As I recently mentioned (oh, only a gazillion times – I am sorry), I have gotten myself back into a running routine with the help of my Runtastic App and a training plan (that one can purchase, but was free for me since I am a premium member).
I knew that I a) needed an accountability buddy and b) a structured routine that would help me stick to my workout days. In the past, I’ve been running on and off but never seemed to be able to keep it up longer than for a couple of weeks. I definitely thrive on routines and schedules and knew that I’d have a much easier time sticking to my workouts when I know on which day they need to happen (and also what I am exactly expected to do. I tend to think “oh, let’s just stop after 2.5 miles, if I don’t feel like running any longer… not possible if you’re sticking to a plan!). I used to be the person that said that she could never imagine running more than 3 miles, but here I am today running more than 6 or 7 miles frequently and working towards longer distances.
The (really not so) surprising result of a workout routine is: you will see improvements. I know, mind-boggling science, right?
I need to say upfront, I have a love/hate relationship with running. There are days (few) where I feel running is the most amazing thing and I feel like I am on top of the world. Sometimes, I need to force myself to place one step in front of the other and push through the workout. Most of the time, I am kind of indifferent to the whole thing (which, I admit, is better than loathing every minute), but while I know I am doing something good for my body + mind, I can’t help but feel that I could be doing so many other things with that time. (Granted, that is something I feel frequently and has nothing do with working out per se.)
I do get what people call the “runner’s high” at the end of an accomplished run (ok, for me it just means, I feel accomplished, not really ‘high’), but I usually don’t remember that elated feeling lasting long enough to know why I am running when the next workout comes around. I rationally have to talk myself into every workout. The running part itself doesn’t really do anything for me. I wonder if that has to do with the fact that I grew up playing team sports and exercising felt always also like some kind of pastime. Running for the sake of just running? Meh. I’d rather chase a ball.
The good thing about running though is: you can do it anytime and anywhere. You don’t need (much) equipment or other people (although running with someone can be nice) and depending on where you run, it can have the nice side-effect of some sightseeing (I even started listening to podcasts, which I have never consistently done before – but multi-tasking to maximize the use of my time is my jam and running lends itself for that purpose beautifully!).
I’ve been running at the park (or on the treadmill when it’s too hot which has happened often this summer). Or should I say, I’ve been running around the park, because it’s not really big enough to run “in it”. The good thing about our small park is: one time around it is exactly 1.1 miles. I never thought I’d say this but it’s nice to know how much you’ve already accomplished and how much longer you have to run when it’s measurable in “rounds” you have finished/left to run (and it’s still much nicer than running track IMHO).
I currently run three times a week. I run once during the week (Wednesdays after work when I go straight to the park or gym) and twice on the weekends (Fridays and Sundays). I also try to fit in some yoga (sporadically right now) and some weight training (even more sporadically) and hope to arrive at some sort of a more balanced workout routine sometime soon. I know it’s best to mix it up.
I wish I could choose if I wanted to work out in the morning before work or in the evenings after (yeah, and I am well aware that technically I could), but I start work so early that I really don’t see how I would ever make this work. I already get up at 5:45 am and even though I consider myself a morning person (for the most part) anything before 6 a.m. is just cruel, don’t you agree?
What’s your workout routine? Do you work out in the morning or evenings?
This post is part of my ‘daily life‘ series where I talk about how we do things around here! Find the last post here.
Courtney
September 8, 2015 at 7:42 amI also just recently started running, and I also run 3 times a week. Since I am a student, though, I am lucky to have a flexible schedule that lets me run in the mornings. So, I usually wake up at 7:30, and I am out the door by 8. If I don’t do it in the morning, it is not happening that day.
Fitting workouts around a full-time job is, of course, much more difficult. I think I would need a gym membership then.
san
September 8, 2015 at 8:49 pmI do love to run in the morning on weekends… but like you said, fitting workouts around a full-time job during the week is challenging. The gym membership definitely helps with that!
Tanja
September 8, 2015 at 11:37 amAfter a long day at work (even though I am on my feet a lot) I feel the urge of working out.
Running, as you know, is by far not my favorite – but as you mentioned in your post, you can do it everywhere at any time. Unfortunately I tend to run way too fast when I’m by myself (guess I want to get over with it asap – lol) and therefore my breathing is off and killing me once in a while :) I strongly believe that’s one of the reasons I don’t like running.
If I go out with a running buddy it’s a different ball game – it’s still exhausting but I kinda enjoy it.
Instead of running I rather get my booty kicked at boot camp – every workout is different and I frequently get weight training in as well as endurance training.
I know I am very fortune that I also have my own little garage-gym, with spin bike, elliptical and weight machine. Working out is a huge part of my life and I wish I could learn from you how to overcome the hate for running – you are my inspiration!
san
September 8, 2015 at 8:50 pmI think it’s fantastic that you mix it up! Do you work out every day or do you have rest days (you should!)?
Gina
September 8, 2015 at 3:28 pmI think it’s so cool you’ve started running! Seems like you’ve really nailed down a good routine for yourself. Are you training for any races?
I’m currently training for a half marathon on October 4th. I’ve been doing short runs throughout the week and long runs on Saturdays. I’ve also been incorporating HIIT and yoga workouts into my training schedule. I like working out in the mornings to get my workout done and out of the way, though if I had to wake up as early as you do, there’s no way I’d workout before work!
san
September 8, 2015 at 8:51 pmThanks Gina! Seeing that other people run and train for races is definitely inspiring! I just signed up for (my first!) 10k in November. :)
Good luck on your half-marathon! October 4th is coming up fast! Hope your ankle will be healed quickly!
