On yesterday’s run I remembered today is my Runniversary! I started running on this day in 2006! 🥳
I’m in such a different place with running this year than I was compared to the past couple of years, and I’m so happy for it. I went to my blog and searched “runniversary” and the post that popped up was from two years ago. In it I talked about running not being as enjoyable and getting injured more often because of my weight. And I joked that rock painting would take over as my new obsessive hobby.
It totally did. And the social media that went along with it. (It’s not the only reason why but) I didn’t focus on my health.
This year, I reprioritized. I took December – February off running (good timing, right? ha) to focus on walking and my eating habits, and I started running again in March. I took it very slow – I took a few months to train for a 5K in June, then got half marathon ready for a half I didn’t do in mid August (I ran one last month and felt great though!), and have kept my double distance mileage up since then.
I stopped tracking my overall mileage and how many days a week I ran. I stopped caring how far I ran and stopping my watch on a .00. I rarely ran with pace on my Garmin screen before, and still don’t now – it just shows the time of day and beeps at each mile.
In a year that’s been so chaotic (mostly in good ways!), I’ve somehow been able to develop a balanced (for me) approach to running. Maybe out of necessity from the chaos? It feels good though. It feels like a much healthier relationship. I absolutely love running, but am fine to go a day (or days) without it. I’m not obsessing over stats. I’m not hurting myself. I’m proud that I’ve been so careful in my return to running, and respectful of my body.
I hope I am writing something similar next year on November 10th!
I am eyeing the Denver Marathon next May. I know it’s possible to be this casual about running and successfully train for a marathon (that I’ll be running for fun). I will keep myself in check though. I don’t want to go back to my old obsessive ways! (and again, the chaos likely won’t let me!)
That’s so great that you’ve found such a healthy approach to and relationship with running 🙂
I used to have the same obsessive tendencies when it came to stats and tracking, both with running and even group fitness classes so I can definitely understand how hard it is to break those habits. I think my chaos did the same thing for me this year. I had a lot of weeks where I just couldn’t do it, and that had to be okay. Now I do the best that I can with regards to workouts but I don’t fret if I’m not going as many times each week as I’d like.
Thank you!
And look at us, finding the silver lining in the chaos, right? I am glad you are there too – it feels so much better, doesn’t it? Makes me wonder if life has to get chaotic for types like us to learn this.
I’m so impressed that you have managed to develop such a balanced, healthy approach to running. Any tips? I’m having a hard time with this post surgery. I want to jump right back in where I was pre surgery, both for pace and distance. Being slow, gentle, and patient is hard!
Gosh, a huge part of what helped me was being so busy and burned out and I don’t wish that on anyone. And you probably already feel that way being a mom. But if the constant reminder of not wanting to overdo it and get injured helps, just keep thinking about that so you’ll slow down! You don’t want to be laid up again!
Happy Runiversary! If you’re thinking 26.2 then things are in a good place!
Thank you! They are!
Congratulations! I think it’s wonderful that you have been able to come to such a place of healthy balance with your running 🙂
Thanks so much Amy! I can’t wait to run together (hopefully?) in April! Want to run and ride with me while I do a long run? LOL
Congratulations on your runniversary and I just loved to follow your journey with running in the last couple of years. I am so happy you’re in such a healthy place where you can enjoy running without being obsessive about it.
Thanks so much San! That means a lot to me and your comment makes me feel really seen!
You know what I notice? Your ear-to-ear smiles when you post on Insta. 🙂 And, you focus on you and your joy – not your watch! Go, you.
Aww, thank you! That is exactly my focus!