A few days ago I was in these comments bemoaning my aching back and fretting over missed training. Today I ran again for the first time (4.3mi) and can report that all systems more or less are "go." Part of the reason for all my fretting was based on the feeling that running - and getting a little better at running every week - was the only thing keeping me from a Bermuda Triangle equivalent of a rut. Professionally, emotionally, psychically. It's been a tough year for everyone and I have probably been luckier than many (something for which I try to be consciously grateful). But the rut is always there, hovering in the periphery, waiting for a moment of disengagement, distress, or boredom. Running has been the escape - "pun"ny as that sounds. Not being able to get out of the house for an hour of exercise for the last few days was disorienting. Getting out again this morning was centering. It made me grateful for the outlet and the days when I feel good enough to chew up miles and minutes in pursuit of a goal.
I am learning to live with the rut and as long as I can keep it at bay I feel like the light at the end of the tunnel remains in sight, whatever that is: vaccine, "normalcy," teaching without a mask, date night at a movie. I know I am preaching to the choir here; that's honestly the only reason I feel empowered to leave my own little rambles - you all get it.
I hope everyone out there is keeping sane and staying hopeful. It isn't easy.
I'm with you, as far as being certainly uncertain. I do know that this newsletter has motivated me to run. I've set some goals and and I'm always looking forward to getting out there and losing myself in a run. I'd like to know a race is in the future, but for now I'm fine just trying to improve a little on speed and adding to the mileage total each week.
You did forget to remind me that winter running can be a full time laundry chore.
A.FULL.TIME.JOB. Haha my husband grew up with runner parents and he hates the smell of the sweaty layers of winter running clothes. It’s just different. Even though we’re working from home (which I’m grateful to be able to do) we seem to have more laundry than ever!!
something i've done in the past couple months is just fully embracing "being in the rut." i often find myself fidgeting with my phone and coming to a complete stop during the run these days, not for the music nor for the tracking, but to take pictures of things that i notice mid-run (the pics never do justice, though!).
running more or less the same routes regularly these days, i try to notice things that feel different from previous runs -- maybe the ground is softer after the rain, a bird might have been chirping last time but not this time, etc.... also, watching the sunrise will never get old for me.
Thank you for always sharing with honesty, Paul. I think it's wonderful and it connects people in ways you probably don't realize.
For me it's simply the act of being able to go out and put miles in. Having that ripped away from me a few years ago and literally learning to walk and run again, centered me and caused me to focus on being grateful for my body's abilities. In times like these, I try not to compete with myself and simply focus on the fact that I CAN run. This allows me to let go of a lot of stress that would otherwise consume me.
A few days ago I was in these comments bemoaning my aching back and fretting over missed training. Today I ran again for the first time (4.3mi) and can report that all systems more or less are "go." Part of the reason for all my fretting was based on the feeling that running - and getting a little better at running every week - was the only thing keeping me from a Bermuda Triangle equivalent of a rut. Professionally, emotionally, psychically. It's been a tough year for everyone and I have probably been luckier than many (something for which I try to be consciously grateful). But the rut is always there, hovering in the periphery, waiting for a moment of disengagement, distress, or boredom. Running has been the escape - "pun"ny as that sounds. Not being able to get out of the house for an hour of exercise for the last few days was disorienting. Getting out again this morning was centering. It made me grateful for the outlet and the days when I feel good enough to chew up miles and minutes in pursuit of a goal.
I am learning to live with the rut and as long as I can keep it at bay I feel like the light at the end of the tunnel remains in sight, whatever that is: vaccine, "normalcy," teaching without a mask, date night at a movie. I know I am preaching to the choir here; that's honestly the only reason I feel empowered to leave my own little rambles - you all get it.
I hope everyone out there is keeping sane and staying hopeful. It isn't easy.
Thank you Joe. Stoked that you're getting out there.
I'm with you, as far as being certainly uncertain. I do know that this newsletter has motivated me to run. I've set some goals and and I'm always looking forward to getting out there and losing myself in a run. I'd like to know a race is in the future, but for now I'm fine just trying to improve a little on speed and adding to the mileage total each week.
You did forget to remind me that winter running can be a full time laundry chore.
haha, all laundry all the time
A.FULL.TIME.JOB. Haha my husband grew up with runner parents and he hates the smell of the sweaty layers of winter running clothes. It’s just different. Even though we’re working from home (which I’m grateful to be able to do) we seem to have more laundry than ever!!
something i've done in the past couple months is just fully embracing "being in the rut." i often find myself fidgeting with my phone and coming to a complete stop during the run these days, not for the music nor for the tracking, but to take pictures of things that i notice mid-run (the pics never do justice, though!).
running more or less the same routes regularly these days, i try to notice things that feel different from previous runs -- maybe the ground is softer after the rain, a bird might have been chirping last time but not this time, etc.... also, watching the sunrise will never get old for me.
The rut's not always a bad place to be and maintaining anything right now is huge. Good thoughts
Thank you for always sharing with honesty, Paul. I think it's wonderful and it connects people in ways you probably don't realize.
For me it's simply the act of being able to go out and put miles in. Having that ripped away from me a few years ago and literally learning to walk and run again, centered me and caused me to focus on being grateful for my body's abilities. In times like these, I try not to compete with myself and simply focus on the fact that I CAN run. This allows me to let go of a lot of stress that would otherwise consume me.
Thank you Tracey