Friday, March 29, 2013

Each Run

I've been running since middle school when I played field hockey and then through high school, and into college.  Ironically what I loved most about field hockey in college were the long run days (hmm maybe then I should have known I was in the wrong sport?) But I didn't really start focusing on running until my senior year of college.

It was all about feeling like I accomplished something.  It became my hobby that brought me a great sense of pride.  It was a huge focus in my life senior year of college and I'm grateful for it.   I followed a strict training plan and I let nothing get in the way of my training.  I was struggling to find me and somehow running helped me define myself.  It was all mine.  Five miles covered couldn't be taken away.  Each accomplishment continually built on one another to make me the runner I am today (4 years later).

I'm not a superstar runner and I'm certainly not in as good of shape right now as I was this time last year, but I'm still running and I hope to run longer miles as spring and summer approach.

Yesterday I ran 9.3 miles on the treadmill.  YAY!  I haven't run that long in a while and it felt really good to know I still had it in me.  The 7 miler I had done 2 weeks prior was horrible.  My stomach felt bad and the whole thing was incredibly challenging mentally and physically.  But my 15K yesterday was...dare I say:  pretty effortless.  I still didn't start to feel good until about mile 5 (talk about a long warm-up), but once I did hit mile 5 it became really enjoyable.  I increased my speed and ran hard until the end. Oh, and I broke out some new sneakers that had been sitting in my closet since last fall - seemed about time for a fresh pair! 

The white sneakers with blue laces are the new ones!  Tuesday's run was outside,
but I stuck to the treadmill for my long run yesterday.

Each run is an opportunity.

Each run is a challenge.

Each run is a learning experience.
 
Each run is a fresh start.

Each run brings me happiness.

Each run is all mine.

That is why I run...

After my run yesterday I actually had a doctor's appointment for my knees.  They haven't been feeling too bad and definitely haven't been so bad that I can't run, but I wanted to take the safe route and have my doctor see what the deal is.  I had x-rays done and I'm getting an MRI next week.  I told him I had run 9 miles before my appointment and he kindly smiled (obviously he's dealt with runners before). 

I hate the thought of taking a break from running, but I'm going to try to incorporate the elliptical more just to be safe!

And it's already Friday.  What are your weekend plans?

What does running bring to your life?

14 comments:

  1. I love your appreciation for running! Now that I am having such horrible knee problems and am not able to run very often, I now have a much greater appreciation for what my body IS capable of doing. For those who are able to run they SHOULD!

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    1. I hope your knees get better! Thank you for your comment :) I want to run as long as I can!!!

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  2. Long runs outside are my favorite. I have yet to attempt to describe it, maybe I'll think about it today instead of my normal thoughts. I am deathly afraid of injury, really hope all is good with your knee!

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    1. Thank you - I hope so too! Long runs outside are my favorite too!

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  3. Your approach to running is such a wonderful one! Oh no, I hope your knee is okay! That's no fun to go through injuries.

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  4. I love how you describe what each run does for you. I am new to running and feel like it's really hard to explain to others how good it makes you feel. I hope your knee is okay!

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    1. It's a really good feeling right?! And thank you about my knee!

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  5. I love your attitude toward running. If more people thought of exercise as therapy and not torture, we'd be a much healthier society!

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    1. Totally agree - it's an absolute sort of therapy!

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  6. Such an inspiring post! I'm a newbie runner, well I used to run 5 or so miles regularly a couple of years ago but after having a baby I haven't really tackled running as much as I would like. I'm very intimidated by it but it makes me feel better knowing that even seasoned & experienced runners dread the treadmill at times too. Thanks for this great perspective! :-)

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    1. Thank you for your comment! It can totally be intimidating, but I think if you look at it as a "happy thing" rather than the "dreaded run" it can become something so amazing. Hope you have some happy runs soon! :)

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  7. P.s. I'm linking this post to a post of mine on running. Thanks again for the inspiration! :-)

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