On Friday I had decided to run long on Saturday alone. I have problems running long distances (over 6 miles) by myself. I get lazy, or tired, or can't think about anything else but how many miles I have to run still. I'm sure this affects my performance somewhat during races (half marathon distance or longer) because I find it hard to push myself if I'm running alone. So I figure the first step is to try to run long more often alone. Plus I could sleep in on Saturday and not have to meet my run groups at 7 am (not necessary all the time during these winter months!).
While I was thinking on Friday about my long run on Saturday, I had originally thought of doing a progressive run. Sometimes doing something with each mile keeps my mind busy on that particular mile instead of how much I still have left to go. However, I didn't get home until extremely late on Friday night (I think I said Friday night..."This is the advantage of not training for a marathon like I did last Spring, I can stay up later."). It was really hard to push myself out of the door on Saturday around 10:00 a.m. That is why I love meeting my run group early on a Saturday, it's so much easier to get yourself out the door! I had also decided before I left that morning that I really wasn't into checking my pace and thinking about my time the entire run. I was a little tired since I got home late (and hadn't been sleeping well for about a week anyway) and thought maybe I could just try to enjoy the run. "Be one with nature."
I had seen Maggie use the "running blind" method before by hooking her garmin to her shoe so she wasn't tempted to look at it. I decided to try this...
Excuse the cat hair on my pants...I just noticed that. |
I don't know what it is about long runs alone. My mind doesn't cooperate. I wanted to stop at mile 2 and be done. MILE 2! All I could think about was having over 7 miles left to go (not that 7 miles is THAT long but still...). I did sneak a peek at my garmin a few times but more so for miles than to see my pace. Not much else to say about this run. I managed to get through it. It was definitely a rough run but those happen sometimes.
We still had no snow in Chicago Saturday. I say "had" because it snowed some wet snow later that evening which made things incredibly icy for my run the next morning. I took that run to the grassy area on the side just so I wouldn't slip and hurt myself.
I snapped a few photos during my Saturday run.
At the beginning of the run...to show the lack of snow in Chicago |
I love this part of this loop. I'm a sucker for water. |
How do you feel about long runs? Do you run them alone? With a group? Are they peaceful for you? How do you get through them without counting every mile and every step you take?
I am a fan of long runs and I run them alone. I usually try to pick up the pace the last few miles to keep me focused. They are much easier for me in the winter. I feel like I could run all day. Yes, we need some snow! At least one or two good snowfalls would be nice.
ReplyDeleteI do the CARA training, so i run with a few friends. I don't mind doing the long runs alone, but i prefer that there be other runners around, even if its only a few. I get nervous if there is no one around!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that it is good to get in the habit of running long by yourself. I plan on doing that during this next marathon training cycle! :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes when I'm alone I'll think of things I need to do when I get home, fun stuff that I want to make or do, or I listen to music (if I don't listen to music, sometimes I'll sing quietly to myself to get pumped up).
Running blind is fun! I did it for a whole month after the misery that was the Chicago Rock N Roll half. It was a great learning experience.
I don't mind doing long runs alone. The hardest thing for me is getting up in the morning to work out. I used to be better at it but not anymore. We've got snow here in Rhode Island. Surprised you don't have any there.
ReplyDeleteSince I don't run more than a 5k, I have no problem with running alone - but longer distances? Not sure!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the same thing - I haven't even MOVED our snow blower and the shovels are still in the shed - so crazy this far into winter with no measurable snow fall!
Hope you are feeling better!