Going the distance part 1
2024-12-05 20:41
Going the distance is a blog series I'm creating related to how I've continued to lace up and just run, week after week, for the past 16+ years. It's a reminder for myself of the things that work, and an exploration into the why's and how I actually do it.
For context
I am my own runner. The type of running I do is very much me. If a psychologist analysed my running I'm sure the places I go, the energy I exert, the community I've built around running, would be a reflection of who I am, the positives and negatives and all. It is an expression of myself which until recently I haven't actually thought about, and am a little uncertain if I should dive into it, or just let it be.
If I dive in, will I bring the subconscious to the conscious, and let my inner turmoil stimmy action and create procrastination. Is that what's happening right now? I like to think my recent inconsistency in running is because of illnesses I've been battling, as well as big movements in career, but there is a potential that because I've started questioning the reasons behind my running style, that maybe I'm running to escape things, seek attention, release frustration, or many many other things.
Anyway, I don't want to tackle those harder questions yet. I just want to start simple, and let things unbundle as I write.
My sweet spot: ~70km/3000m / week
If I were to label myself as a type of runner right now, I would call myself a mountain runner, because trail runner and ultra runner sounds too confined. I like trails, but I also like going off the beaten track, scrambling ridges, following goat tracks. I like running "ultras" or long distances, but I also like short interesting routes that if you looked at the time alone, would sometimes resemble the time it takes to run an ultra. Mountain running just tackles it all.
Lately I haven't been doing many events. Generally I like to choose my own adventure, and often run solo, though I have enjoyed lately running with friends I connect with. I love running with my sister, who is also a keen runner (and does bloody well in events).
I've been told I'm uncoachable, and I think that is because of what I've written above - running is a reflection of who I am, and a release of things - and if I were to follow a programme (I've tried) that would take a lot of things away from me. I set my own very loose programmes, which consider rest, distance, vertical meters, and effort, but I adjust as to my life happenings and energy levels.
So, I am a mountain runner and there's a lot of deeper shit going on behind it all.
Going the distance series
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