Tim's Running Rules

In the movie “The Untouchables,” Robert DeNiro declares that “A man has to have enthusiasms.”  While his character, Al Capone, had “enthusiasms” that were suspect, the remark is a nugget of truth that contributes to our quality of life. 

I have a number of enthusiasms (or passions) in life.  For the most part they are simple.  One of my enthusiasms, for a season of life, was running.  I was an avid runner for nearly 30 years.  I completed three full marathons in my 40’s, numerous half-marathons and countless other events.  However, the bulk of what I learned came from the joy of daily runs.

During my years running, I developed a set of running rules, based on hard experience and, sometimes, humiliating events.

Here they are, in no particular order:

• Run with friends – there’s no better way to get to know people.

• Don’t antagonize a junk yard dog just because he’s on the other side of a big fence – there may be a hole under that fence you can’t see.
• Late one night near the Memphis airport I ran past a junk yard with a big unhappy dog.  While barking back at the dog, I saw the hole under the fence 10 yards ahead.  I had to turn around and run an extra mile or two to avoid being eaten.

• Never finish behind a fat lady or an old man if pictures are being taken at the finish line.

• Run in the sun.

• Don’t drive 200 miles right after a marathon.
• Your legs won’t work when you try to get out of the car and you’ll have to walk on your elbows. 

• When your wife attempts to give you a ride home because of lightening – take it. 
•  If you make a smart remark like “None of the other guy’s moms are picking them up,” she might let you run in the storm to make her point.

• Spend your money on shoes.
• When your knees hurt, buy new shoes.

• Run in the rain – you won’t melt.

• Make running goals – (speed, time, distance, location) – these are personal achievements that belong solely to you.

• Run to think.

• Make eye contact with drivers – it’s hard to get run over after you make a connection.

• If you get passed by an elderly lady in culottes and deck shoes, you’re running too slow.

• Wear modest shorts, nobody wants to see what should be hidden.

• Never “bulk-up” before a marathon, it’s a bad strategy.

• Never pass up the opportunity to run downhill with a tailwind.
• When I lived in Nevada, I used to run home from church on Sundays – 10 miles, downhill on packed dirt.  There was nothing like it.

• Run in the snow.

• Sucking your gut in when you pass other runners doesn’t fool anyone.

• Wave at other runners – it’s a “salute of respect” and camaraderie.

• Run everywhere, there are few better ways to see new geography than running.

• Watch where you’re going.

• Encourage runners you meet on the road.

• Keep a log or journal of your runs.
• I recorded my last 10-years of runs in a log that is one of my most valuable possessions.  It’s a journal that reflects life-long friendships and life lessons.

Most of all Enjoy Running!