Do You Need A License To Run?

A license to run?

Do you need a license to run?  Of course not, at least I cannot imagine a condition where one would need a license to run. But, one does need a license to proclaim themselves as an architect! A conversation with Wendy, a graduate architect in my office today made me realize the direct link between becoming a better runner and becoming a licensed architect!

Wendy recently learned she has reached the point in her path to becoming an architect where she is eligible to begin the professional exam process.  Having worked with Wendy much of this past year I have no doubts she will succeed in her exam process. Nonetheless, I suggested to her that she seek out some study partners as it would help to secure her success and help keep her on schedule to complete all five separate exams.

Architectural student preparing to take NCARB exam.

You need to understand what it takes to become an architect. I could probably fill my entire thumb drive if I were to reveal all of the requirements. Simply stated it’s a long and difficult but also a very rewarding process. Like completing a marathon, becoming a licensed architect is a grueling process that requires time, dedication, perseverance, setbacks, and thrills. They each represent a great personal achievement. 

Becoming an architect requires a professional degree from an accredited school of architecture. At a minimum this is a five year process and more likely a six year process.  Following the degree the potential architect must obtain employment working under the tutelage of another licensed architect. This is typically referred to as the internship. Similar to the medical profession, architects must obtain and document required minimum professional experience in all aspects of professional practice. Internship usually requires three to five years to complete the requirements in the prescribed areas of professional practice.

Once the internship is completed the real fun begins, for this is where the potential architect must go through a rigorous series of six separate (and expensive) licensing exams. These exams cover the topics of structure, design, technology, professional practice, and more.  It’s not unusual for many candidates to take as long as a year or more to successfully pass all of the exams. Once passed only then can they claim themselves to be an architect! 

So what does this have to do with becoming a better runner?

Well, I am a firm believer that running in groups or running with a partner that challenges you makes you a better runner.  When running alone it’s easy for a runner to back down from a pace, loose mental focus, generally become distracted, or simply cut a scheduled workout short. 

Running with groups or friends will improve your running.

Running with a partner, especially one that challenges you, at minimum gets you out the door to complete a workout!  There is also that natural tendency to compete with one another meaning you will not be the one to stop running because you’re running faster or farther than normal.  Then, as most runners already know, runners love to talk running, and non-runners are not interested in what runners have to say. Runners will listen to other runners.  So during a long run, it’s not unusual for runners to carry on a continual conversation.  Such conversations also work to bolster the runner’s oxygen intake thereby improving their ability to run farther and faster.

So what does running with a partner have to do with becoming an architect?

Well, the exam portion of the licensing process is long, tedious, and if done alone, very boring. It’s also extremely tempting to not push oneself too. But if the future architect can connect with a co-worker or an old college classmate, the process of not only completing the exams becomes easier, the likelihood of passing each exam the first time increases too! 

Completing a major accomplishment on one’s own is always something to be proud of completing. There is also the recognition that doing so completely on one’s own is extremely rare and more difficult. So take advantage of options available to you to complete your next race goal or personal achievement and seek supportive help.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post today, wish Wendy luck with her exams, and remember I am here to help you become a better runner and if necessary also a better architect!

Run Happy!

Coach Lee

Which Type of Runner Are You?

Where do you fit in this bell curve as a runner?

I have observed that during this final week of the year there are four types of runners. You may have been more than one or perhaps even all off these four types during the 52nd week of any year. I will let you know which type I am at the end of this post.

First, there is the newbie runner. This type of runner probably does not think of themselves as a runner yet. In fact they are probably very intimidated by getting out the door and taking their very first step. What they do possess is the highest degree of good intention of any type of runner! They may have already signed up to run a 5K or longer race a few months from now, or they simply would consider it a success to run around the block a few times a week. Regardless, this type of person is a runner. Their greatest surprise ahead will not be attaining their running goal but rather experiencing the depth of support from the running community and even new life long friends.

Second, there is the seasoned veteran runner. This runner is probably running this week with the simple goal of “rounding up” to the next centennial notch in their running log to end the year. This runner has probably averaged 20 to 40 miles a week throughout the year. They can enter most any race at the drop of their running hat and compete reasonably well. They also have most of their race calendar for the upcoming year pretty well completed and they think they know how to train for their race(s) too. What defines them this week is the weather conditions. They tend to take a day off if weather conditions of terrible, as in very terrible!

Third, there is another version of the seasoned veteran. This runner is in the midst of training for a mid-winter or spring marathon. Nearly all of the 30,000 runners who will be competing in the 2019 Boston Marathon this April are well into their training for Boston. Seasoned veteran runners tend to ignore whatever Mother Nature throws at them this time of year and will be out in nearly all winter conditions as they are intensely focused on their winter or spring destination race. These runners are easily distinguished from all other runners in spring as they tend to be the thinnest and fittest too!

A cleared winter path, welcomed by all runners.

Fourth, there is the runner who once was a dedicated runner. Perhaps they ran a marathon a few years back but for whatever reason drifted away from the sport. These runners seek to relive their great achievements of the past but tend to forget the struggles and sacrifices one must experience in order to achieve their goal. Some of these runners will “burn out” after a few training runs. Most will quickly experience flashbacks to the more difficult training runs of their past but, they understand this is short lived and look forward to getting past this relatively short bump in their training.

Me, I have been all of these types at some point. I was the first type many decades ago and for many years was the second type too. There have also been certain years when I was the third type, training to compete in the Boston Marathon and other spring events such as The Martian Half Marathon, Tobacco Road Half Marathon, and many other spring races. This year, I am more aligned with the fourth type. I spent most of the first half of the year dealing with a non-running knee injury and fought my way back to finish my goal races. I also can relate to the frustration returning runners have with the process of regaining your race conditioning. It’s not an easy path but it is an extremely important one to follow.

All runners aim to the future, improvement, success, celebration, and all will experience something they had never would have guessed to happen too. Hopefully, a pleasant surprise. I congratulate each of you and wish you a healthy and successful running year ahead.

Thanks for taking time to read my post and I welcome your comments.

Run Happy :)

Coach Lee