How Many Buildings Do You Draw A Day?

This question asked of an architect is comparable to asking a runner how many miles do you run each day.  As a runner being asked this question by a non-runner I am first grateful for their interest and then go on to explain that there really are no two training days alike for a runner. So neither are there any two days alike in the world of a practicing architect.

Actually, most architects rarely draw anymore let alone draw buildings!  The profession is dominated and perhaps even overwhelmed by the new technology involved with the design of a building, no matter how small and simple or large and complex. Most experienced architects rarely spend much of their work week (let alone any part of any day) drawing either via a computer or that old fashioned way thing called sketching. Most of an architect's typical day involves communications, contract issues, business matters, marketing, and I suppose you can even say blogging. So how is it that buildings get drawn at all?  Good question, the easy answer is on the back of those who want to be an architect one day!  That's the routine of many architects who are viewed as being successful by their peers, their clients, and the public.

Runners on the other hand also rarely do the same training routine from one day to the next. This is for several reasons. The most basic is biological. When a runner experiences a tough (either long or fast or sometimes both) their body needs time for the damage to tiny muscle fiber to repair. Thus one of several rules to train by, never run hard two days in a row. So simple biology prevents an experienced runner from repeating the same tough workout day after day. 

Then there is the mental aspect to training. Most runners are training for a race that probably months away from their race day. The simple process of breaking the monotony of running the same distance each day will cause a runner to run various distances each workout.

But such a variance of distances over the same course or portion of a training route will soon cause a runner to become bored with the training experience and seek other routes.  These variations in distances, intensity of training, and routes all combine to provide the runner with sufficient variety to keep their training fresh. 

The next evolution of a runner's training routine is to not to run and train alone but to do so with others who share the runner's passion and goals. The best example of this is seen in an active running club or training group.  Personally I feel very blessed to be a part of one very successful such group that being the Running Fit 501 Marathon and Half Marathon training session sponsored by one of the best running stores in the country and consisting of the best group of runners I could ever hope to share my running experience in recent years and I hope for many years to come too.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I welcome your feedback and comments.

Run Happy

Lee