The Need for Speed Returns {Running a Virtual 5k}
This week I partook in my first race since the beginning of March. I was able to squeak by with a 5k right before everything shut down, but missed my planned April 10k. Along with missing the race, I fell off of my training without having that goal to work toward. As much as I enjoy the movement of running for the sake of running, when it comes to challenging myself I enjoy having a particular goal race to keep me pushing harder.
With that in mind, I saw that one of the local races I had done in the past was holding their 5k event this month, albeit virtually. Just having the option to send in my time was a good motivator to start working in some speed training back into the plan. Summer is a tough time here to really make improvements in race times due to the hot and humid conditions, but if you can get out early enough in the day it makes faster sessions much more bearable. I believe I signed up for the race in the middle of May, and enlisted a few pals to join in from their own neighborhoods.
I started training harder for a few weeks. I added back in a day or two a week of speed work on top of staying more consistent with running in general. Then two weeks ago it happened. I got in the shower before work, and couldn’t stand up straight when I got out. The old nagging low back pain had struck again! For about 5 years now that is my reminder that time is passing day by day, and my body needs a lot more maintenance than it once did. I switched gears from hard training to recovery mode, especially since I still had to be able to keep going enough to train my online classes (which I usually do along with the participants). It’s a bit of a bummer each time it happens (which is generally a few times a year now), but at least I have learned what works and what doesn’t to get back to normal. That might be a whole post in itself, but I digress….
Happily, I was feeling almost back to normal a week out from the virtual race weekend, so last week I got back on the running wagon with an easy run to test the waters and a short speedier session a few days before “race” day. Given the setback I had no delusions that I was going to set a blazing time, but I just wanted to feel well enough to give it all I had on that given morning. Atlanta showed out with some beautiful weather these past few days, so I woke up early Saturday morning to lace up and get out to run my course through the neighborhood.
It’s been a while since I’ve gotten up to get out by 6:30 in the morning for a run, but I knew it would be best to get up early and go. Plus very few other people were out so I could just focus on my run. The neighborhood is quite peaceful that early in the morning. Though I did startle quite a few bunnies breaking their fast. I did my usual warmup, then started the clock and gave it all I had!
I tried not to look at my watch during the run, preferring to focus solely on how I felt and trying to maintain a good cadence in my stride. It was the first time my body felt strong and pain-free in about three weeks, so for that alone I was grateful. I had no expectations on my time, but was pleasantly surprised to finish at an even 25:30 for the run. The course for the Lauren’s Run is a really hilly course, so honestly I probably only would have been a minute or two minutes faster on that route in full health had the event taken place in person! Definitely a time I was proud to submit given the struggles of the prior few weeks.
After finishing the run, it got me reflecting on the movement as a whole. Though I love lifting weights and grew up playing all kinds of different sports, running is something I do just for me. Getting out in nature is soothing for my mind and body, and exploring the world on foot always feels so natural and primal. I do wear shoes, but prefer minimal styles as I relish the connection with the ground below me. As I’ve written about before, I start getting cranky if I haven’t been out running in a while. Though I will hop on the treadmill if I need to, nothing beats getting outside and logging the miles with the birds chirping and the leaves blowing on the trees above your head. I know I’m not the only one who works through a lot of problems when I’m out on a run.
I go back and forth with running to hit goals and just running for pleasure, but I always come back to wanting to race. Think about how often you see children run. They have no qualms about unleashing that inner need to feel the wind on their face and see how fast their little legs can take them! I love when my niece wants to race me. She has no hesitation to call me out when I sandbag and go slower than I can go, even if I beat her. “Run as fast as you can Aunt Katie!”
When do we lose that freedom of movement? Racing for me reclaims that unbridled joy in pushing the limits of my legs and my lungs. I tend to hold back in so many areas of life, so letting go on a run breaks through that fear that binds me and helps me push through in more than just the physical. Setting running goals makes me work harder in all aspects of life as it puts my mind in the right place to move forward and not just stagnate. As I shared on my other social media outlets right after running on Saturday, I really do believe that running–racing in particular–makes me a better person.
Yesterday morning it was blissfully cool for June, so the boyfriend and I planned to get out and go berry picking again. However I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run in this kind of weather. Recovered from my racing efforts on Saturday morning, I opted for a quick speed session before we had to leave. I jogged down to the local school to use the parking lot for sprints. Once there I completely let loose and sprinted the length of the parking lot for six intervals before jogging back. I could feel every muscle in my legs from the bottom of my feet to my hips and through my core working together. It was glorious! Makes me feel so alive, and of course endlessly thankful for a usually very sound and fit body.
I could go into the research behind why interval training is so good for weight loss or how sprinting has a positive impact on bone health, but honestly it’s gorgeous out again today and all I want to do is enjoy another jaunt through the neighborhood! Not everyone enjoys or wants to run, but I still encourage you to find ways to move that challenge you. Of course we all need plenty of low impact, lower intensity work, as well, but you’re missing out if you’re not finding your limits and breaking them in some small way. Remember it is all relative, as well. Each person has a different body, so you have to find what works for you to challenge yourself in a way that makes sense for your body. When I’m 90 my sprints might be my current walking pace, but by golly I better be up off my butt moving!
This will count as my support of the latest @naturalmedicine challenge on Hive. You can find the original post here to join in with your story of how movement inspires and impacts your own life!
Alright, the streets are calling my name. Come catch me if you can…
