Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wednesday Words to Run By - Options, Options, Options

I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
-Jesse Owens

Now that I am getting back into running there are so many variables - distance, route, treadmill or outdoors, whether or not to listen to music... I can stick with a comfortable path or switch it up to have new scenery. When I run outside I have been mapping out different routes with my car tripometer. Regardless if I am ready to switch up my path or not, each run is a different experience influenced by aspects such as my mindset, the weather, and the peripheral activity for the day.

With high school cross country, I always loved the ability to understand myself as a runner and to work toward personal goals. Whether it was figuring out early on in my freshman year that I always wanted to run the whole race (after one race where I walked a bit on a hill) or mentally preparing myself for a specific aspect of a course, there was always something to focus on in order to improve and push myself.

Lately I have been focusing on just getting out there again and reconnecting with myself as a runner. It has been fun realizing what works best for me and how I can keep myself motivated and moving in the right direction. Little by little I am figuring out training plans, setting up goals, and deciding on which gear I like the most. For the record, yesterday I realized that a running skirt is not as cute on as I had pictured it might be. I will try one on again later, but for now, I will definitely stick to my capris! It was all I could do to not bust up in our famous family raucous laughter right in the dressing room. Yet, that's part of the fun - having so many options to choose from.

*Just as I was joking about my skirt experience yesterday, I saw this post over at Run Like a Mother. It instantly creates visions of how cute a running skirt should be in theory!

2 comments:

  1. I have two running skirts! You just need to find the right one for you! I like the one at Skirt Sports...I think I got it on See Jane Run...it's a good length, cute and pink :)

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  2. Yes, I think it all had to do with the length. The one I tried on (and the first I have ever seen in person) was fairly short and the leggings underneath were as well. I think I would like a skirt if the underneath part went down to about knee length and if the actual skirt was a little bit longer as well. I will have to do a little Internet search since I am sure that there are a lot of different types. I will check See Jane Run.

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