Distance Run

This is my favorite time of the year for running. (I think I say that about every time of the year, wink wink.)

After taking a very lazy attitude toward running after last fall’s hellish running schedule, followed by an extremely challenging last semester of my Master’s degree program, I’m finally back to enjoying running again. (And writing extremely long sentences… heh)

I was down to 15 to 25 miles per week. A far way off from the training period when I was running 25 miles or more on consecutive days, but it kept me close to the sport.

One thing I found notable in helping me get out of the rut was leaving the watch at home. At first it was a pain, but soon I found that the runs were much more enjoyable. I wasn’t checking my watch (or my naked wrist), and it allowed me to see the surroundings, the dew, sunlight streaming down through the trees in the morning mist, the cool crisp air in my nostrils.

Yep, I’ll be leaving the watch at home from now on.

Another thing I did was to get off the road! There’s a park with dozens of single-track paths frequented by mountain bikers and off-road runners, and I’ve gone there a couple of times. The workouts are intense, but there are few things as enjoyable as running in the woods… Just me, the trees, the streams, and cows :)

This week I’ll be cutting back a little on running as I want to start biking to and from work. After I get accustomed to the riding workout (about 9 miles each way), I’ll start ramping up running again.

I’d like to settle in to about 25 to 30 miles per week running until it’s time to start training for fall marathon.

See you on the trails!