Sometimes, I find myself asking myself 'Why do I run?' Especially in the latter months of the year when the weather turns cold, daylight hours fade and the act of leaving the house in my running gear requires a lot more planning and orchestrating. 'Why are you going running?' asks my son, as I call goodbye to my family (who are usually cosied-up on the sofa), and step out the door into the chilly air.
'Why am I doing this?' I sometimes ask myself as I start out, plodding along the wet, narrow roads, trying to stay out of the camber and hurdling over potholes, puddles and horse shit.
I'd be lying to say I've never had a run where it's not been hard all the way through. But the good runs far outweigh the bad. The good runs are the reason I run. I like the way my body feels, post-run. I enjoy noticing the subtle changes in my body; muscles are appearing, wobbles disappearing. I love the sense of achievement I get at upping my mileage, at improving my time. When I run, my thoughts are uninterrupted and while I'm in that groove, possibilities are endless.
Here's what I now know about running that I didn't know 6 months ago: after about 20 minutes, it starts to feel good. My body finds its rhythm and I feel as though I am moving mechanically, without much effort. The endorphins have obviously kicked in at this point because sometimes I even feel elated and I sing along to my playlist (knowing that nobody will hear me on my rural run and think I'm a nutter). When it all clicks, I feel able to up my pace, often encouraged and buoyed up by the fact that I am out running, and running better than I ever have.
'Lead with your chest' I tell myself. 'Run tall. Head up. Breath.'
Why do I run? Because I love being a runner!
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Last Sunday, I had an amazing run. It was a route that I plotted a few weeks ago and had been itching for the time and form to do it. While you can often hear me grumble about the inconvenience of living in the sticks, I must admit that when it comes to running routes I am spoiled for choice (and they are all flat!) So on my 10K run, I marveled at the autumnal beauty, the changing leaves, the berries on the bushes, the lack of wind and the reflection of the billowing clouds in the canal waters. I thought about my lungs, how they were working, how my body was functioning as I wanted it to, I focused on my legs and feet and tried to improve my style. For me, it encapsulated a lot of what running is about. I had The Buzz! I was thinking....maybe Half Marathon....maybe one day, even the Big One!
However, I got totally carried away by my enthusiasm and fell foul of making classic beginner mistakes. I'd had such a great run, that I repeated it two days later. My body didn't like that, my right knee ached and I started with sciatic twinges. It made me realize that running 'like a mother' and continuously upping my mileage was not the best approach in becoming better. Taking some sense on board, I reverted to a 5K after work one night, but then tried the 10K again on Sunday (this time, with a slight cold). Not a good idea either! I found the run very hard, and could have thrown in the towel at any point. I have never been so relieved to return home, my body ached and I felt annoyed with my stupid cold for hindering my progress.
I like to think that I have grown as a runner this week; I now know that I need to reign in my enthusiasm! Over the next few weeks, I plan to run more sensibly. I hope to adopt a training plan, do more research on nutrition, muscle repair and ways to improve. Also, my daughter has expressed a desire to race, so I am going to look into some child friendly races in our area, and see if she wants to try a gentle jog around our park.
I laughed in recognition as I read this blog link http://www.shutupandrun.net/2012/04/9-dumb-mistakes-new-runners-make.html I'm not the only one who started out thinking I was invincible!
However, I got totally carried away by my enthusiasm and fell foul of making classic beginner mistakes. I'd had such a great run, that I repeated it two days later. My body didn't like that, my right knee ached and I started with sciatic twinges. It made me realize that running 'like a mother' and continuously upping my mileage was not the best approach in becoming better. Taking some sense on board, I reverted to a 5K after work one night, but then tried the 10K again on Sunday (this time, with a slight cold). Not a good idea either! I found the run very hard, and could have thrown in the towel at any point. I have never been so relieved to return home, my body ached and I felt annoyed with my stupid cold for hindering my progress.
I like to think that I have grown as a runner this week; I now know that I need to reign in my enthusiasm! Over the next few weeks, I plan to run more sensibly. I hope to adopt a training plan, do more research on nutrition, muscle repair and ways to improve. Also, my daughter has expressed a desire to race, so I am going to look into some child friendly races in our area, and see if she wants to try a gentle jog around our park.
I laughed in recognition as I read this blog link http://www.shutupandrun.net/2012/04/9-dumb-mistakes-new-runners-make.html I'm not the only one who started out thinking I was invincible!
