Runner's Choice

Playing with effort is fun, and we all could use a little more fun

At least once a week, and sometimes more if I’m lucky, a run will appear on my training calendar under the following parameters: Runner’s Choice of Effort. 

Other than the distance and the amount of climb, the structure of the run is entirely up to me. If I feel like taking on technical terrain, I can do that. If I’d rather zone out on peaceful rolling hills, that’s fine too. I can go somewhat fast if I want to, or I can keep the pace easy and chill. In fact, I’ll probably do some of all those things because playing with effort is fun. 

Choosing your effort doesn’t mean running the same pace every time. That’s the opposite of fun. When you stay in one gear too long, unwelcome variables can enter the equation like monotony, boredom, and ultimately, stagnation. The missing ingredient is variety. 

When Runner’s Choice appears on my schedule, I view it as a chance to explore boundaries and inject a measure of creativity into the tightly-controlled world of training regiments and daily routines. Some days, I’ll have a clear idea of the run when I start, but most of the time I’ll allow space for a thought to appear like: Hey, let’s mix in some strides today. 

Whether it’s little bursts of controlled speed or purposefully hammering a couple of hills, there are a number of ways to add some spice to your everyday run. Let’s shake things up and have some fun.