I saw this topic on someone's blog a few weeks ago, but for the life of me, I can't remember where! If it was you, give me a holler and I will give credit where credit is due!
Over my "career" as a runner, things sure have changed! I do less of certain things and more of other things. Let's dive right in!
Quantity
(I was the Queen of Junk Miles!)
Marathons and Ultras
(It's been awhile...)
Running with friends
(Though I wish this wasn't the case)
Trail running
(Again, I wish this one wasn't so!)
Obsessing over miles and calories
(I don't miss this one!)
Quality runs
Walking
Stretching
Warming up
Cooling down
Doctors
Strength training
Fueling
Basically, I wish I would have done everything in my "MORE" category, in my 20s- except the doctor thing. I'd be totally fine if I never saw a physical therapist, podiatrist, or chiropractor again!
Sorry about the crazy font sizes. I don't know what is going on and I am done trying to figure it out!
Love this post! For me it's been less exercise in general (went from 2 hours per day with no days off to 45 minutes per day with 1-2 rest days). In my 20's I was all about the run and nothing else. Now it's less running, more swimming, cycling, weights + yoga. Less stretching but more mobility work. And definitely more PT, massage, acupuncture to keep this aging body healthy. I hope this means more years of being active in my future!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely sounds like you are doing everything you need to do to have longevity in your fitness! That's my mission too! I mean, I have big goals that would require me to really push myself, but I don't want to be doing that all year long. And really, being active forever is more important to me than anything else.
DeleteMine has been more running, running friends, stretching and rolling. Less "faster pace" miles. Wish I could report more cross training, but I can't seem to fit it all in!
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to fit it all in, I definitely agree with that!
DeleteAfter my marathon I am really looking forward to putting my GPS and pace monitoring in the "less" category. Can you believe there was once a time in history when humans like ourselves got up in the morning and went for a run and DIDN'T know their distance or pace - they just ran for the sheer love of it?!?!?! Crazy, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy! I actually didn't get a Garmin until like 3 years ago. I would run with a watch that recorded the time and that is all. And I didn't really care about the time! The first marathon that I ran a BQ in, I did without a Garmin. I printed out a pace chart and followed that, but really only knew if I was on track when I passed clocks on the course. Now I am SOOOO high maintenance when I have a goal time in mind and look at my Garmin like... once every 2 minutes! THIS IS NOT A WAY TO LIIIIIIVE!
DeleteI have a theory about junk miles and new runners. We're so excited to run when it's new that every mile feels like a victory. We're learning how build mileage and each week with increased mileage feels like...AMAZING. That feeling is so rewarding and addictive!
ReplyDeleteI think once we become more experienced, we realize quality miles are actually enough to make us feel victorious and keep us on track. I know that's why I run fewer junk miles.
I like your theory! And obviously, everyone's definition of "junk miles" is different. I just know the miles I used to run just because if I didn't run I would get fat, or if I didn't reach a certain mileage I wasn't a real runner (didn't you just blog about that!!??) :) and all that... definitely "junk miles" for me.
DeleteLess negative thinking, more positive thinking :)
ReplyDeleteLove it!!
DeleteMore fun, more trails, more destination running. Less pursuit of PRs, less caring, less injury. : )
ReplyDeleteI need more destination races!!! Although that would require more money. More money & more destination races are on my wish list. :)
DeleteSounds like you have it all figured out, Marcia! :)
I've been doing a lot more slow mileage. I used to go out and think that I needed to hit certain paces, now, I honestly don't care. I look forward to running slow and looking around. Plus, I think I've gotten faster because of it! I certainly stopped getting hurt once I slowed down.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point! Even when training to get faster, you shouldn't run every run fast. There needs to be slow in there. Thank you for reminding us all!
DeleteIve been seeing less doctors (knock on wood!) but also been doing more walking. I didnt do enough prevention/strength training when I started running, but now I do that stuff all the time!
ReplyDeleteI didn't do enough of that stuff either. We are on the right track now!
DeleteI really miss them, it is just more of an effort and takes longer to get to them for me.
ReplyDelete