I have many voices that live in my head. Two of the most vocal lately are the rationalizer and the risk taker. The rationalizer has been shouting ever since the risk taker made us move neighborhoods. The rationalizer says it's ok that I haven't run that much because I'm moving and I have to pack, and unpack, and clean. The risk taker is quietly calling "bullshit". I know the risk taker is right, the real reason I haven't been running as much is because I'm scared. I'm scared for the very silly, but real, reason that I don't have routes figured out near my new place. What if I run down a street without a side walk?! How do I pick the perfect route?! What if I'm only one block away from an amazing run?!
I was spoiled at my old place. I could do a 5, 6, 7.5, 10.5 mile run through quiet neighborhoods and around nice lakes and parks. I knew exactly where I needed to be when the listener limrick challenge came on. Now I have to take 5 years of habit and throw it out the window for something new.
Yes I realize I'm being ridiculous. Especially since I now live within a stones throw from Wash Park. Any given day there are hoards of runners zipping a long the path, a DIRT path! I don't even have to confine myself to mostly pavement. I can run on dirt. But there is something comforting in looking at my training schedule, seeing the number 6, and knowing I can get home from work, throw on stuff, and be out the door. There is no planning, just tie my shows and zip out. Routine is nice, when you have little time to get miles in during the week not having to over think your run eliminates one of the hurdles to getting a run in on days you don't feel like it.
Routine is also the enemy. By worrying about where to run I'm neglecting a real benefit discovering new running routes. It's so easy to get complacent and plateau your training when you are running the same thing every week. I've been running the same thing every week day for 5 years. My body can run on autopilot for 10ish miles in my neighborhood without skipping a beat. Having to expand my routes and look at new paths mean I'm not only challenging my body but also my brain. I often lament, after races, that I wish I had trained more for this or that. I now have a perfect, although forced by necessity, opportunity to do just that. Mix things up and see if I can see the results in my next races.
On that note a little update on my races.
I did the Platte River Half a few weekends ago. It was a lot of fun! Jill and I ran most of it together which was fun to have someone to chat with during the race. I finished in 1:59 which was my goal (to be under 2 hours).
My next race is Quad Rock coming up May 9th! Just a few weeks away. I'll have a pre-race post up before that, but for now I have to get my butt in gear and get some miles in.