Stefanie
September 9, 2015 at 12:06 amWow, ich finde, da machst du ja echt viel Sport!:) Ich wünschte, ich hätte diese Disziplin. Ich schaffe es gerade mal auf einmal Yoga pro Woche. Aber das liebe ich sehr! Ich denke mir halt dann, lieber einmal als keinmal. Aber ein bisschen laufen täte mir auch gut. Naja, wie du sagst, ich überlege mir dann auch immer, was in der Zeit machen könnte, und das gewinnt dann meistens.:)
san
September 12, 2015 at 12:18 pmKann ich total verstehen, dass es auch irgendwie ein “Zeitproblem” ist… jeder Lauf der länger als 30 Minuten ist, da denke ich mir dann auch schon, wieviel Zeit dann futsch ist ;) aber ich bin mit Sport groß geworden (habe sogar Sport studiert) und brauche es auch irgendwie…also versuche ich es einzubauen und zu einer Priorität zu machen. Ich finde es aber super, dass du wenigstens einmal die Woche Yoga macht (wie du sagst: einmal ist besser als keinmal ;)) und Yoga ist ja auch ein gutes allgemeines Körper-Workout!
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
September 9, 2015 at 4:57 amGood for you for keeping with it and logging lots of miles! Even though it’s not something you ultimately ‘love’ doing, it’s always nice to work towards a goal and follow a training plan as it makes you feel so accomplished. I love running in general but I do not love every run and I do not love every moment of every run! I also only run 3 days a week most weeks as my club runs Mon/Wed nights and Saturday mornings. Sometimes I do an extra run with Phil during the week but that’s a pretty short run usually. Besides that I try to do 2 strength training sessions and I would like to do yoga but the studio I like to go to is SO DANG EXPENSIVE! But I am thinking about buying another punch card for there because it feels so good to go the day after a really long run.
san
September 12, 2015 at 12:18 pmYou’re my inspiration, Lisa, with all your super-long runs! It’s really impressive and I hope to get there someday.
Stephany
September 9, 2015 at 11:19 amUgh, I have been out of my workout routine for the past week and it does not feel good! I tell myself that once my move is over, I’ll get back to it.
I’m one of those crazy people who sets a 5am alarm so I can workout in the morning. (I have to be up at 6am if I’m not working out.) A 5am alarm means I’m most likely at the gym by 5:30. I don’t get home until 6pm or later, and I like an early bedtime, so with so few hours between when I get home and bedtime (3-4 hours), I don’t like to sacrifice it with working out. My motivation is higher in the morning, too. Nearly every time I tell myself I’ll work out after work, I find an excuse not to. So I must force myself out of bed early so I can get it done! :)
san
September 12, 2015 at 12:20 pmGood for you, Stephany, that you can make the morning workout work for you! I definitely understand that you don’t want to cut your evenings short by pushing the workout to after work…. maybe I’ll try that sometime ;) but getting up at 5 a.m. sounds horrible ;)
Marie
September 10, 2015 at 7:47 amI wish I could get out to run more often! But I get home around 6:30-7pm and really I have no desire to at that point. I’m out the door at 6:25 am and I am no morning person so going running a lot earlier than that is a big no. Which is why I go to the gym and sadly do a little warm up run on the treadmill and then proceed to do some weights. I try to do that 3 times a week, but end up mostly doing it twice a week. I do walk a mile everyday though (sometimes a bit more).
As you can tell, I’m not one for exercise but recognize that it is necessary. It’s nothing I ever look forward to!
I will say though that if you lived here, you likely wouldn’t be able to run outside all the time. Our weather is psychotic (think severe thunderstorms, winter and winter storms, extremely hot and humid weather where we get heat warnings, etc.). A lot of people end up going to the gym or do early morning runs.
san
September 12, 2015 at 12:22 pmIf I had your crazy schedule + commute, I’d find it hard to fit in a workout, too!! But I think you’re still doing a good job trying to fit some workouts into your schedule and the walking definitely helps with staying active!!
My preference would be to run outside, but like you said, depending on weather it might not be possbile (our summers are just too hot and I wouldn’t want to run early in the morning or at night in the wintertime, because it would be too dark outside… so the gym it is!)
Manja
September 11, 2015 at 10:03 pmLiving in a city of 7 hills does not help my ambivalent attitude and motivation towards running. But I do love team sport and do that 3 times a week with a proper sweat.
I tried joining the gym at the beginning of the year, but I ended up feeling really guilty to leave my beautiful labradoodle home alone even longer. So I cancelled and walk him (he can no longer run, or wants to with his 9 years of age) before/ after work.
Running I find the best exercise to get quickly in shape, my body responds pretty soon. But something’s gotta give, and it can’t be my dog, who by the way also has a dog walker when both my partner and me are out over the day.
Well done to your consistency San, I find it inspirational and wish you a great first 10k run.
san
September 12, 2015 at 12:23 pmI think you don’t need to worry about getting enough exercise with your basketball schedule! Also, taking your dog for regular walks definitely counts towards your activity level… :)
Thanks for your kind words, I am really trying to keep it up!