Monday, July 14, 2014

Sweaty Mess

After the kids were in bed last night, I called to my husband, "I'm going out for a run!"  His response? "You are????"  

*sigh*  You know you've been a lazy slacker for entirely too long when your husband actually sounds incredulous when you tell him you're going for a run.  I will admit to a snarky reply, but I won't repeat it here.

I headed out, deciding that I would just see let the entire run happen organically.  No plan, no pressure, just moving feet and a general idea of about 30 minutes.  Turns out that not having ever been fast, and having always been fairly inconsistent in my running actually turned out to be helpful.  I had no ego to contend with, no expectations to meet, and I was just able to cruise (plod) along, enjoying the silence and the time outside.

I was a sweaty mess when I got home, due to the temps and humidity, but it felt good.

While I was out there, I remembered thinking last year that I just wanted to get to the point where I was running 3 - 5 miles, a few times a week, at a "decent" pace.  I just wanted to go out for a half hour to an hour each night, enough to clear my head and keep my weight in check (though at this point, I need to lose 20 lbs before I can worry about keeping things "in check").

It was never my plan to be a long distance runner.  I once railed against the idea of running a half marathon, and then all of a sudden I'm signing up for timed events and talking about going on hours-long training runs?  I'm not sure what I was thinking.  I guess talking to so many talented runners who truly "go the distance" got to me, and I wanted to be like them.  To accomplish something great.  The truth is, though, that it's just not me.  Or, at least, not right now, not at this point in my running "career."

I just want to run.  Whatever that looks like.  I have nothing to prove to anyone, and trying to do things that are not really in my nature is only going to leave me discouraged (or hurt).  I'd rather just run a few miles here and there and be happy with that.

I will likely still sign up for races every now and again, but my sights are set lower, and I'm reminded of why I fell in love with running in the first place - because it makes me happy.


5 comments:

  1. Yay for rediscovering the love for running!! That's what it's all about. Don't get so wrapped up in goals and races that you lose the love!

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  2. Good for you! Not everyone has to do the same thing in running... or even run! I remember a few years ago I was training hard for a 5K and quite a few people gave me crap about it cause it was "so short." Whatever. 5Ks are hard. LOL.

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  3. I'm so glad that you're finding your happy again! The whole point is that running for us is a hobby, and our hobbies should be fun and enjoyable!

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  4. Thanks, everybody! kilax - 5Ks ARE hard! For sure.

    You know, I switched comment forms and now I can't reply to you guys (gals) individually. What's up with that? Hmmmm...

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  5. Great idea!! My oldest son runs every day but refuses to ever race - he just likes to go out for 20-40 minutes every single day. it makes him happy so I love it!

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