As a runner, do you find yourself defining yourself by your speed? Do you describe yourself (out loud or even in your own head) as a “fast runner” or a “slow runner” or a “back of the packer”? Do you have certain expectations of what you can do at certain distances, ie. I run a xx:xx 5k or I’m going to run an easy 5 miler at xx:xx pace?
I do that. All.the.time. And it’s wrong (for me, right now.)
Why? Because the paces I set in my head are based on past performances, often on ones pre-injury. They don’t take into account my current fitness level, a summer of slacking on the running, or the weather outside my front door.
To combat this, I’ve started running a number of my runs “naked.” I leave my Garmin at home and just run for time. But I don’t enjoy that. I NEED (no, really, it is a NEED) the information I get from the Garmin. I NEED to know how far I went. I NEED to know my pace.
Since my NEED to know and my EGO seem to be in direct conflict these days (as in, “no way can I stand to run THAT slowly”), I’ve decided my ego just has to go. My goal right now is to rebuild my endurance. I need to get back to running 5 times a week (instead of once LOL). And since my body has decided it’s injury prone since I turned 40, I have to treat it nicer.
I’ll let my ego back out of the box the next time I need to do speedwork or am trying to PR at a race, but for the moment, I’m going to ignore the pace on my Garmin and just put in the time on my feet.
Even if that pace makes me want to cry.
mcmmama
mcmmama
mcmmama
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I can totally relate to this. The summer heat slows me down, so when I started to get myself ready for my next half marathon, my pace was slower, which really messed with my head. There is nothing more discouraging than knowing you’re slower than you were a few months ago, so, I ditched my Garmin. It killed me to not know EXACTLY how far I was going, but I tried to just let go and run because I can. After a while, I decided I kind of like running without the pressure of trying to beat a certain mile split, etc.
Good luck rebuilding your endurance!
Thanks! I do try to just run without worrying about it even when I wear the Garmin, but sometimes I do find it impossible to “just run” with it on.
I definitely need the feedback, but I try and not worry if I am not making straight-line progress with every workout. Rather, I try and look at 3 or 6 months ago, and just keep trusting that putting in the work will pay off.
And FYI, my running goals are “slightly” different than most people my age – At 45, I am training to run a sub-60 second 400 meter
– Call me crazy!
…Tim
That is crazy, but in a good way. I need to get my endurance up for some upcoming races. I seem to hit half marathon distance and then fall apart LOL.
Having this exact problem right now as I adjust to the weather conditions out here in Arizona. Every time I see my pace I just shake my head (not that my pace was ever fast before!) Given I’m no longer training for anything specific I should just leave my Garmin at home, but those darn numbers are often what pushes me to push myself. Ah!
I can only imagine the difference. I know my runs are not helped by the awful humidity right now.
I’m just getting back into it after having my second baby and decided to run based on time for now. I have a 10K at the beginning of October so my main goal is to get back up to running for an hour+ until that is done. I still find it tough though! Especially since I’m running the same routes I did pre-pregnancy and know the distance and how long it used to take me to run it.
Yeah, I hate it when I’m pretty sure about how far I went and I see how long it took me… You’ll be back before you know it though.
This is a good topic. As you may know, I am working with a sports psychologist on these issues. He is helping me re-define what “expectations” are. When you think about it, you don’t really have much control over your pace on any given day. You have to focus on what you can control and those are expectations like: I expect to work hard, I expect to be consistent with my training, I expect to run by feel instead of by pace. It’s been a tough transition for me to make mentally, but it just makes a lot of sense and I feel more balanced. Seems like you are aware of where you are mentally and where you want to go, which is awesome. Keep that focus where it needs to be– rebuilding endurance. The rest will all fall into place!
Thanks for your feedback. My endurance is pretty much non-existant. When did 3 miles become hard???
This year, I seem to have been able to let go some of racing with myself. I’m way slower than I was a few years ago, but I’m appreciating running more right now. I figure it’s a fair trade off.
I’m not enjoying it much right now, but I’m sure that will change when the humidity drops. I’d never leave the house if I lived near you. ;o)
I am the same way. I need to put my ego away too! especially since I cannot even run right now! About running naked, I actually run faster when I do not have that thing on (or if I have it on and just do not look at it until I am DONE). I think I have an expectation that I am a slow runner and, when I have my Garmin on, I am limited by specific slow paces . . . does that make any sense?
Interesting. I know I run faster with it on because I can’t stand a pace over 11 and I know I’ve been over that on some of my naked runs lately.
Thanks! Always enjoy your posts, but this one is especially good for a lot of us. As a youngster you have no idea how many different ways your body will play tricks on you. At 67 after knee surgery on May 22 and trying to recover for Nike Women’s Marathon in October, this one really hits home. My good news – a new bicycle and first season with TNT Cycle Team, there is no history for that sport so less ego.
As for your Garmin – why not change the display so it does not show your pace? You can always look at it later if desired, but take it off the display while you are running? Nothing wrong with “going naked” by leaving the Garmin behind – sort of liberating sometimes.
You know, I should see about that. I’m so tied to my pace that I hadn’t even considered that change. Hmmm… Glad the biking is going well for you.
If your Garmin will connect to your computer, check out Garmin Connect for a nice online way to track/review activities. It can be public, but my preference is to use the private settings. My Garmin 305 gets along very nicely for tracking both my cycling and racewalking. The knee is recovering nicely but the non-load bearing bike is better for it. Then there was my test of “standing in the pedals” a couple of weeks ago. Good thing there were no sensitive ears nearby.
This topic resonates with me. I’m uber pissed when I forget to turn my garmin back on, or forget it at home. I always have a goal in all races. I’m 40, and I’m not sure if the PRs will still be coming…sometimes I forget to enjoy the run…
Lately my goal has been to finish LOL. I’m looking forward to rebuilding my endurance so that finishing is a given.
Good for you. It’s so hard but so necessary sometimes:) My body tends to be injury prone too, so I have to check my ego often
It’s like I turned 40 and BAM! falling apart. What’s up with that? LOL
I love running naked! In fact, most people are shocked when I tell them I do not even own a Garmin. A simple stopwatch with the time is all I need. With that being said, I’ve been waiting for Garmin to come out with a small lightweight watch that looks cute rather than a mini computer strapped to my arm… alas the Forerunner 10 announced today. I might just have to break down and buy one now… but I’m so scared of getting addicted to it like you are. LOL!!
I’ve had to do exactly that for most of this year. It’s really hard when you’ve been a little bit proud of your speed to being passed by the slowest runners in the squad. But none of the squad judge me by my speed – it’s just me who does that so I’ve learnt that just doing it can sometimes be more than enough.
I HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO do my easy days sans-Garmin. That is the only way I go slow enough and/or take walk breaks if I need them.
I consider myself a slow runner. In fact I know I ám a slow runner. Accepting that offers me peace of mind. For me it’s all about the time I put into running.
IM NO RUNNER and yet when I do I seem to get caught up in the HOW FAST WERE YOU?! conversations as well.
I coud have written a lot of that myself! I eve have a post started on the topic, but can’t seem to find the words.
I am nowhere near as “fast” as I used to be and I find it an ongoing struggle to accept that and work with where I am now. I can’t expect to be running at the same paces that I once was, when I now have an added 100 miles on the bike every week, not to mention swimming.
Good post!