On Running

I like running. Yes. On a side note, I still am. I know I haven't seen my "running friends" at the track since January, and I don't think I've run in Umstead since the day before the Super Bowl, but I've kept chugging along. I've mostly been running alone (except for Mondays, which I really look forward to) because I don't feel that I've put in 2 weeks of "good" training since probably August. Basically, I need to get back into shape so that I can train.

Running alone has left me a lot of time to talk to myself about running. And, since I don't have to say the words aloud, I can talk really fast. So, 10s into the run, I've covered the fact that I really do like running. All I have to do is think about doing something else, and no. Actually, to fill up some time, I've started playing a fun game of would I rather...

1. Not run or have to run in the cold and rain for the rest of my life
2. Not run or have to run in a pink frilly running skort for the rest of my life
3. Not run or run uphill for the rest of my life
4. Not run or run on a treadmill for the rest of my life

... cold and rain, pink frilly skort (begrudgingly), uphill (actually currently hurts less), and I'm sure I'd learn to find running on a treadmill fun

I've also been thinking about how I really like racing, and how I really miss it. I've been playing around with the idea of "racing for fun". Racing has always been fun for me after I get past the whole not breathing thing. But, I'm way out of racing shape. So, either I need to get back into shape, or I need to race and not care about my time. Seems logical.

There's just one tiny problem. I've been trying very hard to get back into shape. But, about every 2 weeks or so, some injury flares up, or I get sick, or both. So, I can not care about my time and just have fun. But, there's another tiny problem, I do care. I've been trying to make myself not, but I can't do the mental gymnastics. I'm not that flexible, both metaphorically speaking and as in I think I can about touch my knees now.

So, alas, marathon to couch is the current training plan. Not really. I have no intention of doing nothing because the sequel to that would be couch to mental institution. But, I think I might need to cut back on running and start actually cross training so that I can train for running again.