Lately I haven't been LOVING running. I have been running, and happy to go running, but not like IN LOVE with running. I think it has something to do with constantly being on a training plan. I haven't run many trails and everything has been on the road.
Today I started out on the road and had plans to stay on the road, but then I saw this "road" that leads off through the hills. I took it. I didn't care if I got grass seeds in my shoes, I was heading to the hills!
 |
| See the road? |
I ran until I came to a gate and then stopped to decide if I should go back or cross the fence and keep going up. While I procrastinated which way I wanted to go I snapped this picture of my little dog watching a cow. He really likes cows.
I started down the hill and then stopped. I didn't want to go back to the main roads, I wanted to go up, I wanted to stay on trails, I wanted solitude. I wanted quiet. I wanted more wide open spaces.
I wanted this.
and this
I stopped and did about 15 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes of just sitting with my dog enjoying the views. It was a beautiful fall day.
Then I finished my run rather euphoric, my legs are feeling good and recovered and my soul refreshed. Seriously the best run mentally in a long time. I think I will do nothing but trails every chance I get for awhile.
and while I don't know if running really is cheaper than therapy, runs like this are the best kind of therapy. While I still may do a half marathon in October I have already decided I am not going to go all out training for it. I love running half marathons, I just am so over doing 800s and tempo runs and trying to reach specific paces etc, I just want to enjoy running for running. Besides all these crazy hills are pretty good training.
I already have three halfs and a relay on the schedule for next year. This year will hopefully have one more half marathon and at least one more 5k.
When was the last time you had a "fall back in love with running" run?
I'm in the process of that now! I've been so burned out on running since last spring and with the wedding chaos, I just couldn't be bothered. But I have a half coming up quickly so I hit the trails in a last-ditch effort to learn to run again in five weeks, and remembered how much I love it. But, that only counts if I'm on trails-- I still HATE running on the road!
ReplyDeleteIn the fall I fall back in love with running. It is drudgery all summer long. I'm in that process now. It started with a 5K I put some effort into and came close to my PR, and it will all go better from this point forward. And yes, trails, now is trail time, the people are leaving them the leaves are falling, the air is crisp, I can breathe.
ReplyDeleteYou have the most amazing views & paths to run...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this yesterday. I have not loved running in several months. Yesterday I actually enjoyed running. Hopefully I can get back to where I was. Thanks for sharing, I would love to run with scenery like that.
ReplyDeletebakingrunner.blogspot.com
Running on a training plan that you aren't really into is a bummer. Glad you got in a run you enjoyed!!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of your views...
ReplyDeleteLOVELOVELOVE THIS as I think it could make even ME fall in love, too.
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand being burnt out on running after following plan after plan. But it's so nice you can try a new trail to change it up and rejuvenate your running love :) I absolutely love the scenery you and Cola dog get to run in every day :)
ReplyDeleteYAY! for you and for Cola too... bet he loved it as much as you did.
ReplyDeleteSince I am never training for anything specific these days, all my runs are LOVE to run runs.