One of my favorite perks of working from home is the time it allows me to go for a morning run…outdoors. This is just what I did this morning on a quick four mile recovery run through my quaint neighborhood.
In the first five days of my Chicago training plan, I’ve logged only about 22 miles as the first weeks is pretty slow and steady. Today’s Rx? Four recovery miles…nice and easy. Or at least that’s what they say.
Shake 'N Bake
I’ve always had trouble doing recovery runs because if you ain’t first…you’re last. But seriously, I have a hard time calming my thoughts, my legs, and my brain enough to tell myself, “It’s ok. It is supposed to be slow.” But I’m going to try and embrace Aron‘s mantra: run with purpose. So this morning, I set out to run slow and steady.
The first miles weren’t so successful as I looked down at my Garmin and noticed I was clocking 1/2 marathon paces. Calm the frick down! So I told myself to just forget about it and I tried to think about what was on the docket for the day. Next thing you know, I was cruising at a nice and easy eight minute pace and felt fantastic. By the time I got home, it was like a great little awakening and I was ready to start my day. Recovery run complete.
However, I do think I had one more thing working for me. Ol’ Blue is still missing (sob), so this run was completely music free…GASP! I have always been that whiny baby who couldn’t run without music, but today’s run without Ke$ha throbbing in my ears was purelyrefreshing. I literally thought about the day, work, the weekend and found myself coming up with some quality ideas for work and life. Who knew you could get so much done just by getting rid of the music?! So I’d like to add one my goal to my running goals:
Run without music on recovery runs
Why not get rid of it altogether? Ha! I need steps people! Do you run without music or is music a must-have?
This weekend is jam packed with a 12 miler, a possible 5K race (emphasis on possible), one of my best friend’s wedding, and a trip back to Nevada.
Happy Friday and good luck to all those racing this weekend!
I have just embraced the recovery run for the first time this training cycle, too! It’s hard to slow it down! But, I think it is starting to help 🙂
I don’t listen to music when I run except at the gym or during a marathon (and usually only the last ten miles). I also used to be like you and couldn’t take a step without some music blaring. But now, I totally enjoy the sound of my foot falls and my breath!
Have a great weekend!
Some day I’ll get to your level Katie…running with no music….someday! But for now, I need to drown out my pain with obnoxiously loud music 😉
SLOW recovery runs are SOOO important, especially in a high mileage training cycle… they really help and i can always feel the difference. another trick is to run with other people if you can or i run with my dogs on these too 🙂
You’re totally right, Aron. Soooo…wanna run soon?