Runner’s World+ Member: William Mooney Sloneker
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I’ve been a runner since I joined my high school cross country team when I was fourteen and kept it up pretty consistently ever since then. That’s more than half my life, and it is clear to me that running has always helped me stay calmer and grounded. I notice this especially when I lapse from my running routine due to injury or a busy stretch at work. I become restless, crankier, less focused, and more stressed. Then I go for a run, and I feel much better. I wouldn’t say I’ve undergone a radical transformation because of running, but rather, it has always been a core component of my life. It has also given me some of the most euphoric moments of my life. The 2018 New York City Marathon specifically was one of the top ten best days of my life, and I have a vivid recollection of practically every inch of that race.
I’m always looking to fine tune my approach to training, whether that’s with a new piece of gear, a recipe, a new workout strategy, or somebody else’s running story. All of it helps keep my perspective on running fresh and avoid stagnation in my training.
I like to say the race is the reward for all the training you did. It can also be the punishment for all the training you didn’t do. The former is a positive sentiment rooted in eager anticipation for a goal race. The other is a negative sentiment based on dread. I draw from both for motivation, and fortunately it usually pays off on race day,
I’ve made a New Year’s resolution to substitute my morning coffee habit with an easy jog every day before work. In the evening, I might lace up for speed work or a tempo run. Or I might take a yoga class or life weights. Or I might relax at home or go out with friends. As long as I get in the miles in the morning, I can be flexible with my evenings. Weekends must include a long run or a long bike ride upstate if the weather’s ideal.
The Central Park Loop, where the vast majority of my workouts occur. On some days, it’s crazy–like on the first warm day of spring when the entire city seems to flood into the park. When it rains, however, you can have the park to yourself and capture a rare moment of serenity right in the middle of a city of eight million people.
WOLACO bottoms. It doesn’t matter if it’s the shorts or compression tights; both have served me well for my last two marathons. They are supremely comfortable, hold all my essentials, and look very sleek.
To qualify for the Boston Marathon, although I think I’m a few training cycles away from that being within reach.
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