Monday 8 October 2012
Dog Jog
I'm not great at time management, and I've had one of those weeks where my exercise plans have taken a back seat. But I have managed to 'dog jog' a couple of times.
A while back, I decided that I would try to combine the daily dog walk with a jog. This venture has had mixed success. If given the choice, I would always choose a solo run. I love the feeling of freedom I get when I run; I feel light and unanchored.....not a feeling I have when I am tethered to my excited Running Dog!
The cons of jogging with my pooch? She gets very over-excited about the jogs and always starts off too fast for me, so I end up being dragged along behind her. After a couple of hundred metres, I usually manage to reign her in, and for a while, we are in sync; perfect jogging companions. However, she will stop dead if she detects a new smell (and given that she is a scent hound, that happens very often), and my arm is yanked out of its socket.
It's not all negative; the pros are that I am getting a run, she is getting exercised, and I have saved a bit of time. Also, I love those moments when we are in sync; she looks like she is really enjoying herself. I'm going to stick with it, as I am hopeful that one day we will be better running companions. I'm proud of the fact that we've worked up to a 5K circuit (and we only walk about 1K of that.)
I have to try to be selfless on these outings; Running Dog is not interested in a PB. She's more of a 'tempo training' gal!
A while back, I decided that I would try to combine the daily dog walk with a jog. This venture has had mixed success. If given the choice, I would always choose a solo run. I love the feeling of freedom I get when I run; I feel light and unanchored.....not a feeling I have when I am tethered to my excited Running Dog!
The cons of jogging with my pooch? She gets very over-excited about the jogs and always starts off too fast for me, so I end up being dragged along behind her. After a couple of hundred metres, I usually manage to reign her in, and for a while, we are in sync; perfect jogging companions. However, she will stop dead if she detects a new smell (and given that she is a scent hound, that happens very often), and my arm is yanked out of its socket.
It's not all negative; the pros are that I am getting a run, she is getting exercised, and I have saved a bit of time. Also, I love those moments when we are in sync; she looks like she is really enjoying herself. I'm going to stick with it, as I am hopeful that one day we will be better running companions. I'm proud of the fact that we've worked up to a 5K circuit (and we only walk about 1K of that.)
I have to try to be selfless on these outings; Running Dog is not interested in a PB. She's more of a 'tempo training' gal!
Monday 1 October 2012
Heroes and Role Models
I love arriving home after a run; particularly when I am greeted by my son flinging himself at my legs, wrapping himself around them and proclaiming, "I missed you when you were running." Between the puffing and the gulping of water, I feel wonderful.
My children were ridiculously proud of me when I did my first 10k a few weeks ago. I crossed the finishing line, returned my chip, collected my goodie bag and enjoyed the heroes welcome I received from my little support crew. While I sat on the edge of a flower bed, they fished out my 'tin foil' blanket and medal, and insisted I wear both.
Not only do I find that running does wonders for my body, both physically and mentally, but I like to think that I am being a positive role model for my children. I hope that I am showing them that achievements are made by hard work, commitment and goal setting.
And I love the Olympic Legacy! I was thrilled when in July, the first poster my daughter put her wall was one of Victoria Pendleton holding her medal. I only hope that this next generation continues to be inspired by the sporting heroes we all came to love this summer; that they understand that achievement and success comes at the end of a lot of hard work.
In the meantime, I intend to do my little bit (both for myself and for my children), rambling along, racing a little and aspiring to be the best runner and mother I can be.
My children were ridiculously proud of me when I did my first 10k a few weeks ago. I crossed the finishing line, returned my chip, collected my goodie bag and enjoyed the heroes welcome I received from my little support crew. While I sat on the edge of a flower bed, they fished out my 'tin foil' blanket and medal, and insisted I wear both.
Not only do I find that running does wonders for my body, both physically and mentally, but I like to think that I am being a positive role model for my children. I hope that I am showing them that achievements are made by hard work, commitment and goal setting.
And I love the Olympic Legacy! I was thrilled when in July, the first poster my daughter put her wall was one of Victoria Pendleton holding her medal. I only hope that this next generation continues to be inspired by the sporting heroes we all came to love this summer; that they understand that achievement and success comes at the end of a lot of hard work.
In the meantime, I intend to do my little bit (both for myself and for my children), rambling along, racing a little and aspiring to be the best runner and mother I can be.
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