I think I am a fairly easy-going, low key, low maintenance person. (Feel free to jump in and disagree--I know someone who thinks she is low maintenance, but is actually the most high maintenance person on the face of the Earth.) I liked how this translated to my running. I got up, had some coffee, put on my running shoes and headed out the door. I think those days are over.
Following my back-to back migraines, I had a running break. I missed two long runs. It was also a week of decisions and changes aimed at making the kids' lives easier (especially my little Dude who is still having a rough time). Last week would probably have benefited from a few runs, but I watched the barometric pressure and it scared me off of running.
But I have a half-marathon coming up soon. I can't afford to miss long or short runs. As it stands now I am on a steady ramp up to race day. My first 13 miles will be on race day. So last night I made the decision to run this morning NO MATTER WHAT. Mondays are usually a recovery run, so it's already short. Just in case, it was also going to be slow. It was also going to be well prepped; no more low maintenance running.
So now, I am a high-maintenance runner. Good sleep, fuel, NSAID and allergy medicine, hydrate, go. I wasn't going to check the barometer, but the weather man said it was high, so I did go check. It was high, but steady and I decided to head out. It is usually the changes that are a trigger, so I was going with the theory that high, but steady was okay. (As I type this, I keep checking for blind spots and "floaties"--so far so good.)
"High, but steady" was a bit of a mantra today. And it wasn't just the barometric pressure. It's now the kind of runner I am: high-maintenance, but I get out and do it. Slower, but I will steadily get faster. Low mileage, but it will slowly but surely add up.
Today's Run: 2.6 miles. 33:18 mins. 12:48 min/mile.
I feel like I am going backwards, but I guess as long as I am running I am making progress.
What is your pre-run routine? Do you consider yourself high-maintenance or low-maintenance?
I also enjoy coffee before a run. Sometimes I might take some motrin. A small snack, depending on the time of day. The most critical element-a trip to the potty. Not trying to be gross but there are limited bathrooms along my route. Need to use it while I can! :)
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