Go Run In This… An Intro

Hello and thank you for reading. My name is Rodney and I’ve been at this running thing in various forms since I was in 7th grade. Was never very good and it could be argued that I’m still not. As a junior in high school, I just wanted to pole vault but they made me run the 800, too. The 800 is not a good way to keep a kid interested in running.

Honestly, running was the thing I did to catch a frisbee or to attempt a lay up on the basketball court or to get my backhand around on the tennis court and not something I would do to just do unless it was once in a while to remind me how I did not really enjoy running.

Fast forward to my late 20’s and a friend of mine who was a fellow gym rat says he’s running a half marathon that upcoming weekend. I didn’t even know how far that was. He tells me 13.1 miles and this sounds crazy enough to my 28 year old brain that I decide to run it with him despite never running more than maybe 5 miles at once. I show up that morning with him and run the 1998 Philadelphia Distance Run as a bandit. Finished just beyond 2 hours. I couldn’t walk right for a week but had that thought of, “I could do better than that.”

That’s all it took.

Being the genius and superb athlete that I am, I know that if I actually train that I would do way better the next time around. So in September of 2000 I sign up and run that same race. This time it takes me 3 hours and 22 seconds and was 6426th out of 6474 finishers. My knee gave out and I was humbled.

This becomes a running thread throughout my career. *pun intended

Since that first half marathon over 20 years ago, I have experienced much on my own with well over 200 races under my belt in that time including everything from 5ks to 100 miles and even a few Boston Marathons. I have also watched and listened to friends while doing my best to learn from their experiences, too. Highs, lows, peaks, valleys, health and injuries are all a part of this running thing. That goes for someone attempting their first race or someone who is actually sponsored.

With all of this said, I will do what I can to try to help others in some way. That’s the point of this blog. One thing I will try to make a priority is that most of what I will write will be as a suggestion for you to consider. It’s my take that much of running is up to the individual who will be doing the actual running. It may be something to help with your running or perhaps something to help your attitude towards running and beyond.

But as the name of this blog states, Go Run In This. Running takes GRIT and it also makes for a perfect acronym. Of the endless running sayings, one that is apt would be how there is no bad weather to run in and only bad wardrobe selections. Within reason, you can run outside in anything. I have gone out in a hurricane in boardshorts. In a blizzard with ski goggles. 118 degrees in the desert. Ran to the top of a 14er in Colorado and also a 24 hour race in August in Philadelphia in extreme humidity. Dress accordingly, plan accordingly, be smart, be safe and you’ll be fine.

Much more to follow along these lines. I hope you enjoy my ramblings and don’t forget…

Go Run In This.