 |
| Me, running the 2014 Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland |
The length of the run depends on where I am in my training. Usually my long run is between 6 to 11 miles. 11 miles being the longest run I do before a half marathon, then I taper off. I have been doing this for several years and it works for me. I'm not a fast runner by any means, nor do I care to be. My one and only goal for each race is to finish. And anytime I don't come in last, is the icing on the cake.
Because of my weekends trips this month, my training is off... or more like, non-existent. This past week I ran a 2.44 miler and a 3.10 miler (and most of that was walking, I found that running on a Friday night after work, I have no energy!). Those have been my only runs since the 5th. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but in exactly three weeks, I am running the Marvel Avenger's half marathon at Disneyland. And I am no where near ready.
Since hurting my knee last March, my running has been spotty, I haven't been able to get back to my normal pace, and I find myself running slow so as to not to re-injure my knee.
During the week, the discussion of "loving" or "enjoying" running has come up with several of my friends. Which got me to wondering if running is even something I should be doing. I have never loved running. I have had moments I like it, and on a very few occasions, even found myself enjoying it. But the actual act of running? Getting that runner's high? Getting anxious to put on my running clothes and go? Missing it when I don't run? Ummmm....no...
Windy sent me a link about How to break up with running, to fall in love with it all over again which prompted me to ask, "what if I didn't love running to begin with?" She countered back with, "then why do you run, if you don't enjoy it?"
Then Juli was telling me about a discussion she was having with a nutritionist about her workouts (she loves cross-fit, but also does running) and the person told her if she didn't love running, then don't do it.
I began thinking about my own thoughts and feeling regarding running. What do I love about running? I love the feeling when I'm done. Not just the the, "Finally, I'm done!" but the feeling of accomplishment. I love the feeling of being able to say, "I ran X miles today!" I went from someone who never played sports, never did anything remotely athletic growing up, to a runner and that's an awesome, indescribable feeling. This feeling of, "Yes, I can!" when my whole life I thought I couldn't. It's a feeling of pride, of being someone who is now healthy enough to run after a life of being overweight and obese. It's a constant reminder of what I have accomplished on my weight loss journey.
Running is also something I can share with my Hubby. We often run together when training for races ("together" is a lose term, he's 6'2 and I'm 5'2... he is always a block or two ahead of me!). And we plan our vacations around races. I'm proud of him when he runs (over the years he has also lost about 100 pounds), and grateful for how supportive he is of my running, whether I'm slow, fast, or somewhere in between.
Running also keeps me in contact with my friends. Even though Juli, Sibyl and I don't run together as much as we used to, they are still there for me. To encourage, to support, and to kick me in the butt when needed. And when I do get to run with them, it makes the time fly by as we moan, whine, and complain together about the run! I also have friends I don't run with, but we discuss running and can be proud of one another's accomplishments.
So, I have plenty of reasons to love running, but the actual act of running... not so much. Each and every time I go out for a run, whether it's 2 miles or 11 miles, I ask myself, "why am I doing this?"
Then I get done with my run. All those feelings I described above wash over me, and I remember why I run. Because I can.
No comments:
Post a Comment