Monday, June 24, 2019

Running is a choice; My Choice


I have made some interesting choices recently, and all have come with interesting outcomes.

What's especially interesting is how many of these choices all came together on an unsuspecting #nevermissaMonday run.


First, let me set the scene....

My Saturday started like most of my Saturdays, with a semi-long run. I'd met up with my friend, Barb, and we ran eight miles with a decent (probably too-fast) pace. We not only conquered several hills, but we also battled a nasty headwind out of the east. All was good.

Later, after a brief rain shower, I chose to (finally) tackle a major landscaping project I'd been putting off since last year. Several plants, in the front yard, needed to be dug up and divided. Also, a huge area of our backyard needed some beautifying. I spent over three hours digging up, dividing, squatting, lifting, and transplanting 16 total plants from one muddy yard to another.

Sunday arrived. Despite my back feeling a bit grumpy, I chose to head out for a short recovery run. As per usual, the run loosened everything up, and I returned home feeling like a new person.
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Later in the afternoon, the hubby had make plans to go for a 15-mile bike ride with a friend, and asked if I wanted to come along. My initial response was, "Ha ha ha...I haven't been on my bike since last summer." A few seconds later, I had a change of heart and chose to tag along. The route was one I'd ridden several times before, so I knew how hilly it was (we're talking seven monstrous hills over the course of 15 miles), but I was eager to get some cross-training done.

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Sunday evening, the hubby and I took a leisurely 2-mile walk with Max (our dog) before bedtime. My quads were feeling a little weary, but the walk felt great.

So, Monday morning arrives, and I'm eager to get out for my ritual early morning #nevermissaMonday run. Tired of the routine 2-mile route I often run, I had the grandiose idea to slip in a little speedwork. I decided to head to the 2-city-block expanse of sidewalk, where I often run intervals back and forth. I could run five sets of intervals, which would net me two miles. With the half-mile warm-up run there (and then back home), I'd have three total miles for the morning. Picture perfect!

Only, within the first couple blocks of running, I could tell my grandiose idea of intervals on that particular morning was, indeed, far too grandiose. My body didn't necessarily "feel" tired, but my legs were like,"Umm, nope. Sorry, honey, this ain't happening." This was a mere 13 hours post-hilly bike ride. I don't think the DOMS were a factor (yet), but something was definitely amiss.

I decided to white flag the grandiose speedwork idea and just run the two miles, at a super easy pace. Like I said, nothing hurt, but things were not moving like usual. My legs felt heavy; my feet didn't want to lift higher than a shuffle. I guess the hilly run on Saturday, the heavy-duty garden work, AND the hilly bike ride on Sunday had taken a toll on my body.  Oh, and the humid, muggy morning air may have been a factor as well.

Although I made it through the run unscathed, I certainly didn't return home feeling like a #badass. Yet, I didn't feel defeated either.
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This run was far from joyful, but I was ever grateful for the ability to persevere and finish it out, none the less. Not every run is going to feel victorious or grand, but every run IS a blessing. There was a time, two years ago, when I couldn't run...a time when I would have gladly traded places with the gal who chose to run easy (instead of doing speedwork) on that muggy Monday morning.

Even though I've had much better runs than that one on Monday morning, I'm choosing to appreciate and respect the short ride on the proverbial "struggle bus." I'm also choosing to shake off this less-than-grand run, and move on. There's going to be some great runs and some not-so-great ones. It's kind of a package deal, right? So, onward!

After all, running is a choice. I'm glad I get to choose to run. Not everyone is so fortunate.

How do you cope with tough runs? Do you struggle through them, or just take them for what they are... and then move on?  Do you treat every run as a gift?

I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Marc  for the Running Coaches' Corner

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26 comments:

  1. Much like you, having not been able to run a couple of years ago (and in my case having faced a health crisis which could have had a far more upsetting and limiting outcome, so I feel I dodged something) I have become much more grateful for my runs and have a better attitude to bad ones than I used to.

