I have posted a couple of times on different types of technology that I use while running (which – for me – always seem to involve my phone.) I have a heart rate monitor, I get notifications of my current speed, distance and time. I use this information to push myself – to help me run faster, further and better. Well, I was posting to a friend’s Facebook recently about how I matched his distance (but not speed – he can run faster/further than I can), and he posted an interesting response:
“As much as you WANT to run, you should build yourself to it. Whenever I take a week to recover from some injury, I usually back my mileage off to recover and not hurt something else. I gave up trying to complete so many miles in a week…, and try to increase my mileage so I can say I can do it. I just let my body tell me what I can do and that is that! Running has become so much more fun that way! Plus with the warmer weather and longer days, I look forward to long runs on the weekend! You’ll do it, just don’t get carried away!” (quote from Christopher Coleman on Facebook, 4/15/2011)
The part of that quote that really struck me was: ” I just let my body tell me what I can do and that is that! Running has become so much more fun that way!” – So last night I went running in a cold miserable drizzle, and turned off all of the notifications on my phone. I decided on a route to run – with several variations based on how I was feeling. I let my speed be determined by what “felt” good, and didn’t leave me gasping, cramping or uncomfortable. Breathing wise – I couldnt’ have held a conversation, but could have responded to some questions without too much discomfort. I ended up doing five and a half miles in my Vibrams – the longest I have run in them yet by two miles. I really enjoyed myself and would love to have gone for a couple more miles, but knew my muscles wouldn’t have liked it.
I think its important to remember running can be fun, and it’s not all about the time and/or distance. Those two items can be great measuring tools – but should never be our REASON we run. If we start running from scratch – focused on our speed/distance – how likely are we to keep going? Run for the Fun of it, and the distance should come right?
So now, I just have to run faster and further – so I can enjoy the running for longer 🙂
So – how do you keep your running fun?
I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.
Once and Future Runner 
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