Rupdate: Starting Fresh
The last time I posted a running update or what I call a “rupdate,” was here. It’s not the most glamorous topic for a blog like this, which I typically reserve for creative pursuits and travel. But I was at the gym last week - on the treadmill, to be exact…and I found myself searching for those old 2014 “rupdate” blog posts about running.
That 25 minute treadmill workout flew by, because I was so enthralled with my own posts. I became so inspired by the simple musings of these posts. Drawing strength and discipline from my own self is quite odd. I feel like so much has changed, but it really hasn’t - that’s the odd thing about getting older. I still live in this skin but the trillions of thoughts, decisions, and experiences over the last 6 years have shaped me a bit differently. Looking back I know that this time was a time of peak performance and health…I had never felt better. And I want to get back into it. So I decided to just do it. Starting last week.
Now, mind you, I have been a member at my new gym for just over a year. I love the gains I have made there, but when it comes to seeing visible changes….I wasn’t seeing them. I fully admit to having some half-ass days at the gym, and there were some days (some quite recently) that I just felt like I was going backwards.
My peak year of running started in the summer. I just STARTED, literally. 5 days a week, every day, no days off. I remember it as an usually cooler, less-humid summer, which made morning runs easy. The humid days were hard. So, I thought, starting in the winter might be easier in that regard (although cold mornings make me cringe like and want to wither away). Anyway…let’s get into my actual rupdate. Last week.
Wednesday 2/12: 1.7 mi run, outdoors. My neighborhood, with Rosie, which is very hilly.
Saturday 2/15: 2.7 mile run, outdoors. Ran the ring. I am shocked at how well I did, given it was 30 degrees and it was my first outdoor run…since…???? It was invigorating because I put my old playlist on and ran my old route.
Monday 2/17: 2.7 mi run, outdoors. Same as Saturday. Then, I went on a 1.75 mi walk with S and Rosebud so it was more like a daily total of around 4 mi!
Wednesday 2/19: 1.5 mi run, outdoors. My neighborhood, with a skitzy Rosie. She definitely slows me down.
Saturday 2/22: 1.5 mi (?) run, outdoors. High school loop, with Rosie. Lots of breaks due to the new surroundings (Rosie needed to sniff everything).
So, my goal is 3x a week. I met last week’s goal, and have to run tomorrow to meet this week’s goal. I can do it! I will do it!
And now that I have 5 solid runs under my belt, my biggest takeaway is the sheer SHOCK in how easy it was to jump right in. It was a long time ago that I could do 5x/week, but that summer I built a foundation of endurance that I am still lucky enough to work from. It feels nostalgic to run my old loops and listen to my go-to running songs. But it is also nice to give myself the grace of only 3 days a week, take my time if needed, and exercise Rosie while I am at it.
Between these runs and my workouts at the gym, I am hoping to make some changes :)
ciao, xo