I don't seem to be getting my Fit Friday posts done in time for Friday. But I decided to just post it anyways. Maybe next week we will be back on schedule.
Today it's some random thoughts I've had on recent runs.
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I almost always run up a hill or incline. My pace often slows down, but I figure it's still faster than if I decided to walk it. If I'm feeling very winded at the top of a hill, that's when I'll choose to walk for 30 seconds or so. Is that weird? I feel like most people probably do the opposite. But that's how my brain works--or what keeps me motivated.
This evening I was running a 4 mile route where the entire second mile is an incline. It's not too steep, but running a mile uphill gets tiring. Each time I would find myself slowing down, I would choose a landmark ahead of me and pick up the pace until I get to it.
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Speaking of picking up the pace, sometimes I find myself running too fast. Or I'm getting too fatigued and I need a bit of a breather. It happened tonight as I was running the third mile down that same slope, and again during the fourth mile as I was pressing in to get home. Sure the first instinct is to take a walk break. But I also find that if I lengthen my stride, it slows me down and I can breathe more deeply and I get the rest I need. If I want to pick up my pace again, I'll shorten my stride and my knees drive a bit higher.
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A new goal or self-challenge can give you new motivation. Sometimes I find myself wanting to skip shorter runs (I'm trying to follow some training schedules right now) because they have become routine. I am blessed to live in an area that I can get 3-5 miles from outside my front door. But I usually run the same route or two.
I've been running with my neighbor some and she likes a route I haven't done much--the one with the 1 mile incline. We ran it last week and I realized I need to do it more often, because it's a new challenge. My neighbor likes it because it's along two main streets in our area. I tend to run more neighborhood streets, but I think that's because I know them since I lived in this area for 10 years prior.
So when I headed out this evening, I decided to do the different route and it was a nice change. That 1 mile incline definitely challenges me in a new way, and I like it. My average pace was up about 15 seconds. So of course I'm going to try to shave that down in runs to come.
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Finally today, when you run can make a huge difference. A morning run after a good nights sleep is my favorite. I'm strong, awake, vibrant and full of energy (once I get going that is!). But a morning run isn't always an option for me, sometimes because I just can't get myself out of bed.
Sundays are a long day for me. I'm at work by 7:30am and I spend time walking and being on my feet. We went to an afternoon birthday party and I ran when we got home while Bean prepared dinner. (Yes, he's the MAN!) I felt rather blah. I was tired before I even left, but I knew I'd still be happy I ran even if I didn't feel my best.
So, if you've had a long day and go for a run, don't be surprised if your performance isn't great. Try to get in at least one morning run a week, even if it means "early to bed, early to rise." During the summer, I can wake at 6am and run before Bean leaves for work. Once the school year starts again, I'll have to get up at 5:30am to run on a workday.
I logged about 12 miles in the last 7 days. Hoping for a few more than that next week.
OBOB
7 years ago
