I'd rather be sleeping
People ask me: "So are you still running, now that you did your marathon?" It's amazing how many found almost exactly the same wording.
Yes, I am. It feels strange to have settled into this mood, where running is mine for a while. I cannot see beyond the end of the year, but until then it's a season of running.
Running feels different now. It is less encumbered, less anxious, less confined to a specific goal. I still do not enjoy it. What I hate most is getting up early, when the night is still dark and sleep is lovely.
Even on week-ends, the dread of waking is unvoidable. Otherwise long runs would have me running until noon. It gets too hot too fast, and I'd faint.
Ideally I would run minimally during the week, simple reminders to the body, and otherwise keep in shape by running races on week-ends. Perhaps this is the single most important way in which running has changed. Before I dreaded races.
posted by runliarun @ 7:37 AM
13 Comments:
I like the strategy of keeping in shape by running races on weekends. The trick is that you can't go all out every race or you might wear down after a few weekends (unless you have superior genes). I'm trying your strategy this summer but I have to keep reminding myself to treat most of the races as training runs, not true races.
i agree with your title, early morning before the sunrises is the perfect time to get the run out of the way in the summers.
I really understand what you mean. I'm not in love with running, really. It's more of a need and I don't really enjoy running ever as much as I enjoy having completed a run.
If only laying in a chaise lounge drinking in the sun would whittle my thighs and get my heart rate up. :)
It makes sense to me to own it and embrace it while you love it!
While I do love running, I don't always want to get out of bed. I am auto-pilot after so many years, turn the alarm off, pop out of bed, stumble to the bathroom. Contacts in. By then I'm usually awake. I love, love, love running in the early morning though - I love the dark, I love foul weather, I love the spring and summer sunrises. I love moving through the quiet morning. I guess I'm lucky to love it all!
I guess i'm the oddball here. I actually enjoy running. I also enjoy sleeping. And when sleep wins, running happens later in teh day and it's not as much fun, but I still enjoy it. Of course I dont run as far as you, so I get to sleep longer. Maybe that is the difference.
I like your idea of racing on teh weekends!
And I hope you decide that you *are* up for some Chips-n-Salsa in September (just for a stretch of course, after you've run the marathon the week earlier).
I can't say that I would rather be sleeping....I do enjoy running in the early morning....what I'm finding is that as you get older you can't survive on the minimal hours of sleep that once worked, so something has to give, late night TV or the early morning runs...so far the runs are winning. I too like the idea of at least a 5k race/run somewhere on the weekends.
It's a strange thing, getting up is so hard, but once your there your glad you are running. I think the body will crave and miss it.
But after awhile you will get used to it and running does get easier. The waking up early never does.
Good job continuing to run! Me...morning...not fun as well!
A race can be the goal that keeps you running.
Funny, I can get up earlier on the weekend to go for a run than I can during the week to go to work. Running = fun, work = well its work.
I am not crazy about sleep, but enjoy rest, if that makes sense. I love to run in the morning and the way it makes me feel. I hope you find the love in running.
Unencumbered running is good running. Sometimes it pays to leave everything, mentally and physically behind and hit the road. At least that's my theory right now.
Good luck with your trip!
you must like something about it right? Otherwise I doubt you would get up early and do it.
I think the break while you are out of town will be good. You'll come back rested and maybe you'll enjoy your first run back a bit :)
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