As a part-time MN resident, there is something soothing and calming about chipping away ice and snow from one's driveway, even when you know it will mostly be there the next morning.
Your Presidio story rocks! If you were to follow your muse across the bridge to Marin, that would've been a very interesting adventure for sure... I do think, though, you made the smart decision as there are zero water stations along the way. :)
While I haven't, yet, had the pleasure of meeting my running muse in person, I think I have met one in you through this newsletter, Paul. Internet, sometimes, can be a magical place.
For any runner who is programmed to abide by a schedule, taking time off is definitely tougher than a hard workout. In the final weeks of 2020, I pushed myself hard to reach and then keep topping my mileage goal for the year - once I hit it, I had to see how much I could beat it by (I know my fellow runners know the feeling).
During that stretch, I tossed around the idea of taking a break between Christmas and New Year's. Not only would this offer a reprieve from the frigid Michigan weather, but it would also give me a chance to recharge before attacking the first month of the new year. Long story short - the break didn't happen. I think it's partly because I've been in such a good rhythm with my running that I wanted to keep going, but more so because running continues to keep me where I need to be mentally during this time. My body was casually asking for a few days off but my mind said, 'sorry, not happening.' Looking back, taking a few extra days off might have done my body some good. But my mind relishes the fact that I said 'screw it, let's keep going.'
I did give myself a bit of a break as this week as I took more of my runs inside (on the dreadmill) with morning temps in the single digits/low teens. But those few times I did get outside, it provided an incredible mental boost. Being out there in the dark, pounding the pavement and feeling ice form on your eyebrows and eyelashes brings a feeling of accomplishment that is hard to replicate.
I think the bottom line is you need to acutely listen to your body and mind and then do what's best for both. It sounds like that's what you did in your time off. Glad it worked out so well.
Thanks Justin. I feel that sense of wanting to ride a good groove for as long as it lasts. I think the key thing for me getting my mind right was doing one last run knowing it was going to be hard and not all that fun just to get it out of my system.
Paul, I cannot tell you how much we have in common and how much I relate to EVERY.SINGLE.BIT.OF.THIS. My reluctance to take time off when I know I'm healthy and able, and only doing so when a real sign comes my way. The antsy-ness after a couple of days. The mindful prep of my return.
And to well run travels. When I'm away from home, my first thought is always "where will my feet take me and what will I find?" in addition to "where is safe?" Your SF story is wonderfully telling of your joy for running in general and I can relate.
Yes, the People's Republik. I moved to Boston sight-unseen for graduate school in 2002. I'm a native Southern Californian with a natural tendency toward the New England sensibility, so it made sense for me to take an adventure. This led me to an Allston apartment my soon to be roommate (and longtime friend) had found for us. I cannot tell you the number of times we walked to Harvard Sq to take the T to Central for pints at The Field (another heartbreaking close), bands and dinner at the Middle East (if it wasn't for Covid, my husband and I would still be there frequently) and quite often darts at People's Republik. It was a wonderfully no-bullshit place that myself, my roommate and his girlfriend loved.
I've said it so many times and I'll say it again. Thank you for every single post here. It is something I look forward to.
OK, I might be a little strange, but i really enjoy running when it is hot (70s/low 80s) and humid. I don't run for very very long, but there is something about that weather where my muscles feel loose (I often think of how Pedro used to have those summer afternoon weekend games where his arm was like a loose elastic - just easy and fluid). To that, I have had the pleasure of traveling to Israel a bunch and running the streets of Jerusalem and Haifa has always been enjoyable, though my favorite was a race along the Haifa beach/coast. Hopefully, when we get back there (tentatively summer 2022) as a family, I will find some nice, non-city runs.
As for local places, I have lived in Boston basically since college and in Brookline Village since 2007. We lost a great local place (bar/pub trying to be as close to Irish as possible - specific beer/food menu and no TV) this year, Matt Murphys (unclear if the pandemic sped up the process, but the owner decided it was time), but our other restaurants are holding on and we have been trying to help them to maintain the feel of the neighborhood.
Oh man, I've been to Matt Murphy's. Tough. I also love humid weather. It's probably my favorite in terms of uncomfortable weather conditions I happen to enjoy.
As a runner something feels so wrong about taking a prolonged period off. Of course it’s all mental but knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. The recovery will serve you well.
Also that SF run from Hoon is amazing, I’ve done it with a friend who lives out there.
As a part-time MN resident, there is something soothing and calming about chipping away ice and snow from one's driveway, even when you know it will mostly be there the next morning.
Right? The ice chipper is my favorite winter thing. So satisfying.
