Whenever we runners go slow (and think we should’ve gone fast), we say, “I was listening to my body.” Okay, that’s definitely a good thing.
But how come nobody ever says they were listening to their body when they ran faster (than they should’ve)?
Monday I was making up my Sunday long run of 4 miles. Normally, I would’ve had to do it on the treadmill, but Mr. T had to work from home, so when T Junior went down for his nap, I took advantage of the great outdoors!
The long run is supposed to be slower, maybe even a run/walk. But Monday my legs just wanted to go, go, go! I physically and mentally could not slow myself down even though I knew I should. I also added a mile because I felt like it.
Mile 1: 9:24
Mile 2: 9:21
Mile 3: 8:48
Mile 4: 8:59
Mile 5: 8:53
I hope it’s okay to listen to your body when it’s telling you to go fast. I’m sort of a rule-follower.
The run itself: I did my “I Just Felt Like Running” virtual 5K loop backwards, which means I went down the big hill at the beginning of my run instead of going up it at the end. Winning. Except I had a couple miles to make up at the end and I wound up looping around through the neighborhood and was once again at U-go Hill. This time, going up. Luckily, I hit Mile 5 toward the bottom and used the rest of the incline for a cooldown (walk).
This run was a confidence-builder since my legs felt like lead. I only knew they wanted to “go, go, go” because I kept looking at my watch and seeing a sub-9 pace. I actually felt quite sluggish and was running into the wind a lot.
But my mind was peaceful, meditative even. I thought a lot about the catastrophic events happening in Japan, and just about life and family, and feeling extremely lucky to be alive.
That’s one of the things I love about running: it gives me the opportunity to hear my thoughts. I guess, on Monday, I listened to my body and my mind.
10 comments
Running helps clear my head as well but I don't know if I actually “think” about anything when I am running.
That's one of the things I love about running…how peaceful your mind can be and how you are able to have that time to just reflect on your life and have a quiet moment!
loved the last part:I listened to my body and my mind.awesome
I had a really peaceful run today, too. Sometimes running is the best way for me to listen to my body and my mind. Nice job on the speedy five.
I love running. I think the reason people don't say they “were listening to their body” when they went fast is because they don't feel the need to justify it the way they do when they go slow. Not saying you should have to justify any pace; just that we sometimes do.
running is good therapy for me.
Listening to body and midn – I love that, and it's so true. Sometimes the legs just want to GO! Awesome run.
Nice running! I too love the meditative aspect of it.
See my post today, you won!
Great spin on this common phrase Kerrie!! I like it!! mind + body