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Ode to a Runner's Heart! 

2/14/2013

13 Comments

 
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In honor of Valentine's Day I thought it would be fun to reflect a little bit on what running teaches us about love.  While at first glance Love and Running can seem to be polar opposites (even runners gloat that "our sport is your sport's punishment"), running truly has a lot to teach about this lovely subject.  I met Brittany through running, so obviously love and running cannot possibly be very far apart.
 
Loving even the tough parts - Ask almost any non-runner and they will tell you that they "hate" running.  They claim that no matter how much they try they will never enjoy it.  The mistake here of course is being afraid of the pain.  Long runs, speed workouts, pushing through limits - they all require a certian amount of pain.  But runners know that the joy derived from running is worth every ounce of struggle.  If someone new to running can commit to running everyday for 2 weeks (even just a little bit) they would taste the fondness that grows with time.  In the same way, relationships only grow more powerful with time.  They are not unlike long runs - feeling amazing in the beginning, really have to focus and concentrate in the middle, and then pick up speed again towards the end. In Love and Running it pays to remembering that this is what you LOVE to do (and this is the person you LOVE) even though it might be painful for a moment.  As Yoda once said, "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds" (on second thought I believe that one is from Shakespeare ;)

Patience - In running, listening to your body is a key to effective training.  Every mile you run is a gradual achievement of your goals but progress can sometimes be slow.  For the last 5 years my relationship with Brittany has almost constantly been long distance.  Anyone who has done long distance knows that it can be trying but that the time together is so cherished, making it all worth it.  Right after we began dating in April, Brittany went away to Japan for language training.  She got back in the nick of time for the 2008 Olympic Trails and then was there to send me off to the Olympics in Beijing, China (my first international race!).  After the Olympics I went to Africa for a few months to bring my youngest brothers, Alex and Peter, to America (one of my proudest achievements!!).  As soon as I returned, I took Brittany to the airport for a semester in Nagasaki, Japan.  When she returned she competed for and won the Rhodes Scholarship and was off again to Oxford (one of the things I am most proud of her for!).  And you get the point...  All of this was a HUGE learning experience in patience and communication (thank heavens for Skype!).  Not unlike learning to listen to your body, Learning to listen to the person you love, is the fuel of a successful relationship.  Every mile between us is just another opportunity to run toward each other.  All is not "fair" in love and war (well I don't know much about war, but sometimes that's what racing feels like ;).  It's amazing what patience can do to level the playing field....
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Running Tip #4: Love what you do!  Positive reinforcement during and after runs improves your mood and positive thoughts promote better health and recovery - Job well done!!
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Cherishing- Every runner has heard of the "runner's high" and any obsessive runner has come to know they are addicted to incredible sense of euphoria that surges through the body at the end of a long run or a hard workout.  We can thank endorphins for the instant euphoria.  The long term sense of satisfaction and joy that runners feel is thanks to having achieved something that challenges limits and pushes boundaries.  Love is not that different - there is the instant satisfaction (the initial "infactuation" over your crush or the pleasure you get when you hear the words -"I love you").  Most of these feelings play on the "chemistry" beteween you and the person you love.  But then there is the sense of peace, compassion, joy that only comes from a relationship tested by challenges and trials. A Tanzanian proverb says, "That which is good is never finished."  These warm feelings have nothing to do with pleasure but instead result from a love truly cherished.

13 Comments
Geoffrey
2/14/2013 08:40:44 am

Lopez,
This is one truly amazing blog of script you got here. I love it! In-fact am printing it!
Thank you very much for an enriching, insightful and vivid comparison!

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Lopez Lomong link
2/15/2013 04:22:43 am

Geoffrey -
Thank you so much for your message and your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the post and I hope it continues to inspire you. Have a great day!
Lopez

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Tommy
2/14/2013 12:09:45 pm

Well said, my friend and brother in Christ.

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Linna
2/14/2013 01:27:05 pm

So sweet - a beautiful blog post, and good lessons to remember about running and relationships!

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Joe "Jotini" Gray
2/14/2013 02:18:09 pm

Thanks Lopez!! You just cured me from my "Hate Running" I was at the Skydome today with my son to watch Lumberjack Brian Schrader go 3:59.55 in the mile! Happy Valentine's Day to you from a huge fan in Flagstaff. Myself & 8 year old son went to the track meet for part of our Birthday celebration. Go Jacks!!

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Lopez Lomong link
2/15/2013 04:26:31 am

Joe -
Thanks for the message and thanks for the support from my second home in Flagstaff. Thanks for supporting the Jacks track program and for cheering all of us on. I'm glad that my post inspired you and I hope to have you and your son in my cheering section sometime soon. Have a great day and Happy belated Birthday.
Lopez

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Lauren Fleshman link
2/14/2013 03:26:47 pm

That was beautiful Lopez. So many parallels in my own life with Jesse, and I love the proverbs. Happy Valentines Day to you both.

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Lopez Lomong link
2/15/2013 04:28:26 am

Lauren -
Thanks for the comment. I feel so lucky to have Brittany supporting me in what I do and I am sure you understand the feeling. It is so fun to share these amazing experiences with someone great. I hope you and Jesse had a great Valentine's too.
Lopez

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Lopez Lomong link
2/15/2013 04:24:05 am

Tommy and Linna -
Thank you so much for your comments. I am glad that you enjoyed the post. Thanks so much for following me and cheering me on.
Lopez

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Christian
2/15/2013 11:34:56 pm

Lopez,
I just finished your book and it has inspired me to get back into training for long distance running. I don't think it was by chance I picked up your book on running and you being a follower of Christ. I'm looking forward to keeping up on your blog from now on.

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Rene
9/10/2013 05:47:45 am

I work in a high school library where I noticed your book. I had to take it home last night and finish it. What a great read and so inspirational. I too am a fellow Catholic Christian and love your faith and belief in God. Amazing things do happen with the power of prayer. I am going to get some high school kids to read this book.

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Morgan link
5/14/2014 04:39:01 am

Thank you to recommend this site, so I have since agitated and excited a good article is like a glass of wine. We drink more flavor. And more and more like it. You are great! Thank you!

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Nicola
10/10/2014 08:30:44 am

Lopez,

thank you for sharing such an amazing and inspiring story. I loved your book, which is very life changing..i went through all the emotions..smiling,crying and even laughing out loud. I am very inspired and motivated to start running again, 100m sprint however.. but running is running .
Cant thank you enough..lots of love

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