Hi guys! As I'm sure you've learned from the constant Facebook posts, we're having practice every day after school. As far as I know, people are just coming when they can. I understand if you can't make practice- I actually haven't been to a single winter practice yet! Which is awful but I'm going tomorrow. Anyways.
I know it's hard to run over the winter- I mean, I've only run three times since State! But one thing that makes it easier is setting a goal. Maybe register for a road race. I'm doing the 12ks of Christmas this Sunday, December 16th and probably the Nookachamps half marathon in January. I think these are fun because they're longer than we usually run and holiday related. If you don't want long there are plenty of holiday/winter themed 5ks or 10ks you could run. Just Google them!
Another thing about winter training that's hard is finding the time to schedule workouts or running. You might have a winter sport you're training for, lots of holiday events, traveling, homework, a job... Whatever it is, you really have to make time to run. I kind of learned this the hard way last month. I got a job right after State, got sick and missed a bunch of school, plus I have a ton of IB homework. Plus, it was nice to come home from school and drink cocoa with marshmallows while watching Mad Men or Top Gun! It was fun to hang out in my comfy checkered pj pants all day and not have to DO anything! I didn't want to go running in the cold, wet, barren world outside my window!
So basically I was slacking big time. Yes, I was sick, but really I probably could have gone running. Still, maybe I just needed a break. And maybe you did too. I'm okay with resting. I've learned, over the last few years, that it's good for you. But now it's December. Cross country ended a month ago. Track seems super far away, but think of it this way: we have three months in the summer to train for cross country. We have the winter to train for track, which I think starts in late March. Basically, if you want to have the same mileage base you had for cross country (or better) for track, you have to start NOW.
Maybe you don't want to start running again because, like I said, you want to be cozy and maybe celebrate the holidays by being indoors gift shopping or watching The Grinch with your family. Again, I get it, I've been there, but we HAVE to find some ways to get out of this rut. So... find fun ways to run! Make it something you look forward too! For those of you who are already running, kudos to you (but this list might be fun to check out anyways). If you haven't, here are some ideas...
- Do what my dad and I did this evening and go running at 8:00 at night to look at all the Christmas lights! Best to do with a buddy so you don't get attacked by a random axe murderer.
- Run at the YMCA or gym if it's really gross out. It can be fun to watch random spanish soap operas on the treadmills and make up your own dialogue for them
-Run with the team! Obviously. We're just cool.
-Go on runs with specific focuses on different aspects of form. Like, 'today I will focus on my stride' or 'today I will focus on my arm movement'. Maybe it's just me but I think this is fun.
-Shopping runs. Run to a store and buy something small for yourself. Then run home. Yes, you do look a little funny running home with a plastic bag of nail polish (I know this from experience) but who cares!
-Music runs. Run with your iPod blasting and literally sing to every. Single. Song. You will sound awful. And feel epic. Do it. Maybe in a secluded area. :P
-FOOD RUNS. Run with a buddy and grab lunch at Emerald City Smoothie, or go out for coffee after. I especially love food runs while I'm on vacation in Winthrop because you get to run on snowy trails and see mountains and stuff, then you can get really good almond milk lattes at the Mazama store.
-Adventure! Find some trails or parks you've never been to and explore them! You could even try geocaching! If you've never heard of it, Google it 'cause I'm too lazy to explain. Some of my favorite runs have involved getting lost while discovering new trails!
-Find a place you love and run there. I love downtown, and on long runs I can run through the city and down to Greenlake. It's fun because I can enjoy the entire thing! You might try Alki, your bak
-Do a 'me' run. This means whatever you want it to. For me, it means wearing my favorite running clothes, listening to my favorite music and just running. I don't plan the distance, the speed, or anything. If the distance or speed I end up going changes, so be it. If the weather is crap I might enjoy it, but it's okay if I go inside. Basically, for me these runs are about enjoying the freedom of running and nothing else. These probably aren't best to train with every day, but they're definately helpful to get you looking at running with a better mental attitude.
Any other ideas? Let me know!
