Monday 23rd February
Run #54
3.5k Local Loops with Music
Part of me always sees
the Monday run after the Sunday LSR as an opportunity to have a bit of a skive.
By which I mean, I know I have to run, but the devil on my shoulder is happy to
suggest I don't really need to try.
Which is a bad attitude, the problematic knock on effect of which is that
motivation is hardly likely to be sky rocketing if you've mentally already
convinced yourself it doesn't matter.
I knew I was going to
keep the run short: I have been trying to, after the long run, mostly to not
overload and because my legs are that bit more tired. But I decided today I
wanted to try a bit more, Not in terms of run effort, but mental attitude. It might
be a short run, and it won't be up on any PB lists but that doesn't mean it's
not important. You could argue that getting out for a run on a Monday (nobody's
favourite day of the week and when the gym always seems heaving, but the
streets are oddly quiet) is in a category of importance all of its own.
So I picked my kit
especially for including a) several favourite items and b) a whole lot of
unnecessary but personally satisfying colour coordination. To give an idea on
what this might look like from the feet up: New Balance 860 V3 (yes, they are a
dude's shoe. See run#17) neon yellow cotton trainer socks, Nike full length
black running tights, M's royal blue New Balance jacket - neon yellow zips
matching the socks - over Black New Balance sports bra. And an Adidas peak in
canary yellow with a blue edge.
I also decided, on the
spur of the attitude reassessment, to take my iPod. When I graduated off Couch
to 5k I ran with music every run. I was completely dependent in the way I now
am on my Garmin: the battery dies on leaving the house and it's quite possible
I might not run at all. Then, the perfect playlist could propel me round a
route by taking my mind off how much it hurt and how hard it felt (which was
all still pretty new). But, like most people, as my running improved I wanted
to be able to hear my breathing. Listen to my body a bit more without a
baseline interruption. Listen to the sounds of the Park or the river. So the
iPod got used less and less until not at all.
But today I fished it
out. Selecting the most up-beat sing-along tunes I could find, on max volume, I
popped the buds in my ears and headed out. The route was a mash-up of other
round the block routes of late so nothing inspiring. Not so the music mash-up
which had me singing out loud to the empty streets and earning a half grin /
half grimace from a lone dog walker.
The pace wasn't quick
but the breath control required for singing while running, even at a reduced
pace was a new challenge and more tiring than you'd think! But the time flew
by, even if I didn't and for the mental boost and enjoyment it'd provided I was
really pleased I'd taken the iPod out on my run. That and it's neon yellow cord
matches my zips. Natch.
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