When Runners Don’t Run
Lately, I have not been running.
Unusual, considering the fact that running was one of the founding reasons that I started this blog. Not surprising considering the amount of exercise classes that I am teaching as the holidays approach.
I think it is normal for runners to go through a hiatus. I find my year cycles through times when I am running almost every day and some times when I go months without strapping on my Garmin and heading out for a decent run. I think a break is necessary and vital for almost every runner to exhale, cross train and prep themselves for the next race.
I am used to this hiatus now, but before I settled into a rhythm of running and taking breaks, I would think I was less of a person, less of me, because I wasn’t running. It sounds ridiculous, but I know I am not alone in this. I have seen many friends journey through injuries and sink into a slump. If this is you right now, my encouragement to you is if you love running, you are a runner whether you are off for cross training, due to injury or simply for a mental break!
As the New Year is looming, I am reflecting on my race schedule of 2012 which truthfully was quite meagre. The busier my year is, the less races I can fit in because I want to make sure that I have proper time to train and prepare.
March 2012: Around the Bay:
A fantastic race where I got to run with some of my best runner friends that started with a sleepover and ended with a surprise appearance from Jesse. It did make me rethink doing a spring 30 km + because it is hard to train when the weather gets nasty because I love training outside. There were more heart attacks and ambulances at this race than any other I have ever seen.
May 2012 – The Starbucks Run for Women
This was a fantastic 10 km race. How could it not be? There was Starbucks coffee and I met Catriona Lemay Doan.
Since May, I did a couple of varsity 5 KM races. And that’s it!
Looking ahead to the New Year, I want to do a significant race in the spring and the fall. I am leading a half marathon clinic in the spring, so I am thinking I will aim for a Triathlon in June and a marathon in the fall. The crazy thing is I have never ran a marathon. I have done a 1/2, 30 km and 50 km, but never the actual marathon distance. This is my year!
What are some of your running goals for the New Year?
Not a runner? What are you doing to stay healthy and strong in 2013?
I’m so proud of the way you’re thinking now 🙂 I’m glad you’re taking some breaks here and there.
I’m not a runner, but I’m quickly turning into one (haha!). For 2013, I’m running after my dog. That’s how I’m staying healthy.
Love it! I cannot wait to meet the little guy!
You are so not alone in this! And it’s nice to hear neither am I. I’m not a runner but I adore yoga and have fallen out of a regular practice since I moved away from Waterloo. Silly as it is, I do feel like I’m not totally myself when I’m not practicing regularly. I do love it. It’s nice to think of myself as a yogi anyway.
I am so glad to hear this. I find the busier I am, the less time I have for running and I assume it is the same for you and yoga. You are travelling the world and I know you as a yogi whether you are practicing or not. I am certain that when the time is right, you will practice regularly again!
What a great race Around the Bay was. I’m so grateful to have shared the course and the weekend with you and Mia! I’m looking forward to a New Year and new race goals. Calgary Marathon here I come!
Yay!!! So excited for you and yes – it was an amazing race! Also – are you still game for Meet Your Maker in 2014?
So far so good! Meet your Maker would be epic, I’d still love to do it!
Ok. It is on the list then. 😀 SOOO excited!