You may have noticed that I’ve been running more lately and while they haven’t been long runs, they have been more frequent, including back to back days.
While for some that may not be something spectacular, for me it’s a sign of good things to come. A sign that my lungs are getting stronger and I’m not allowing my asthma or my fear of it to get the best of me.
I’m sure you also noticed several of those runs are shorter, especially compared to when I was 1/2 marathon training and running no less than 4-5 miles in the last few weeks of training. The thing is, when you’re training for a long distance, those distances start to mess with your head. You get to the point that a 1 or 2 (sometimes even 3) mile run seems nearly pointless…but it’s not! You’re still running – a run is a run is a run!
So I’m working on a new plan – run more! Distances can be shorter, distances can be longer; they can be faster, they can be slower; just do it! A run is a run is a run!
Am I hoping that through this process I’ll increase my speed? That’d be cool.
Am I hoping that with this I’ll regain my distance? Of course.
Am I hoping to learn to run on tired legs for future running goals? Yes!
But ultimately, I’m trying to clear my mindset that if I go run, it has to be no less than 3 miles. I’m trying to build short runs into more circuit (or GPP-style) workouts. I’m trying to remember that a run is a run is a run – regardless of it’s speed or distance. Just get out there and run – it’s the sport itself I fell in love with. A run is a run is a run.
When was the last time you allowed yourself just to run without worry of your distance or pace?
I need to tell myself this more. It is important to remember that getting out there and doing it is half the battle.
I think this is called “happy running” 😉 I definitely know what you mean though when you are training for a race…there is so much more pressure on each and every run to run far and at a good tempo. Now I get to run-walk all I want! That’s my favorite! 🙂
I read a post on MSPRun by Ali about running without worrying about distance or time and it inspired me a couple of weeks ago to do just that and I did better than I expected to.
It would definitely be a challenge for me to go run without any idea of time or distance, though I may have to try that someday. For now, I do enjoy the challenge of allowing myself to run and not getting down on myself if I think I need to stop after a mile or two.
i love this post! I’ve ben running a lot of little miles here and there lately, and they’ve been adding up. i’m actually going to try to take this week as a “rest” week and not run much. I think that’s what I need. And next week I’m going to start back up again and try to hit 11-12 mi/week for a few weeks (then rest).
Awesome! 🙂
As Calee knows, I’ve been a little worried about ‘losing my distance’ now that I’ve pretty much stopped running cold turkey (trot?) except for when the crazy athletic conditioning/boot camp instructors at the gym make us sprint the track or through the woods around the gym. I LOVE what you said about the distance starting to mess with you…I mentioned this to my sister way back when I first starting running more than 5 miles at a time. It’s hard in a world of super long distance runners to remember that 2 or 3 miles is really a fine and fabulous distance to go!
I love that you’re sportin’ your Sweat Pink tank in the last photo 🙂 Adorbs!! Since I am training right now, I don’t really have the flexibility to just run for running’s sake. I can’t wait to get back to that after my marathon in October!! 🙂
I LOVE that tank top! Seriously so freaking comfortable!