New Perspective on Running

I've recently gained a new perspective on running. I read Women's Running, Runners World, track down articles on running, and follow runners on Twitter. Basically, I spend a good amount of my time learning tips, tricks, healthy eating habits, and what a runner's body needs. The last month I have really been in a low with motivation and determination to run. I normally run on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. When I trained for my 5k and 10k, that is the routine I did. However, the mileage was much shorter then and everyday was a "short" running day. Back them my longest day was 5 miles, which I thought was a killer. Now, my longest day is 10 miles, which I usually run on a Saturday.

I've been slacking and skipping days so my long days seem impossible, and I'm not going to be able to do a half-marathon if I keep up this trend. The other day while I was on Twitter, Runners World posted an article about common mistakes that runners make. One of them being, stuck in a running rut; following a strict schedule instead of just running when you and your body feels like it.

So, I got up this week determined that I was going to hit my mileage this week of 22 miles. Ran 4 on Monday as planned. Tuesday we were out of town in the evening for a concert - normally this would have been a 6 mile day. Wednesday's are normally my rest day, but I felt like running yesterday, so instead of being stuck to my "schedule" I went and run along the Concho River yesterday. It was so FREEING. For me to alter one of my schedules is really unheard of, but I did it and it felt great. And the added bonus is, I'm still on my schedule to hit my mileage this week.

Words of Wisdom: Don't be so tied to a schedule that you forget to enjoy your runs. Don't view it as part of your schedule, but as something you want to do. Don't confine yourself to only running on certain days and deprive yourself of running on days you really want to run.

Quote of the Day: “It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.” – George Sheehan

Positive Side Effects: The feeling you get from freeing your mind while running is like no other feeling in the world. The non-runners don't understand this, but the runners do. Once you break past the wall, and you don't even realize you are running - this is where the true enjoyment of running begins.

Total Mileage:  283.00