The old adage, the loneliness of the long distance runner. What keeps a runner running, year after year?

For the past 28 months I have been able to maintain a streak of running at least 100 miles each month. Then last week I thought it had ended abruptly with a fractured foot! I wasn’t upset about my modest streak ending as I was about spending the next 9 weeks in a rigid boot! Turns out, I did not fracture a bone, but I did need to take a few days off from running. Then it got me to think, I actually do have a very long running streak! I have been running in some form or another dating back to my junior high school days in 1965! This led me to think further, how is it that I have been able to endure this sport for 60 years now? I call it a different type of endurance.

I took a clumsy slip and fall during a run a few years ago and was surprised to learn that I fractured a bone in my foot!

When you think of a long-distance runner you think of endurance. Someone who runs a certain long distance over a length of time. But there is also a different type of endurance in running and that’s measured in consistency. It’s not about any single run but rather a series of various single runs, ran over and over again. Runners often refer to this as their “streak”. There are all sorts of streaks runners use to challenge themselves. I am not a believer in most running streaks as they can be harmful to the runner. This is especially when the runner becomes obsessed with maintaining any level of streak. What I am in favor of is long term endurance, as measured in many years if not most of one’s lifetime too.

Me, spring track season at Grand Blanc High School, 1969.

My running career dates back to 1965 when in junior high school, I discovered the sport that I did best. I need to confess here, while I ran quite well in high school and was honored to be a part of one of the best high school distance teams in Michigan. However, my running became inconsistent during my college years and shortly thereafter. Frankly, it was hampered by not having access to purchase quality running shoes and related gear back in those days! Yet I never lost the urge to get back to the days of running long miles along beautiful country roads like I did as a runner for Grand Blanc High School.

Hard work and a great group of friends paid off.

It wasn’t until a few years after I married and we had two young daughters that in 1983, I discovered a newly formed running club in my town, the Novi Trackers and the rest is history. It took a group of other runners for me to keep me motivated and reignite my competitive running career.

Since 1983 I have competed in too many races to count. My best guess is that I average about 6 races a year so it’s probably safe to say I have run over 250 races. Included in this count are 12 marathons (including Boston, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Traverse City, and Raleigh), over 50 half marathons, 38 Crim 10 Mile races, and countless races of shorter distances. Up until a few years ago I would also typically finish in the top 10 percent of the field. For the past 15 years or so, I have often had a podium finish competing in my Age Group. My best guess is that during this period I have also run enough miles to run around the world twice!

Just a small sampling of my running log collection dating back to 1983 thru to today.

So, what is the so called “secret sauce” to be able to not only run many miles but to also run them very well now as I approach my 74th birthday? It’s really simple. Yes, simple. To repeat, it’s simple. That is, many runners, especially the veteran runner, tends to overthink their running and in today’s world with satellite trackers, heart rate monitors, and slew of non-ending free advice available on the web, it’s easy for runners to get trapped too deep into the analytical side of running. Just keep it simple.

Five keys to how I keep my running simple:

·Have only a very broad and general plan for each year. The plan includes a spring, summer, and fall focused race with other races filling when and as necessary.
Minimized running marathons. When you do complete a marathon, lose the marathon mindset. At least for a year. Avoid very long runs. There is a wealth of other races to enjoy.
At the end of the year relax and recoup. Cut back during November and the final two weeks in December. The first two weeks in December gear up a bit more, but not too much. To counter this one, I also try to run at least 10 miles every New Year’s Day, weather permitting.
Never run more than 5 days in a row. I have a very long streak (over 30 years) of NOT running every day of the week!
Run with friends and/or a group that supports you and fits your style.

That’s basically it. I said it was simple. These are the five simple keys that keep me healthy run and enjoy my running lifestyle.

Those are my keys. Next, how to execute these keys. The details to running long, far, and healthy will be published in my next blog post. Look for Redefining Endurance Part Two: The Details next week.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I look forward to seeing your feedback and comments. If you would like to also learn more about my coaching services for adult runners, please comment below too.

Coach Lee