I love to run. Running has become a huge part of who I am. It’s my anti-depressant, my stress reliever, my muse.
I need to return to my old running roots. The ones where I ran because I wanted to or needed to. Where I ran the distance or the speed that felt good that day. The place I was before I started training and tracking miles and caring about my speed.
That run never hurt me. That run was only a positive force in my life.
I run to be mentally healthy, to be physically strong, and ok, sometimes so I can continue to drink beer and still fit in my jeans. I’ll be keeping that run around.
But, until my body stops rebelling, distance running and specific training plans will be taking a backseat. I’ll be mixing in more yoga, more weightlifting, more cross training on the elliptical and the bike. My body has been telling me in no uncertain terms that it needs me to make it stronger first. To recognize that I’m older and don’t bounce back as fast from races. To listen when a twinge starts instead of pushing through until I end up sidelined.
Because I will be back. Because there will be more half marathons and at least one more marathon in my life. Because I will be that woman winning her age group just because she’s the only one still racing at that age.
Because running and I aren’t done. We’re just going to have an open relationship for a while.
mcmmama
mcmmama
mcmmama
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Whew! I hear ya on this. Good luck!
does this mean youre playing in the weight room with me for a little bit?
If you’re one that’s become obsessed with tracking things, you might try switching to a more qualitative record of your runs than quantitative. I rarely track my pace anymore, and found that I enjoy my runs far more. Here is what I track:
Distance – given.
The following are all on a 1-10 scale, and I usually give some comments:
Overall – just a basic idea of how the run went
Enjoyment – Was it a “git r done” kind of work out, or pure pleasure
Experience – Did anything interesting happen or did you see anything interesting
Effort – leisurely jog or hardcore sprint work
Pain – anything worth noting about
You can take a look at mine for examples at:
http://www.runningahead.com/logs/ab78416c10bb44928f604ab8fc56d477/workouts
I’m having similar struggles.
Sounds good to me. I have this long term goal of runs and ultras for the next 5 to 7 years. I hope and wonder if my body will cooperate. If not I’ll have to follow your approach.
I have no doubt that you will be back and that this “break” will leave you mentally and physically refreshed.
I can totally relate. I have had a piriformis injury that has been slow to heal. I deemed 2012 to be a get healthy & strong year. Once I got over the bummer of being injured I have really enjoyed all the cross training classes I have taken since October. Now that I am running/cycling again I have made sure to keep at least 1 yoga & 1 pilates class on the schedule each week.
Enjoy the journey!
Your so funny! The fairytale marriage has diminished and we are now onto open relationships! This 44 year old runner is with you, bring on the alternate lifestyle…enter the new partners … Yoga, core and Elliptical. tee hee
PS. You WILL be winning your AG!
Sounds like a good approach. I too have changed my focus from running to try to get faster to just doing what I want because I like it and it feels good. Fits where I am at in my life now!
Now that I am injured, my approach to running will definitely be different if I am able to return. Speed, pace obssession will be a thing of the past. Just want to run, enjoy it, and race for feeling of accomplishment.
I really like your sentence – that you’ll be the one winning the age group because you”re the only one running at that age. That’s a great goal.
“Because I will be that woman winning her age group just because she’s the only one still racing at that age.” – love it! Sounds like taking a step back and adding in some other things to make you stronger is a good plan.
I plan to win because I’m the only one left in the age group too!
It is so hard to listen to one’s body. I am getting better. I took today off (From running) after my hard race yesterday. It was a hard thing to do but I did it!
I totally hear you on this. It’s super frustrating sometimes and my husband always likes to remind me that I’m not young anymore. Thanks dear. I’m nervous, apprehensive and excited for the day I am cleared to run again. But I think that you are being super smart by focusing on getting stronger. You will heal and you will be back to running. There is no doubt.
I love this post. I get so caught up in the ‘now or never’ mindset but my husband is good at reminding me that running will always be there… skipping a marathon this year didn’t cause any harm. And as we move into Texas heat, there will be very few races and less worries about speed. I like having the excuse to back off! It’s nice to remember why we run.
Stronger is good. I’m finding that making time for yoga keeps me from hurting too much – I raced last weekend and on Monday at work all I could do was hobble – it wasn’t pretty. Yoga yesterday got me almost back to normal, but I still haven’t run yet.
I’m thinking weights today, and maybe a short spin. Running is good, but the pain isn’t.
I like the “open relationship” idea, I mean you wouldn’t want running to think you are a cheater!