Despite my good intentions of running celibacy, I gave in yesterday and ran. I know. I’m a hypocrite. Please forgive me. And allow me to explain.
I had to go to Long Beach to pick up my kids after a camping trip on Catalina Island. They were due to arrive on the 1:00 ferry, so I decided it would be fun to go early and walk on the beach, and then do a little reading in the sun. But as I began my slow amble (I promise), the fog was so calming and pleasant. I’d spent the whole summer being blasted like an enchilada in an oven between the California heat wave and the normal Texas scorching, that the cool, billowy beach mist threw me. Simply, it muddled my brain and made me forget that I HATE RUNNING.
Without much thought, my slow perambulation turned into a jog. Then the jog turned into a run. And then the run…just stayed that way. I may have had a muddled brain, but I wasn’t so disabled as to try any speed work.
Before I knew it, I had run for about an hour. Say what? I was all sweaty and icky – and gloriously happy. The slight bit of brain fog I’d been experiencing for the past month had lifted right along with the beach fog, and I couldn’t remember exactly why I’d stop running in the first place.
Oh, that’s right, because I HATE RUNNING.
Okay, obviously that’s not true. But I do get tired of the unrelenting feeling that time is running out and that I MUST keep training or I will lose the little bit of talent I have. My inadvertent beach run reminded me that I started running for fun and because it feels so dang wonderful, moving and grooving outside, sweating like Nacho Libre.
But because I didn’t want to go overboard, and ruin the crazy-good feeling, I used good judgment and resumed my walk. And then bought a Cherry Slush Puppy and put my feet in the ocean. Ahhhhhh…
And then spent the next 6 hours trying to get all the sand out of my running shoes.
But it was all worth it.
Happy Running!
P.S. Thank y’all so much for the nice messages and comments you sent welcoming me back. Even though I didn’t miss running during my break, I sure missed all of you!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 9 comments }
So, I am doing this experiment of streaking running for the year. You can trust me on one thing – I think those peeps are OCD in the highest definition of a word. I started running because I love it, and I love training because I like results. Aimless running for a mile just to make a streak when I am injured/tired/busy with life/forgot what my husband looks like is nuts. Especially when you live in TX, and you have to take a shower even after a mile, and it turns into 30 min ordeal regardless as a minimum. And when you don’t have lush green and nice inspiring mountains around besides flat streets and neighbors’ houses. Rant over. Just wait, I have a whole post brewing by the end of this year!
olga recently posted…A better week.
Last night I was pretty sure that I truly hated running – I don’t know that I’m cut out to be an ultra runner – I had 44 miles planned and ended up running the first 28 and walking the rest (I wanted to quit but my oldest son told me no way!!!).
Kim recently posted…44…..
Why do we take the joy out of something that we love doing? I do it myself – make these big, grandiose plans which seem like a fun idea and turn our to be sheer hard work. Take marathon training – great idea six months ago when I wasn’t actually doing it. Now it’s running, running and more running and guilt if I take a session off.
Char recently posted…The End of an Era … Maybe
Geez what was it about this year? I’ve been in that same hate running place for awhile. I think the key truly is not forcing it. Glad you ran on your terms and it was good!
I am so happy to hear that you had a fun run. We all need those. So glad you are back!
Rebecca recently posted…That time I was rushed to the hospital
Glad you had a good run after your break. It really sucks when all your runs feel only like work… have had a lot of “feels hard” runs myself lately. How great it is when you finally have a smooth, easy feeling cruise!
Kirstin C (@ultrarunnergirl) recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Prince William Forest
“Running celibacy” – ha ha, that’s a good one. You are hilarious. So cool you had an enjoyable “inadvertent run.” Just let it all come naturally…..
Hey, I’ve taken the summer off too. I think a hiatus is a good thing. But now I’m thinking of what race to do before the end of the year? Are you running Desert Solstice again?
Your running post has inspired me to restart my cardio regimen. I have been slacking for too long! I loved the part about how the fog from both the beach and your brain was lifted… I can definitely relate to this!
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