Some days, it feels like we’re never going to launch.
Sigh.
I firmly believe that there is exactly one positive to living somewhere as hot and humid as Houston in the summer: the fact that when it does cool off, even a little, it feels like Christmas and every other holiday all rolled up into one big ball of goodness. Yesterday was one such day. Sure, it was overcast, and sure, it was gray, and sure, it even drizzled a bit. But it was fabulous!
I ran. I ran outside. It felt so good. I only went 3 miles, and it was cool enough that I talked Jose into running with me. He hasn’t really run since the Astros Race for the Pennant at the end of May, so we took things very slow and covered the 3 miles in 37:20. That pace felt fantastic, and I chatted Jose’s ear off the whole time. (What’s that they say about exercising hard enough that it’s difficult to talk?) Hopefully he found it entertaining, not annoying.
As for my next goal, I’ve decided to try something a little different. I’m going to focus on the short term, which means that, for now, my goal is the USA 10-Miler on October 15 and nothing beyond. After the 10-miler, I’ll decide whether to try for the 25K, etc. I did sign up for the Houston Half yesterday, so that’s on the calendar at the moment. Maybe I’ll upgrade to the full, maybe not. For now: 10-miler in a month and a half.
I’ve also decided to lower my expectations for a while. For the past 1-2 years, my running has become more and more focused on performance and speed. I’m not really getting much faster though, which just leaves me feeling frustrated and burnt out. Last night’s easy run was so much fun that I started thinking that perhaps I’ve been putting too much pressure on myself. This is probably going to sound weird to most of the runners I know, who are constantly striving to get better and faster, but I’ve decided to lay off on myself for a while. I’m not going to pay much attention to speed. I’m going to run for time or distance, but not both. I need to get back to the reason I started running five years ago — for fitness, because it makes me feel good, and because it can be fun. No more self-induced pressure to be “fast.” I want to go to races to have fun, be social, and see my friends, not to always be trying to beat my previous time. I want to stop beating myself up for not being able to meet a certain time goal.
I want to just run. And have fun.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if that in itself ends up with me becoming a better, happier runner.
I watched Jaws last night. No, I’d never seen it, though I’d seen enough clips here and there to know how it ended. There was one part that made me actually yelp out loud, flinch, and shield my eyes. I don’t like scary movies.
I’ve got a short temper today. Off to make it through the afternoon.
I like your new attitude on running. You really need a break to just have fun. Good job!
I remember seeing Jaws in the theater when I was 9 years old. My mom took me and my cousin to see it. We watched the whole thing with our hands over our eyes and then afterwards couldn’t understand why my mom was white as a ghost walking out of the theater. We said, “It wasn’t that scary!”
I had to have the same attitude adjustment about 2 weeks ago…running for fun & fitness has also become my goal. BTW, hope the launch happens soon!
We’re on the same wavelength today. I’ve been wondering about that moving launch date but I figure it’s frustrating enough w/o me asking about it!
You know, I did speed work yesterday morning. And it reminded me…I really like that whole jogging/easy pace concept. I’m just not competitive with myself to really get into faster times and PR’s and all that.
I will do the training because that’s what I signed up for, but it just doesn’t get me excited about it. I’d rather just run for the fun of it instead of trying for a certain time in a race.
I have been a lurcher on you blog for about a year now. This entry inspired me to comment because I just realized this myself. On Monday I had a run where I just would not give myself a break, “why do you always end up walking, why don’t you push harder and on and on.” And yesterday I ran with someone who has not been running much outside so she needed a much slower pace. It occurred to me I had fun again. Maybe fun doesn’t involve the constant push and maybe fun involves compassion for myself. Great to hear your back to enjoying, may we continue to remember these lessons.
yay! another running for fun person!!
its my favorite thing to do!