    As a side note, for me personally, training for these three (three!!!) races this summer has made me realise I do not like racing. I like running, and yes, I can still have goals (I have some strength goals for the autumn) but running is too important to me to spoil it with racing. So I see even fewer races in my life in future, but just as much running. Thank you for helping us all think about this stuff.

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    1. Thank you!!! I agree with your comment about loving running too much to spoil it with racing. I love doing races, but I do NOT consider myself a "racer" in the competitive sense. I like a faster-than-expected finish time, but I'm not dependent on it for an enjoyable experience ;-)

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  2. Even though I haven't gone through anything like you did, Kim, I do mostly treat each run like a gift. There are days I do find it hard to be grateful for a bad run, though, I will admit.

    But every DAY is a gift, and happiness is a choice. Everyone keeps complaining about the rain -- yes, it's raining while I type this -- but we've also had a handful of beautiful days. I try to dwell on those -- cause really, what makes you happier? To complain about a rainy day or to bask in the memory of the perfect summer day? Or even better, be grateful for the rain that nourishes this earth!

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    1. Yes, there are SO MANY things to be thankful for, it's a buzz kill to dwell on the things that frustrate us.

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  3. Since I'm so sporadic with my running/training, I struggle through more than I care to count. I just push through and move on!

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    1. Pushing through and moving on is a great strategy ;-)

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  4. Run IS a blessing: I agree. And I must remember this quote when I feel lazy and I want to skip a workout. Only when I have a stop for an injury or an health problem I really understand what it means.

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    1. I have always been more positive than negative, but ever since my setback (two years ago), I really have a different outlook on so many things, running and otherwise. Every run is such a gift, no matter how slow, hot, cold, or frustrating.

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  5. Love this post, Kim! We are lucky that running is an option for us. It's not for some people. As I get older, I see and hear about more and more people for whom running is not an option. When I have a tough run (like I did this morning), I usually follow it by a rest day, then forget about it entirely.

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    1. Right? We all need to be more appreciative of the things we can do, rather than dwelling on things we can't. I know...easier said than done, but being grateful has a lot of rewards and health benefits (and possibly a few more laugh lines) ;-)

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  6. To be honest, I'm content with ANY run. I let go of pace goals long ago, nor do I judge runs as "good" "bad" or otherwise. I just love getting out for fresh air and moving, and I hope to do it as long as I can.

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    1. Agreed, I think ANY run is better than no run. I hope to keep on running for as long as I'm breathing, which is one of the reasons I try to keep my mileage moderate (and not high). I don't want to burn up all those miles too soon and regret it later ;-)

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  7. Oh man, I've had more bad runs lately than I care to admit. But like you said, I GET to run. And that has to keep me going.

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    1. The tough runs demand so much more from us (mentally and physically), it's sometimes difficult to brush them off. But, yes, we GET to move on and we GET to look forward to the next run.

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  8. Even when I have a bad run, I try to keep it in perspective. There are so many people that wish they could run or be active and unfortunately they cannot. I always feel blessed when I can lace up my sneakers and run.

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    1. Amen to that!! Even when I was side-lined two years ago, I was SO thankful I could get outside, almost every day, and walk. That first run, after my recovery, was slow but total bliss. I don't think I've complained about a run since (the winter weather, though, that's another story LOL).

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  9. I probably have more tougher runs than easy ones! Especially this time of the year, I struggle in the heat and have to take some walk breaks. I just keep reminding myself that I am exercising and moving forward.

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  10. In our household we call them "bike legs," and even my husband who rides all the time, can feel them the morning after a long ride. Tough runs are, well, tough, but they do make us mentally stronger.

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    1. I agree. Tough runs are a challenge in the moment, but I (almost) always feel empowered when I finish.

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  11. we are all so lucky to be able to run!

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  12. I love this "Not every run is going to feel victorious or grand, but every run IS a blessing." So true. I've been having my share of good and bad runs but like Marcia mentioned earlier, I need to stop judging each run and just be happy that I get to run. :-)

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    1. It's so true...not every one gets to choose to run, so we all should embrace each and every run we do. There may come a day when we can no longer do them, after all.

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  13. I have a lot of those days, but I'm glad to see you still got in your Monday miles!

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