Last week I was off from work, which meant I had more time for running. It was also a big week for track and field in the Olympics. Talk about inspiring! But all of that had me thinking about what it takes to get to that kind of level of running, and what holds back everyday runners like you and I. What would running be like if we had all the running resources?
By “running resources” I mean time, money, and access to everything we would need. Let’s break this down a little.
If I Had All the Running Resources…
Running Resources: Time
If I had all the time I needed for running, I could plan my running schedule however I wanted. I could do a long run during the week if it made sense. I could also lift after my hard runs so that I could keep my easy days really easy. I could also run later in the mornings when it’s not super hot out so I could sleep a little more. Maybe I would even drive to different places for my runs like I did last week!
I may also end up overdoing it and getting injured or overtrained, so there’s that. I would also need to be mindful of using all of that extra time to focus on recovery!
Running Resources: Money
What would running be like if I had an endless supply of money to put towards it? There are only so many running clothes and shoes that a runner really needs, so I actually don’t think I would spend more on that. However, I would probably have a running coach all the time and maybe work with a dietitian as well. I might run more races or even travel to more races (when COVID isn’t an issue).
I would also love to try out some different kinds of fuel. I’ve heard great things about some products and then I look them up and they are so expensive! There are many things that look intriguing but I don’t try because I know I won’t want to keep up with paying for them regularly.
Runner Resources: Access to Resoures
Now time and money can only get you so far if you don’t have access to the things you need. So many resources are available online now, so in many ways access isn’t an issue. I do think it would be nice to be able to see a chiropractor and massage therapist regularly. I haven’t seen my chiro as much lately because of time- the hours they are open I am either working or don’t have childcare. So in a way this is an access issue. I don’t have a massage therapist, although I’ve been to a few over the years. I’d love to have a go-to person who I can see regularly, but again, this is definitely related to time and money as well.
Making it work without all these things
As everyday runners we have learned to train without unlimited running resources. Even with all of these things, would I be running in the Olympics? I highly doubt it. Maybe having to work within the boundaries of what I have available to me makes me appreciate running more in some ways. I just can’t help but wonder what running could potentially be like with a little extra help!
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Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs , and Laura Norris Running to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
Oh, this is a great question, Lisa!
I find it amazing how you make the time for running besides working, raising a child and blogging!
Fortunately, I can schedule my day around running – so I often go out later in the morning, after doing some office work.
But I would love to have a coach, a dietician and a massage therapist always at my side. Oh, and throw in a physiotherapist and a medical doctor. That would be so cool!
Wouldn’t it be so nice to have all of those resources? That’s great that you can be flexible about when you run! I had a little more flexibility when I was working from home since I didn’t have to commute, which was really nice.
I have often thought about these things as well, and not just in terms of running (for myself). Watching my three kids go through school, and sports/activities, it was obvious which kids were more privileged than others. They went to the fancy sports/dance camps during the summer, as well as extra training camps throughout the school year. Many of them were naturally more gifted, but by having all those extra resource available, they were able to excel…often times, more than others.
So true! Success can be due to alot of different things, but having the right resources definitely helps.
Ooh interesting questions! I feel pretty lucky to have the time and resources that I do have now. I think ultimately it comes down to biology at some point. Some of us are built to by Olympians and professional athletes some not so much!
Yes that’s a good point! Most of us won’t be making it to the Olympics even with all the resources in the world.
Great question.
I wonder how good I’d be if I didn’t work and had time to do all the mileage that I really should be doing. And if I had the money for a coach and to join a gym.
And the equipment to workout…and on and on.
A girl can dream.
Yep! But we just do the best with what we have available to us. And I guess I wonder if I had all those things would I appreciate them or take them for granted.
I think about this every time I get injured, or have some kind of an issue. If only I could be whisked right off to the chiro for treatment, or get a massage every day! I know elite runners work really hard, but I think I would love to have that life.
Right? It seems like it would be so easy and convenient to have those resources on hand. I do wonder if I would appreciate running as much if I had all those things. Or maybe I would put too much pressure on myself because I’d feel like I should be successful with all those resources.
Ooh, I would love this. My favorite would be access to massages (and fascial stretch therapy, of course) and other body care treatments. And travel of course. Racecations galore!!!
All those things would be so nice!
Let’s see — I used to have a coach. I loved her! It didn’t make sense to stay on with her when I wasn’t running races, though.
I used to go to the chiro regularly until COVID. I used to get at least semi-regular massages (same thing).
Most of that is because I don’t have a 9-5 job or kids. Even so I still have demands on my time that make it hard to squeeze in what I want to do sometimes!
More money is always nice. 🙂 I’d do that Alaskan running cruise, that Iceland running trip . . . I’d do Yoga retreats in awesome places . . .
I am certainly never going to be an Olympic athlete, and in general I’m pretty lucky & appreciate what I do have! Someday Grayson will be older, and you’ll have more free time (unless you give him a sibling), and then you’ll mourn because he’s out doing fun things on his own!
You are right!
You are right! I know that these years will go fast, but even before he was born I felt like I never had the time to do all the things I needed to do. And when I did have time then I felt like it got to be too expensive!
Could you imagine? What a luxury that would be! Access to all the PT, medical and therapy treatments, and coaching would be glorious!
Sounds like a dream, right?!
I used to have more time to train, and took for granted what a luxury it was! Now, there’s less time to train and I get less sleep (still enough, just less).
I think in general I took advantage of how much time I used to have! I also get less sleep, but I try to prioritize it as much as possible.
It’s really important to keep all the resouces related to running to make our running journey easy and comfortable. I really love this article. Thank you for sharing it.