Addicted to Running?

An addiction is defined as something you are dependent on, or something you couldn't give up. Of course these aren't the only parameters for an addiction but they are certainly the main facets. Could you give up running? How often have you found yourself with a small injury, one that needs a few weeks rest, and eventually buckled under the boredom and gone out for even a small run - telling yourself "it's okay I'm only running a slow couple of miles"?

I would be lying if I said I've never gone against physio's orders and ran on an injury, I know it makes the injury worse but the idea of losing fitness is something that often fills me with nervous anxiety. Well the first step on the road to cure is admitting you have an addiction!

"My name is Richard Beech and I'm a running addict."

But what's the issue? The side effects of our addiction include:

Healthy heart and body;
Daily fresh air;
Reaching aspirations, targets and personal goals;
The necessity to eat a balanced diet;
Meeting like-minded runners at clubs and events.

The problem is that any addiction has negative effects, you may not even realise that these negative effects exist. Sport encourages the body to release feel-good hormones, but some athletes can become disheartened and even depressed if they are not reaching their targets or goals. This doesn't happen to all of us, but I've certainly had my low points and I feel it's a case of taking the good with the bad, rolling with the punches so-to-speak. For many running becomes more than an evening or weekend activity, it becomes a lifestyle to fully embrace and be proud of. When you peg so much hope and time on that shiny new personal best, it can be crushing if you don't set it, even worse if you pick up an injury and your sport is taken away from you.

My suggestion to avoid these ruts is simple. If you find yourself becoming dis-illusioned with your training, implement one very slow, scenic, medium distance run to your training every week. Take in your surroundings, leave the stopwatch and iPod at home, and remind yourself why you started running in the first place - because it makes you feel great.

Updates on Life.... and that

Long long time since i last wrote on this, that's because I've been very busy, like a busy bee... before our changing climate caused them all to die. A huge shame because as runners will know, honey is not only tasty but also a super food.

Anyway, I currently have SWINE FLU (a typo of SWINE FLU, is SWINE FLY - a flying pig...), it's not that bad really, just aches and pains, stiff... neck, sore throat, I want to go for a run sooo badly. Just before i caught the disease I recorded a 42 minute 10k, my best ever. Was very happy with that and plan to get that down to 40 minutes by september. I've decided to use this week for physio though, I have an annoying injury but am almost over it now, this makes me feel a tiny bit invincible which is dangerous becuase that's how i got the injury... "I CAN RUN DOWN HILLS REALLY FAST.... OUCH."

In non running related news, I have started a band with my dear friend Timothy, we aren't very good but I cant name many bands who are at the moment so it doesn't matter. I've been recording alot of music recently, but I spilled a pint of water on my laptop and now its dead so no more recording for me. I've been seeing a girl who is three years younger than me, police sirens suddenly scare me. Also I've been watching a lot of tour de france, it's totally taken me in, those guys are absolutely incredible athletes. I thought to myself... they must be super fit, machine-like. So i started cycling... whaddya know?! Most of my running times have improved by about 4 or 5%

Finally, I've just got a writing job, I don't even have my degree yet. I can't write. My, Grammar. Is awful - joking.. what?

Bonsoir.