2008-05-16

This spring it has been a chore.

In fact, not only do I have a problem getting started (ie an overcast day has me saying--well it might rain, perhaps tomorrow I'll run--actually this is not new, but usually when I get going I'm fine), but I'm also having trouble running the entire 3 mile route. I make deals with myself--run to that sign, you can walk to the next. Until yesterday I had not run an entire 3 miles since the race.
Also, my legs hurt all the time. Not injury hurt, but pushing your muscles too hard hurt. If I take a few days in a row off (not unheard of), they feel better but then the day after I run, I'm back to the hurt. And perhaps hurt is inaccurate--mild discomfort is probably better. I don't think I'm actually injured--this happens at times with the yoga class I take, I'll go perhaps a month with this mild discomfort after yoga which goes away until the next class, and then for a few months the class doesn't make me ache at all.

Perhaps if someone else were telling me this story, I'd say--well if you aren't enjoying it you should quit. Find some other aerobic activity that you love that doesn't feel like a chore. But you know what? For all the grumping I'm doing, I like running. I like how I feel after I've run. I like how it feels to be a part of a big race. I like how it feels when I finally hit my stride. I like the time to be by myself and I like running through other neighborhoods.
Yesterday, I mapped a new run--an out and back that made husband laugh. (He said it seemed like I was really going out of my way to get in the 3 miles.) I put Splendid table back on the ipod (I've been running to music before this) and headed out. I stopped only to tie my shoe. I didn't take my watch so I have no idea how long it took--and I decided that time wasn't the issue. The route was 3.2 miles. I made a deal with myself that i could stop at the neighbors house (2 houses from the stopping point), but then decided I could make it to the end of the street after all. I was very proud of myself.

I'd like to say I have my mojo back, but I don't know. I wasn't totally happy with that route and I'm not happy with the other two routes I usually run either. Last year I ran the same route every time and I enjoyed it, but this year I dread running that route. I'm trying to avoid major roads, so I can run on the road and not have to stop (long) to cross any roads (one route I take crosses a busy road, sometimes I have to wait a LONG time, other times I just pause). These criteria make it hard because I live on a busy road. I can run around my "block" and it is actually a mile if I go down my street, up three (less travelled) streets and then back--but three times around the block is simply a disaster.

I'm hoping that as I keep going it starts to feel a little better for me, more natural and more fun WHILE I'm running.

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