You all know that I’ve been struggling with my running motivation this past month. I can chalk it up to several things: the change in seasons, the days getting shorter, being tired, worn thin between the foster dog & my animals, work….etc, etc, etc. I could go on and on but there really is no point. No one wants to hear excuses, and I sure don’t feel like trying to justify it to myself.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I have made my running a numbers game without even realizing it. I don’t care much for numbers when it comes to the scale. I don’t care much for numbers when it comes to calories my food. When it comes to health and fitness, I don’t believe in being a slave to the scale or counting calories (unless it’s truly justified because I know there are times in a health journey where it is important). But not once did I think I would enslave myself to the numbers game with my running.
I’ve realized that every time I go for a run, I strive to keep that 10 min/mile or less pace {essentially my race pace}. I strive to run that full 3 miles {or 5 miles on Saturdays}. I push myself ALL THE TIME to achieve what I did that last time. Why do I do this? Because in the words of a Twitter friend, Keith, “the only person you’re competing with is yourself.” Truth. Enough said.
I have to retrain my brain. I need to remind myself that every single time I run I don’t have to be as fast as I was that last time. I don’t have to be as fast as other runners. It doesn’t have to be this crazy numbers game; 5 miles, 3 miles, 50 minutes, 30 minutes, etc, etc, etc… There WILL be days where I won’t be the best. There WILL be days where I will struggle. There WILL be days that are slower than others.
And it’s okay.
Just as much as it’s okay to push yourself, it’s okay to take it easy. It’s okay to be slow one day. It’s okay to stop and walk because running is hard that day. It’s okay that I don’t run 3 or 5 miles.
Just because I can’t do that same performance all the time does not mean that I can’t do it at all. What’s important is that I CAN run.
So this past Saturday I got my butt out the door for a run. I wanted to focus on being leisurely about it. I wanted to take it nice and slow and just enjoy it. And I did enjoy it. The temperature was just right {though I could have done without the wind} and I put my earphones in and got lost in my music and thoughts. I can’t even remember what I was thinking about. But it was my sanity time and I needed it.
#PROOF
When I finished and looked at my RunKeeper, I immediately had that same twinge of disappointment when I saw the time. But then I stopped and reminded myself that it was okay. And you know what?
It was.
Do you focus too much on numbers?
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So true! I am constantly battling myself to make better time, burn more calories, etc. Sometimes you just have to back away from that way of thinking! Another great post. Shared on my page!
Ah! I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one battling theirselves to do more every time!
It is a struggle to retrain our brains because I think we are naturally our own worst critic so we constantly compete with ourselves. Thank you so much for sharing!
Every time I run, I try to do so better than I ever have previously. That does not necessarily mean faster or longer however.
yay for 5 miles! I am always flipping out because it seems lately I am slacking more and more with the running. I have grown to love it, just not indoors. I have found that by taking a few days off every now and then it recharges my lust for running. Today I ran for the first time in like 4-5 days and it just felt good. I was able to hold myself for a longer distance without beating myself up about it.
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Thanks for all your input Kyle! I've started keeping a running journal to better gauge my running progress.