Now that I can run again, I’m really, really eager to get training. Wineglass is in 18 or so weeks, and when we’re talking marathon training that’s (arguably) about the time to get started. This makes my brain spin out of control with the questions: when should workouts start? long runs? how high should the mileage be? Ahhh. I love thinking about all that stuff, but at the same time I know I can get myself into trouble if I don’t take this whole coming back from injury thing seriously.
Last week I probably ran a little too much. Every mile was awesome, fun and pain-free – so easy to get carried away and try to pick up right where I left off mid-marathon training in April (~60 mile weeks? Yeah, no. ). Six weeks of no running was definitely long enough for me to realize I don’t want that kind of setback to happen again any time soon.
So here is where I come up with a brilliant plan to come back from injury and BQ in the fall. Only not so much. This is weird and very un-Kelly-like, but I don’t really have a plan right now other than “have fun and run a bunch but not too much.” Ok.
post ~8 mile sweat-fest #WeRunNYC style
Before I got injured, I was on the verge of burnout and not really taking time to enjoy running. Each run was starting to seem like more of a chore or job, something to suffer through so I could check it off the list. But let’s be serious here – there is no point in this lifetime where running will ever be my job, or really anything more than a hobby. Sure I have lots of running-related goals and probably always will – striving to achieve them is one of the things I like most about the sport. But sometimes I get too stuck in serious mode and the whole “this is supposed to be fun” thing flies out the window.
I think this mindset stems from my time as a gymnast, when I took my training 99.9% seriously all day every day. It took 10 years to realize having fun was ok too, and the decision not to pursue collegiate gymnastics in favor of having a life was one I’ll never regret (and there are many ridiculous stories to prove it).
still got it, though
I think there’s a perfect balance between fun and serious when it comes to competitive sports, and even in my old age of 31 I struggle to find it. Being the first time I don’t have to study/do homework/etc. in years, this summer should be a good test in my abilities to balance fun and serious in life and running.
I still have lots to figure out, but if this morning’s run – 7 miles with Betsy, bridle looping and chatting away – is an indicator of how this summer is going to go, I am definitely down.
Oh yeah – Happy National Running Day!
What about you - how do you balance fun and serious with running/life/other sports?