Some runs are just runs

Today’s run was a good reminder.

As I’ve gotten further and further back into the world of running, I have focused on how far I can run.

I have been tremendously curious about the limitations to my knee.

About a year an a half ago, I had part of my meniscus removed in my right knee. The surgery went well and the recover went well enough.

But, my knee still feels a bit different than it used to.

And so my interest has been in, upon my return (safely, I might add), slowly and gently pushing the boundaries of the limitations of it’s total mileage, so to speak.

And I have been pleasantly surprised by the distance I can achieve in a single run. My limitation has been my cardiovascular endurance and ability to maintain fuel and hydration. Not the knee.

That has been powerfully encouraging!!

But, also, it has left me with a few months of quite long, quite intense runs. These have left me a bit depleted physically. Naturally so.

And so, upon recognition, I have been trying to run more frequently but less intensely when I do so.

And today was a big win and a good reminder: Some runs can just be easy. Some runs should just be easy. Some should feel like you didn’t even run.

My actual day was quite long. My team had a training session to host in Flint. I met for a carpool at 7:00 am. It was an 8 hour training. We used every minute.

I had an intentionally intense run yesterday. I wanted to see what kind of pace felt natural in a shorter, faster run, so I full sent a 5k. It was exhilarating.

Today, I was definitely tired mentally.

But, when I got home, I just had an urge to go outside and breathe fresh air after sitting in a conference room for 8 hours and burn off some physical and spastic energy that I had built up.

Honestly, after that long, I just wanted to move, confidently through space.

And so I did. I just tossed on my shoes and took off. I probably wasn’t on my feet any more than 20 minutes.

And at no point did it feel intense. 0 push, whatsoever.

I just wanted to get on my feet. I got on my feet.

And I ran to run. Honestly, I ran for the sake of my overstimulated, anxious brain and physically pent up body. I don’t know the distance. I don’t really know the time, nor the pace given the data required to calculate such a statistic.

But it was great. I had a good time. And it’s just what I needed.

And it was a great reminder that not every run has to be the best one yet, the most intense, the fastest pace, the longest distance, what have you.

In fact, most of them shouldn’t be that at all.

It is my belief that that is absolutely a worthwhile and glorious pursuit: The furthest I have ever run or the fastest I have ever run.

But most of them should be just good ole’ run-of-the mill runs. Nothing necessarily special. Nothing bad, certainly. Probably fairly forgettable.

Most of them are just going to be because you wanted to run and so you did.

And that’s beautiful.

That’s what keeps you engaged with regular, progressive, consistent, sustainable exercise.

Apply these lessons broadly.

Running is my medium. Your’s might differ. Still holds true.

Anyway, until next I run.