A friend invited me to run with him and a group of other fellow runners this Saturday. My run this Saturday is 7 miles, and they’re running 8 at a pace that’s a bit quicker than my comfort zone. I gave it serious thought, and agreed I’d meet him on the other side of town. As I gave it more thought, I realized a couple things. First, because of how tight my lower body still is, I’m not sure I’m ready to push myself outside my comfort zone. Second, thus far running is very personal.
Why is it so personal? I think because my runs are not at a pace where I’m proud. So yes, vanity plays a role. I am proud of my progress. Every run gets a bit better. The pace isn’t blisteringly fast, but it’s improving. But I’m not quite ready to go “prime time.” I’ll get there, but it won’t be happening overnight. So, I was looking forward to getting together with my friend and meeting some new people, but not looking forward to showing off my Clydesdale pace. He called this morning to let me know he needs to be out of town this weekend, so the run won’t happen. That buys me at least another week to find my athletic self. Or at least to shave a couple minutes off my per mile time.
Being Wednesday, today was the mid-week long run. Five miles, and it wasn’t bad. I waited until the end of the day so I could loosen my calf. The strategy worked pretty well. Last week my left calf was tight. This week it’s the right calf. Hopefully soon I’ll just be sailing along without having to worry about either of my calves. Until then, I’m obsessive about loosening the bottoms of my feet with a lacrosse ball which I do while on calls during the day at work. It’s helping.
What passed through my mind tonight? The sunset was beautiful. It was a bit darker on the way back than what I prefer, but that’s my own damn fault. I’m re-listening to The Power of Habit for material for a goal setting class I’m holding for disadvantaged kids in downtown Orlando. I thought about my own experience training for the marathon, and wondered if it’s a habit for me at this point. I’m doing it. I’m sticking to it. But I’m not sure it’s solidified into an actual habit. Writing after a run hasn’t developed into a habit yet either. Sticking to a particular point in the day would help, and then a reward for running, and then logging the experience. I did picture the run itself, and what it’ll be like seeing Chicago again. It’s getting there. In another couple weeks, it’ll be enough a part of the routine that we’ll call it a habit. Another couple long runs will help get it there.
Why is it so personal? I think because my runs are not at a pace where I’m proud. So yes, vanity plays a role. I am proud of my progress. Every run gets a bit better. The pace isn’t blisteringly fast, but it’s improving. But I’m not quite ready to go “prime time.” I’ll get there, but it won’t be happening overnight. So, I was looking forward to getting together with my friend and meeting some new people, but not looking forward to showing off my Clydesdale pace. He called this morning to let me know he needs to be out of town this weekend, so the run won’t happen. That buys me at least another week to find my athletic self. Or at least to shave a couple minutes off my per mile time.
Being Wednesday, today was the mid-week long run. Five miles, and it wasn’t bad. I waited until the end of the day so I could loosen my calf. The strategy worked pretty well. Last week my left calf was tight. This week it’s the right calf. Hopefully soon I’ll just be sailing along without having to worry about either of my calves. Until then, I’m obsessive about loosening the bottoms of my feet with a lacrosse ball which I do while on calls during the day at work. It’s helping.
What passed through my mind tonight? The sunset was beautiful. It was a bit darker on the way back than what I prefer, but that’s my own damn fault. I’m re-listening to The Power of Habit for material for a goal setting class I’m holding for disadvantaged kids in downtown Orlando. I thought about my own experience training for the marathon, and wondered if it’s a habit for me at this point. I’m doing it. I’m sticking to it. But I’m not sure it’s solidified into an actual habit. Writing after a run hasn’t developed into a habit yet either. Sticking to a particular point in the day would help, and then a reward for running, and then logging the experience. I did picture the run itself, and what it’ll be like seeing Chicago again. It’s getting there. In another couple weeks, it’ll be enough a part of the routine that we’ll call it a habit. Another couple long runs will help get it there.
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