Your Presidio story rocks! If you were to follow your muse across the bridge to Marin, that would've been a very interesting adventure for sure... I do think, though, you made the smart decision as there are zero water stations along the way. :)
While I haven't, yet, had the pleasure of meeting my running muse in person, I think I have met one in you through this newsletter, Paul. Internet, sometimes, can be a magical place.
You;ll have to show me around when I come back out there in like, 2023
This is on my running to-do list! One of these days I'll get back to SF and I'll take your advice on where to go.
come one, come all!
For any runner who is programmed to abide by a schedule, taking time off is definitely tougher than a hard workout. In the final weeks of 2020, I pushed myself hard to reach and then keep topping my mileage goal for the year - once I hit it, I had to see how much I could beat it by (I know my fellow runners know the feeling).
During that stretch, I tossed around the idea of taking a break between Christmas and New Year's. Not only would this offer a reprieve from the frigid Michigan weather, but it would also give me a chance to recharge before attacking the first month of the new year. Long story short - the break didn't happen. I think it's partly because I've been in such a good rhythm with my running that I wanted to keep going, but more so because running continues to keep me where I need to be mentally during this time. My body was casually asking for a few days off but my mind said, 'sorry, not happening.' Looking back, taking a few extra days off might have done my body some good. But my mind relishes the fact that I said 'screw it, let's keep going.'
I did give myself a bit of a break as this week as I took more of my runs inside (on the dreadmill) with morning temps in the single digits/low teens. But those few times I did get outside, it provided an incredible mental boost. Being out there in the dark, pounding the pavement and feeling ice form on your eyebrows and eyelashes brings a feeling of accomplishment that is hard to replicate.
I think the bottom line is you need to acutely listen to your body and mind and then do what's best for both. It sounds like that's what you did in your time off. Glad it worked out so well.
Thanks Justin. I feel that sense of wanting to ride a good groove for as long as it lasts. I think the key thing for me getting my mind right was doing one last run knowing it was going to be hard and not all that fun just to get it out of my system.
Paul, I cannot tell you how much we have in common and how much I relate to EVERY.SINGLE.BIT.OF.THIS. My reluctance to take time off when I know I'm healthy and able, and only doing so when a real sign comes my way. The antsy-ness after a couple of days. The mindful prep of my return.
And to well run travels. When I'm away from home, my first thought is always "where will my feet take me and what will I find?" in addition to "where is safe?" Your SF story is wonderfully telling of your joy for running in general and I can relate.
Yes, the People's Republik. I moved to Boston sight-unseen for graduate school in 2002. I'm a native Southern Californian with a natural tendency toward the New England sensibility, so it made sense for me to take an adventure. This led me to an Allston apartment my soon to be roommate (and longtime friend) had found for us. I cannot tell you the number of times we walked to Harvard Sq to take the T to Central for pints at The Field (another heartbreaking close), bands and dinner at the Middle East (if it wasn't for Covid, my husband and I would still be there frequently) and quite often darts at People's Republik. It was a wonderfully no-bullshit place that myself, my roommate and his girlfriend loved.
I've said it so many times and I'll say it again. Thank you for every single post here. It is something I look forward to.
It was such a good place. Thank you for all the support. It's very meaningful.
OK, I might be a little strange, but i really enjoy running when it is hot (70s/low 80s) and humid. I don't run for very very long, but there is something about that weather where my muscles feel loose (I often think of how Pedro used to have those summer afternoon weekend games where his arm was like a loose elastic - just easy and fluid). To that, I have had the pleasure of traveling to Israel a bunch and running the streets of Jerusalem and Haifa has always been enjoyable, though my favorite was a race along the Haifa beach/coast. Hopefully, when we get back there (tentatively summer 2022) as a family, I will find some nice, non-city runs.
As for local places, I have lived in Boston basically since college and in Brookline Village since 2007. We lost a great local place (bar/pub trying to be as close to Irish as possible - specific beer/food menu and no TV) this year, Matt Murphys (unclear if the pandemic sped up the process, but the owner decided it was time), but our other restaurants are holding on and we have been trying to help them to maintain the feel of the neighborhood.
Oh man, I've been to Matt Murphy's. Tough. I also love humid weather. It's probably my favorite in terms of uncomfortable weather conditions I happen to enjoy.
As a runner something feels so wrong about taking a prolonged period off. Of course it’s all mental but knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. The recovery will serve you well.
Also that SF run from Hoon is amazing, I’ve done it with a friend who lives out there.
I shifted my mentality into thinking that that my recovery was an active thing, rather than passive. That helped a great deal.