Easy does it
I figured something out last night as I was out for a starlight run. I’ve been getting just a wee bit too obsessed about performance lately. There’s a lot going on in my life right now, and stress about exercise is one thing I seriously don’t need. So I decided that between now and the Cap 10K in March I’m going to run, but its going to be very free form. I will aim to get around 30 miles per week in, but other than that no real pressure - no speedwork, no fixed schedule. That feels pretty good.
Did I mention that I ran last night? I didn’t get a chance to head out until almost 9pm - and probably wouldn’t have done that except that my internet access from home wasn’t working so I couldn’t sit at the computer the way I’d planned to. It was pretty dark, but I just went out to the park and did four or five miles. No watch, no goals. I got caught up in my thoughts to the point that sometimes I had to run for a minute or two after I started paying attention to the trail to figure out where I was - darkness and trees will do that to you. I ran decently hard, with a few really fun fartleks thrown in for good measure when I could see the trail well enough to risk it. But mainly, I ran for fun, and I ran for myself.
Oh, and after the Cap 10 I’ll be getting hooked back up with the Gazelles, at which point I’ll just do whatever my coach wants me to do.
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Mar 11th 2005
1:12 PM
When does one EVER need stress about exercising? It’s counter productive to good health! Taking a bigger look at life and rearranging things a little is good sometimes. Gives you a chance to appreciate things differently, from other perspectives.
Mar 11th 2005
1:48 PM
My personal view is that we need to have an ebb and flow between working hard at it and having fun with it.
I always find I NEED to back off after a marathon and just ENJOY!
So…enjoy!
Mar 11th 2005
2:13 PM
Whenever the running becomes stressful that means either 1) you are a professional athlete and are training for a big event, or 2) you need to back off a bit.
No sense spoiling something you love by filling it with stress. A starlight run is good prescription for that.
Mar 11th 2005
3:50 PM
sounds like a fantastic plan. mark nailed it. there’s that time after a race where you just need to re-find your love of running. working through the stresses of the day while running is one of those reasons to love it. relax and enjoy.
you earned it.
Mar 11th 2005
9:04 PM
Running - I can’t give advice on. Relaxing - now, here is my expertise! My guess is that with all the performance increases you’ve seen this year - especially coming off injuries - it’s only natural to allow for an ebb and flow in what you can put into this. Make it fun again! - Mia
Mar 11th 2005
11:59 PM
Running for fun sounds great. I try to do that more now and blogging has helped me in that regard.
Keep up the fun stuff. kirsten
Mar 12th 2005
11:24 AM
I agree completely. There should never be a need to feel stress about doing something that should be helping to reduce it. Performance and goals are wonderful tools but they are not the purpose of running.
Mar 13th 2005
4:17 PM
Some of my best runs have been when I forgot my watch at home. I’m glad to hear that you are organizing your priorities. If we stress about running–there would go one of the best benefits of the sport.