Good and Bad
It is as true with running as anything else: there are good and bad experiences. After beginning running 3 years ago, training for and completing a full marathon and several races along the way, having a baby, not running at all, and noncomittedly returning to running, I have finally began to consistently run again. I have a training schedule. It’s a new training program (Hanson Brothers), that emphasizes fewer mileage, higher quality runs. The idea being that you don’t run any wasted, or junk miles.
For the last month, I’ve been getting out about 4 times a week, having great 3-5 miles runs, reducing my overal minutes per mile and thoroughly enjoying each run. Two nights ago, I decided to go for a run with my husband riding with me. I let him choose the route: it was hilly, and hot. I cut the run short at 2.5 miles. I could actually feel my feet dragging on the ground; and it was difficult to attain that light, quick turnover that I am used to. I was so discouraged by this run, so I swapped with my husband. He diverted to do a speed workout, and I rode the long way home toting my 18 month old in our bike trailer.
I started reflecting on the last month or so. In retrospect, I really have no reason to complain. This is the first time since I started running 3 years ago that I haven’t felt sore, fatigued, or like I’ve overworked some muscle or muscle group. I am slowly, and surely building my base mileage, doing it the right and smart way. I’m starting to feel myself gaining strenth, and in turn, speed. Oddly enough, I think that riding directly after running has really made a huge difference in my recovery. I am going to guess that the movemeny of cycling dynamically stretches the muscles, as well as working to realign whatever musculoskeletal side effects of running.
This is part of the reason I love running. It’s always dynamic; it’s a journey. If you approach it the right way, it doesn’t get boring. You’re always accomplishing something (a best time, a PR, a new longest run), or being given a reason to reflect on and realign aspects of your training. Reflect on your last bad run, and think about what it was that contributed to the misery of that run. Did you start out too fast? Was it too hot? Did you attempt too many miles? Did you allow too little time for recovery? Chances are, you can easily adjust a minute detail to make your next run a smashing success.
