Rules.....

I subscribe to Runner's World and get a daily email with all kinds of helpful information.  My favorite section is the forum.

The other day a fairly new runner had a question about the "10% rule".  For those of you who haven't heard of it, basically the "rule" says you shouldn't increase your mileage by more than 10% a week.  The poster asked if it was okay to increase a single run with 10% of the weekly mileage.  This question sparked a very lengthy argument debate.  One zealous writer pretty much blasted the "rule" saying it should be completely ignored.  One poster actually took it to mean you "should" increase your mileage by 10% every week.

Then there were people like me....who said, "I need rules".  If I had followed this rule when I started out, I don't "think" I would have gotten injured.  Maybe I'm wrong...who knows.  We can't turn back the clock to find out what would have happened, but I know one thing's for sure, I'm going to keep it in mind when I can finally get back out there again.

The whole conversation got me to thinking about rules in general and why it is that I like them (generally speaking).  I think for me, they provide clear boundaries.  When I was younger, those lines were seen more like state lines, begging to be crossed over in order to discover exciting new territory.  Now that I'm a little older, and hopefully wiser, I like to think of them as bowling alley bumpers.  If I can stay inside the lane I'll do much better in this game called life.

What's really important is learning the "rules", and especially what they really mean.  Not just in running...but in every aspect of life.


I know...you can't wait for me to get back to running either, right?

Thanks for stopping in, come again soon.


BTW--I did get some bike shorts-and LOVE THEM.   I actually finished a whole spinning class on Monday without feeling like my nether regions were on fire.  Those veteran spinners were right-one week in the saddle toughened up more than just my leg muscles!  Tomorrow's challenge--an hour spin class followed by "Extreme Abs" (about 15 minutes abs, 15 minutes glutes)....I really don't think I have glutes, but maybe this class will help me find them!!