Hi my name is Ryan and you can find me @Ryanruiz on Twitter. I am honored to be Ashley’s guest on her Marathons +Moderation series today! Thank you Ashley for all the hard work and contributions you make to running, runners and keeping people inspired to stay healthy.

I come from a running family. My parents are marathon runners and continue to run today. I have run 23 marathons and I am running my 24^TH and 3^rd New York City marathon this coming November 6. People always ask me how have you run so many marathons, the truth is I love to run. Running teaches me to push past my physical limitations and push past my mind’s limitations. Running teaches me to be strong and at any given day or race it gives me the chance to be extraordinary. The greatest thing is you take these lessons you learn from running and you take them into your life and it makes us better people, friends, workers, husbands, wives, etc. In essence we become more fearless, risk takers and we get up every day with the idea we can do anything and make the day what we want it to be because running teaches us to be extraordinary.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY, WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

Everyone has a story why they have decided to run. For some it may be the decision to get off that couch and tackle a 5k. Some are making the jump from the 5k to the 10k and many will test themselves against the half marathon and marathon. Some people will run a race to honor the death of a loved one, some because they turn 40 and some will run to check off one more accomplishment on the bucket list. The bottom line is as we run and train we go through the good days and the tough days. It is in those tough days or those last miles of the race that you must remember why you are here, what is inspiring you to be here. Let your story and the stories of others motivate you. Often times this will help you get you through the tough days and to the finish line.

BALANCE IN LIFE WILL IMPROVE YOUR RUNNING

Balancing your life really is the key to great training and great running. Let’s face it, we are surrounded by a fast pacing world around us and trying to run or train for a big race with the demands of jobs and family and friends can be challenging. As I keep a full time job and shuffle time between family and friends I have a couple pointers.

∙ Get organized. I have my training outlined for a race but then I always create a monthly schedule with important dates and work my running around everything important that month. In some cases I even make a detailed weekly schedule because sometimes things pop up unexpectedly and you must revise. If you have a run planned and something else must be done that day socially, be proactive and change your days around so you can get that run in and still be productive.

∙ Rest days are the best days to catch up with life and get things done. Again, stay organized with your schedule and schedule errands and life on these rest days. Rest days are essential in running and it doesn’t mean to sit around and do nothing on these days. The body was made to move so being out and about around town won’t hurt you on your rest days. Plus rest days are when your body will adjust to the hard training you are putting in. Without rest days you start to break down the body instead of building it up. You knock down two birds with one stone here.

∙ Communicate to your family, friends and your work. Let them know what this means to you and How much more productive of a person this will make you in all realms of life. You will be surprised how many people get behind you and support you. In some cases you may even inspire them to be great like you.

Running In Moderation

When I think back to my first training cycles for my early marathons to now I see huge differences. In those early days I was completely overtraining. I thought if I ran more I would get better and faster. In reality I was breaking down my body more than making it stronger. I also was not well rounded in all parts that contribute to great running. Rest, nutrition , easy/ hard days and core work were not part of the equation.

∙ Rest days. I was completely overtraining. The body needs to rest in order to make the proper adaptations to what you are putting it through. It is through rest that you become strengthened.

∙Nutrition. Too many runners and athletes underestimate the power of nutrition and the role it plays in powering your runs and helping you recover in order to do it all over again on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. Nutrition WILL dictate how well your training runs go and your race performance. We are all made different and what works for one runner won’t work for you so listen to your body to see how you respond to certain foods and work with those choices.

∙Easy/hard days In the early days I was constantly running hard hoping to get stronger and faster and I was literally breaking down my body which will make you slower and make you weaker. Whether you are starting to run for the first time or training for that big race you have to show patience and let your body adjust. I was also running too fast on my long training runs and often times leaving my race out on my training courses and showing up to the actual race fatigued from that brilliant performance on the long run that didn’t count. Run smart and run your race on race day rather than fatigued.

∙Core work will make you a stronger runner and take you to the next level. The core is the foundation to your running and if you put the work in you will see your running change and make you fitter. The more fit you are the faster and stronger you will become. Put your time in and you will cash in on race day.

The moments that challenge you the most will define you.

We don’t run to see who is fastest. We don’t run marathons or races to see who wins. We run to test the limits of our hearts. When I stand on the start line of a marathon I feel like it is always where I was meant to be. Running has changed my life and crossing the finish line has taught me that when you push your mind and body through the adversity there is nothing in life you can’t do. Surround yourself by great people, positive people and talented runners, you will learn so much from them. Most of all believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to put it on the line when it counts. When you do, you will re-invent yourself through running and in life. Run with your heart, keep running and I will see you at the finish line!

Question: What is your running story? If you’re interested in sharing it beyond the comments section, email me to be featured in an upcoming Marathons+Moderation guest post!