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So, for the third time, I began week 5 today. If you recall, I did days one and two twice before I moved on to day 3 last time around. As they say, practice makes perfect and I'm pretty sure I have this one down now. It was really nice to have a good run. I didn't run into any wild animals and I didn't hate being out there. I finished the intervals with relative ease and felt good at the end. All in all, a very successful outing.
I am going to run the second interval the day after tomorrow just to give myself one more ramp up, but once again, I'll say it - I am getting over the intervals. I think I have reached the point where I just need to go out and run and adjust my pace as I go. I refuse to watch a stop clock while doing this program and as much as I like the Chubby Jones Podcast, I don't love all the music she chooses. I just look forward to going out there, listening to what I want and running.
As you might have ascertained by reading my various blog entries, some of my surrounding area leaves a bit to be desired. I live in an absolutely beautiful place though. People travel the world to come visit the majestic Redwoods we have here and I live two miles from the beautiful California coast. There are beautiful trails that follow the coastline and weave in and out of the wooded areas. Sounds perfect, right? Here's the thing: am I safe to go out into the forest by myself and run these trails? Is it wise for me to go running alone on the Hammond Trail when many parts of it are somewhat remote?
I love the solitude I have while running. It seems like the only time in my day when I don't need to be responsive to anyone else for any reason. You stay-at-home moms out there understand. I love what I do and feel very blessed to be able to stay home with my kids, but that doesn't mean it is perfect. Like every job out there, it has its frustrations and aggravations. So this being said, I am not particularly interested in finding a running partner. It would be fun to run with friends now and then or enter races with other runners I know, but as far as the every day routine goes, I prefer to go it alone. So what's a girl to do? I want to venture out and find better spots to run in, but I don't want to be putting myself in peril for it. What do the rest of you do? How do you shake it up and keep it fresh while staying safe?
I look forward to hearing from you all. In the meantime, I wish you all safe and happy trails and hope you feel as I do - that this mission is possible. We can be fit. We can be healthy. We can run and we can even like it! You can do it and I can do it too!
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Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI envy you the area you have to run! I agree though, that it may not be safe for you to go there alone, so maybe save that trail for sometime when you have someone with you. I live somewhat in the country, on a busy 2 lane highway. There's a side road nearby that cuts through the countryside, but like you, I'm not sure it's safe to go it alone. It's kind of one of those roads that you may hear them refer to on the news as..."the last place she was seen". I currently go to the gym and hit the treadmill due to the heat, but when it lets up, I plan to go to the local parks and do my running, or maybe one of the neighborhoods in town. I, like you, savor the alone time to clear my head, organize my thoughts, or simply talk to God. May He bless you on your journey.
Keep those laces tight...
Connie
I live in an amazing place too - Traverse City Michigan is awesome - but I too like to jog alone. You can clear your mind and just get lost in the music or the steps - it is nice.
ReplyDeleteMy issue is I run better at night (I just don't have the stamina in the morning) - and dusk is really the only time I can run. I got back at 10:15 tonight and it was dark. I was a little creeped out - even though it was my neighborhood - but I still did it. I would say jog the areas that aren't remote. Safety is an issue! We have an amazing trail where I live that runs along the river - but I refuse to go there without my husband (Traverse is beautiful but northern michigan has been hit hard by the economy and poverty seems to breed crime) For me - I honestly don't pay a lot of attention to my surroundings when I run - I just kind of get lost in thought, music, and the sound of my feet on the road! Good luck!