The scene: my office at home around 6:15 PM. I'm debating whether to run outside where it's quickly getting dark or run on the treadmill. I decide to run outside.
The outfit: I put on black running shorts and my navy blue long-sleeved Illinois Half Marathon tech shirt. Realize that wearing two dark colors is probably not the best thing to do when running outside in the dark. Change to my red long-sleeved Westchester 10K tech shirt. Put on my white visor with the light clipped to it.
The route: Originally planning to do 4 miles. Start out feeling good. Can't see my Garmin after awhile since it's so dark. Give up and run by feel alone. Decide to shake up the route a little bit. Run past a cigar shop. Cough hack cough. Staring to get tired. Make it back to my neighborhood just as I hit the 4 mile mark. Decide to make a loop around the neighborhood before stopping.
The compliment: "Hey, does that hat have a light on it?" Yes, yes it does. "That's awesome! I like it!" Thanks, random dude.
The run: Positive splits all the way, but an overall fast time. Had some weird stomach gurgling issues (note to self: don't eat chili for lunch) and some strange pain on the outside of my right foot at the outset, but made it through just fine. Could have pushed it harder at the end, but it's just a training run, not a race. Overall, very pleased with this particular outing.
In general, life has calmed down somewhat at home. I'm sad that I missed running group on Monday night but proud that I ran essentially the same distance at the same pace all by myself on Wednesday night. The past few runs bode well for easily breaking an hour at my 10K.
On a cardio-related note, another blog I read recently linked to yet another blog whose author posted about cutting down the amount of cardio exercise you do. The author quit running and now gets all her exercise from yoga* and walking and has kept off all the weight she lost and has gotten more toned. She also mentions that she quit planning her workouts weeks in advance and dropped her gym membership. I'm definitely one of those people who feels they need at least 45 minutes of cardio 5 days a week to notice any significant benefits and I thrive on schedules. But, this post made me think about how I get overwhelmed by wanting to try all the different types of exercise that are out there. Sometimes I fantasize about what life would be like if I could just let myself go with the flow and not feel like I need to sweat to have a great workout. What about you?
*I find it amusing that I skipped my yoga class again to go for this run. Although, I'm thinking about switching gyms. If I do, I'll definitely try yoga again. I don't think I have the discipline to do it on my own...yet.
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2 comments:
It's getting to be that time of year... time for runs in the dark! :) I enjoy them, especially when I can get Steven to come with. I love that you have that light!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE cardio and cannot imagine not doing it often, and not somewhat planning it out. There is definitely a point where people become obsessed with exercising too much, but it is what works for me! It makes me feel great and keeps the weight off!
I do like when I get a good sweat for a workout but when it's TOO intense of a sweat, I have a hard time recovering, even with water. So I love it but man I can be a hot mess when it happens.
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