Things I Remembered About Running

I have been working my way back to running.  The early morning spin classes were fun, but early.  And I had to drive there.  Random people would ask me if I ran and I would have to sheepishly say, "well, kind of."  I have been nagging my husband who is supposed to run a half marathon this month to get out and do some running before the event (pot, kettle.)  And I am signed up for The Color Run in October.  I have friends that are doing some most excellent running (and posting about it on Facebook.)  I know they are not deliberately rubbing their running in my face, and I celebrate their successes, but I feel guiltier and lazier with each successive post.  So I went for a run. And I remembered a few things while I was out there.

• Even if you do nothing else all day, you feel like you have accomplished something.
• If you have a whole list of things to do and run anyway, you feel like Wonder Woman.
• No matter how many bumps and bulges there are, you feel strong in your running clothes.
• It ensures you take a shower, no matter what.
• Writing ideas?  Sure.
• Your dog really enjoys the post-run cool down walk.  And so do you.
• It sucks to be starting again.
• I am a runner.

Fall into Fitness

It's the first day of fall.  The changing seasons usually makes me take a break and look around.  I talk about this on my blog, "What's Next?"

It turns out pausing to take stock is a good thing.  I took a look around earlier and realized that summer was over.  And I had met a total of ZERO of my summer fitness goals.  

I had used the completion of the Newport Half Marathon last October and the oncoming chill of the New England winter as my excuse for backing off of my regular running.  

I was going to get back to it.  

I was waiting for the weather to get a bit nicer. Then all of a sudden it was just too damn hot.  

I started going to 6AM spin classes in July, then the sun started to come up a bit later and it was getting too dark in the morning. And the kids started back to school and our calendar got a little crazy.  And I just didn't feel like it.

So spin was hit or miss.

Well, you know what?  I miss working out.  I miss the feeling of accomplishment that comes after a good workout--really even after a crappy workout because, hey, I did it.  

So I am looking at the calendar, going through my workout clothes, revisiting Map My Run, checking out cycling shoes. I am gearing up.  

Do the changing seasons make you reassess where you are?  Are you where you want to be?