasn't found their running consciousness yet we should help them find it instead of excluding them from the club.

Personally, I am a pretty slow runner and I was even slower when I started running... some, most and I would even say I was jogging. For the first year of my running career mentally, I was a jogger too. I wasn't really into it and I was doing it just for health reasons. After about a year I noticed a shift in my consciousness. I started setting goals to reach longer distances (6 miles, 7 miles, 10, etc).  I became a runner in the most beat up moments when I would think to myself, "There is no way in hell I am stopping." I never stopped. After a while I started to love "the run" and the challenge it posed. That is when I became a runner. A runner loves "the run", the challenge and the struggle you must overcome. Was there always a runner inside of me or was it something that I created from jogging? I believe it was always inside. You must love the journey more than the destination to be a runner.

What about runners that are joggers in a fast disguise? It seems that when most people talk about a jogger vs a runner it is a one way debate about whether or not slower runners are considered runners. There are many fast runners out there, even Boston or NYC Qualifiers who are joggers. Are you and your emotions attached to your watch? Is it all about the finish line, the medal or the bragging rights? Let go of the timing, pacing, and heart monitoring devices, water bottles, extra gear, organized races and the ego (at least for a handful of runs a month!). Run for the sake of running. Like my new friend Sam (the one who wrote to me) said, "I can run 26.2 anytime of the week-I got it on my route."

Becoming a runner made me a better person. Undefeated Running is here to bring out the runner inside everyone.

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

WE ARE NOT JOGGERS.

Pearl Izumi steps it up with a hot ad campaign and a new delivery method! Check out this article. I became a fan of Pearl Izumi when a fellow runner friend gave me a pair of PI Shorts. The company makes a bunch of gear for running, bicycling, and triahtlons. Check out their site dedicated to running: www.wearenotjoggers.com

New LA Marathon Route

Being a native San Franciscan I have never been a real big fan of LA. Although, it is a fun place to visit. Check out the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Be sure to book a poolside room! I looked into running their marathon a couple of years ago but it seemed like the LA drivers won the battle over the necessary road closures and the route suffered because of it. However, the LA Marathon announced today that they switched things up a bit for their 25th anniversary. The new route looks pretty awesome! I'll definitely be down there to run it in the next couple of years... although all that smog can't be healthy to run through.

Santa!! Are you out there!? Can you hear me!? Do you read my blog!?!

This WATCH, the Garmin Forerunner 405CX is awesome! Santa, I've been good this year!! What this watch can do: GPS-enabled sport watch
heart rate-based calorie computation, automatic sync, wireless data sharing, high-sensitivity receiver, courses feature, advanced workouts, rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Brooks and Hansons Running Shop teamed up to start the ODP (Original Distance Project) and made some cool gear to go with.

Their GOAL is to bring the US back to the top of distance running. You can show your support by sporting some of the cool running GEAR they made... I'm waiting for the jacket!

Want to Run Faster?

Here's a great article on hill sprints. It breaks down why they are so effective for your training and suggests timing, inclines and repetitions.

Two Awesome Marathons on Different Sides of the US

The Stinson Beach Marathon in Marin County this Saturday is probably one of the most beautiful and hilly marathons you can find. In North Carolina, the OBX Marathon is this Sunday. OBX stands for the Outer Banks (it took me a while to learn that being from the west coast.) This is also an extremely scenic marathon but flat so get out there and set some PR's! 

Not American Enough? F@&K OFF!

So apparently there is some dissent (link to Miami Herald article) about Meb Keflezighi being the first American to win the NYC Marathon since 1982. "People" (and I think I found some of these people, see below and be sure to check their spelling.) feel that he is not American enuff... hmmm, i'm willing to bet that most of these people are not even 1/50th Native American. Who are they to say that someone is not American enough? What is American anyway? Hopefully, it's someone like Meb showing number 1's with his fingers while crossing the NYC Marathon finish line... and not these people (be sure to click on the pics so you can read their signs)

Peanut Butter and Avocados!!

Peanut Butter (and almond butter and nuts in general) and Avocados are excellent endurance and recovery foods. Most of you probably know this but for the ones that don't now you do! I always eat peanut butter and/or avocados on days that i will be doing longer runs. Since I have been doing this I have noticed a significant improvement especially once I get into the higher mileage. For me that is upwards of 13 miles. The protein, mono and poly-unsaturated fat is what makes these foods great. Here is a link to one nutritionist Top 10 Foods for Endurance. Here's a link to Peanut Butter as Running Food. And here's a link to Avocados.org if you want to get up on your avo-knowledge or just vibe about with some great avo-pics and people.

Monday Evening Run

I went for a pretty awesome sunset/dusk run last night. I decided to try something new and carry my camera with me so I could post the pics on the blog. It was a lot of fun and something I will continue to do. If you haven't picked up on it yet, I live in San Francisco which is one of the best running cities/regions in the world. I drove to the Marina and ran from Crissy Field to Sea Cliff and back. Pics are in chronological order. Click HERE for the Map!

Me and my favorite trail shoes Brooks Cascadia...

Trail shoes in action...

Came back over the hill to an awesome moon rise over the bay...

After this pic, I dropped down to that trail below and ran along it back to my car.

Happy Halloween!!! Don't be shy... throw your costume on before you run today.

Check out these folks for some inspiration...

Online Running Journal

Check out this sweet SITE that will help you document your runs. Lost motivation? Check your running journal from the last marathon training you completed to catch the bug again. I make a note or two about what I was thinking about on each run. It's interesting to see what you used as "mental fuel" for runs in the past. Isn't there a saying... "To know your future you must know your past."

The Final 2009 Nike Women's Marathon Pics

Enjoy! See you next year! Washington DC Marine Corps Marathon pics are coming next week!!! If you think we got your pic but it's not on the site please send us an email at undefeatedrunning@gmail.com and we will try and help get it to you. Also, please click on the pics for a larger image and feel free to right click or control click if you're on a mac to save to your computer. Thanks!

North Face Endurance Challenge

Growing up in San Francisco and spending a lot of winter time in Lake Tahoe I have a always been a big North Face fan. If you are into or want to get into some serious trail running check out the North Face Endurance Challenge. They offer training groups with all star coaches in each region. Has anyone ran in one of these events?

Pace Bands

If you've run a marathon recently you have probably seen people wearing or seen the booth at the expo for pace bands. Get yours HERE!

More SF Nike Marathon Pics

Here's some more pics to get you through a Monday and your recovery. Still more to come!!! :)