No Reason

I have yet to experience the need to run.  I don't have that runner's high.  I don't feel badly if I don't get to go for a run.

On the other hand, I usually do feel better after a run.

I didn't want to go for a run today.  I had a bunch of excuses (although admittedly, none were very good excuses), but I didn't have a reason.  So I ran.

Still, since I really didn't want to run I used my "April Challenge" out.  I only ran one mile.  But it was a beautiful mile on a gorgeous spring day on a small New England island.  Then I took my dog for a walk.  

So, I didn't need to run, but I am glad I did.

Boston

I will never qualify for Boston.

I will never run a marathon.

I may never run another half marathon.

But I ran today.

I ran my 2.26 mile route.  I ran without intervals.  I ran without stopping.

I ran without fear.

While I was running I thought about all of the races when my children and I stood at the finish line cheering on Brian.

And all of the times our roles were reversed and they stood at the finish line waiting for me.

I listened to my breathing. I felt my feet hit the pavement.  

I ran into a cold headwind. I ran up the hills.  I ran with my calves burning.

I waved to the cars as they passed.  Few waved back.  They didn't know why I ran.  That's okay.  I knew.

I ran because I could.

Afraid on Foreign Soil

I ran today.  I ran my usual route.  Or what had been my usual 2.25 mile loop.  Today was different.  Today, I ran afraid.

• I ran afraid because nothing looked familiar.  It had been so long since I ran this loop that everything looked foreign.  All of the trees were bare. I could see houses that I couldn't see before.  Houses had been built in my absence.  Houses had been torn down and renovated.  It was not my usual route.
• I ran afraid because I was only doing two and a quarter miles; three would have added another hill.
• I ran afraid to run too fast.  I didn't want to tire out.  I ran with intervals
• I ran afraid that the run and the weather front would conspire to cause another migraine.
• I ran afraid that the road back was too long and too hard.

But this I know:

• The foreign becomes familiar.
• Two becomes three, then four, then five...
• Slow becomes fast.
• You can only prepare yourself the best you can; you cannot control the weather.
• The road back is the right road.  

So for today, I ran.  I ran with fears and I ran with doubts, but I ran .  

I will not, however, tell you my time.  

Hardest. Run. Ever.

I ran the Jamestown Bridge 10K yesterday morning.  I ran it even though I really didn't want to, but I don't regret it.  What looked like a miserably cold morning for a run turned out to be almost perfect (just a little windy on the top of the bridge).  It got me out and running.  I ran with a friend.  My family was there to cheer me along the course, and my mom made me Eggs Benedict when I got home.

Today was a different story.  Today I hobbled around Newport.  Stairs and chairs were my enemies.  Sitting, standing, walking--none were without pain.  That's what I get for taking so much time off.  

Taking all of that into consideration, I didn't want to run today's mile.  But even more than that, I really, really didn't want to run three miles tomorrow.  So, as my family was heating up various leftovers from multiple forays to area restaurants during Newport's Restaurant Week, I mapped out a mile loop, laced up my tennis shoes, and hobbled outside.  As I walked (I use the term loosely) to the starting point I questioned my sanity.  As I started running, I knew I was crazy.  

A mile later, I was finished.  And that's about all I can say for that run.  Except that when Brian questions my choice of attire and says it is too warm out to wear pants, no only should I wear pants, but I should also wear gloves.

Elizabeth Westman and I crossing the finish line.
My hat's on backwards because, yes, it was that windy!

Consistently Adaptable

Today's run was overcome by events (OBE).  I planned, I made changes, I planned again.

Not. Gonna. Happen.  

So, after yesterday's long spiel about April being all about consistency, blah, blah, blah; today I add a caveat:  plans change.   No mile today.  The 10K looms large on Sunday.  It will have to be enough.

Did you get your run in today?

One Mile

As you know, I signed up for the April "Run Your Ass Off" Challenge.  The premise behind the challenge is to run one mile every day in April.  If you miss a day, you run three miles the next day.  You skip two days?  Run five miles.  

Because of this, today hosted a rare event:  an afternoon run.  My morning didn't lend itself to a run.  In the past the answer to that was a simple,  "Oh well, maybe next time".  Today I was supposed to run a mile.  And I really didn't want to run three miles tomorrow.  (Tomorrow is Thursday.  On Thursdays I play Mah Jongg.  I was already trying to figure out how to get one mile in; three was too much to contemplate.)  So, even though I had already gotten dressed for the day (make-up and everything) and been out in the world, I changed into my running gear, and  since it is still chillingly cold outside, hopped on the treadmill. 

As I was running, I kept thinking that this was a lot to go through for a mile.  If I was going to go to the trouble of getting all sweaty anyway, shouldn't I put on some mileage? Shouldn't I really make it worth my while?

No.  After taking the long, cold winter off, this mile-a-day challenge is exactly what I need right now.  I need to concentrate on consistency.  The low mileage makes it easy to get to every day.  The higher mileage penalties incentivize the daily run.  Again, this is exactly what I need.

[I will not be running this Friday and Saturday (guests in town).  To make up for those two missed days, I am running a previously scheduled 10K on Sunday--all within the rules.]

I will be running a mile every day.  I am looking for consistency.  In that consistency, I will strive for improvement.  

Yesterday, I ran my mile almost a minute faster than Monday.  Today, I ran a couple of seconds faster than yesterday. Tomorrow?  Maybe another second. Or two.   And in the end, I hope to regain my running self that I let languish over the winter.

Did you run today?  Are you running tomorrow?