I had a revelation this morning: I don’t love running anymore.
It’s become a chore and something I dread doing. But on the days when I don’t run I beat myself up about not just getting my ass in gear. So I’m going to give myself permission not to run for a while, to find something else to do.
I started falling out of love last year after the marathon and when the great depression hit. I had gotten back into decent shape last December, but then we moved and the holidays and blah blah blah. I’m worn out mentally from having to start over every few weeks.
I’m also tired of running by myself. I haven’t found anyone to run with out here, and I can only make it in to town to run with the group on Saturday, and that’s on a good week. When I do make it in to run, I can’t keep up with the group. So I drive 25 minutes to say quick hellos to people and then watch them leave me in the dust as a totter along, feeling slower than slow.
I’ve been running since I was 21. I started after I had knee surgery that allowed me to stand up without wincing in pain. When I was coaching swimming and spending 8 hours a day on the pool deck, I wanted to do anything BUT swim for exercise. So I ran. A lot. Probably too much. Enough to have multiple stress fractures in my leg. But that’s a story for another time.
In 1998, 1999, and 2000, I took running really seriously, going to track and hill workouts and training with a group. I finished the Austin Marathon in 1998 and 1999 and did all the training for the 2000 race before winding up pregnant.
I’ve run with the same core group of women since 1999. I used to watch them run past on the trail and wish I could hang with them. Then one Saturday, as I was blowing along chatting, I realized I had become one of the running chicks I used to envy. That was a good day.
Unfortunately, this is exactly when I need running the most. We’ve got some big stuff we’re dealing with with Ella, which has raised my already high level of anxiety. Running should help me clear my head and get focused, but it doesn’t.
So I’m giving myself permission to take an official break instead of beating myself up over not getting out the door. I’m keeping moving, though. If I don’t take FeeBee for at least a two-mile walk by 8:00 am, she follows me around heaving big heavy doggy sighs. She’s exactly the coach I need right now.
7 comments:
You can always count on dogs to know exactly what we need.
Hang in there and cut yourself some slack. The running chicks will be here whenever you are ready to return.
I think that's called burn out. I usually get that way every year in the Fall and I just do whatever I want. No training plans. I just workout if and when I want.If I don't feel like it I don't do it. So over the last winter I didn't ride my bike at all,I ran when I felt like it and didn't keep track of distances and times but Imanaged to swim a couple of times a week and that was only because I swim with a group and I wanted to keep up with those people socially. Just having that mental break made me want to get back into training again after Christmas. So maybe time off running is just what the doctor ordered :-)
good for you. If it's not fun don't do it. Can you clear your head on dog walks?
Good for you. Maybe it is life telling you to put your energy someplace else.
Anything we do a lot of can turn into feeling like a job we hate----even tennis!
So just don't do it until you WANT to!
And give FeeBee a pat for me.
Found you an activity that will totally keep your mind off of running!!!
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/03/22/449852/women-knit-uteruses-for-lawmakers/
It is loke Forrest Gump - he ran until he didn't want to anymore. So run when you want to again.
Post a Comment