I don't wanna run, I want to pose for pictures.
Don’t Think. Just Run!
This is exactly the phrase I repeated to myself over and over throughout the day as I psyched myself up for a killer run. As you know, I’ve been suffering from a mild case of Runner’s Block lately. It’s not surprising. I think marathon runners often struggle a little bit to regain the motivation after the big race (unless you’re a smart little runner who anticipates Runner’s Block in advance!).
I’ve been running at least four days a week, but the pace is pretty slow, and the mileage is pretty weak. Bad little runner girl! I find myself getting frustrated during my runs as I attempt to increase the speed or push a little further. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t get in the zone. Even my good friends Kanye and Eimnem aren’t doing the trick. In other words: I’m just not enjoying it.
So tonight, I told myself to stop THINKING about it and Just Run. I suppose this little mantra wasn’t that unique…merely an altered version of a little known phrase: Just Do It.
Ever heard of it?
Anyway with my iPod fully charged and my brain turned off, I set out to run until my body wanted to stop. Pace, distance and time were irrelevant -it was all about getting in the zone, switching to cruise control and enjoying the ride.
And what do ya know? It worked. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt damn good. In the end, I ran for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I stopped to take some pics and do some tricep dips along the way so not completely sure of the time. Distance? I have no idea. Somewhere in the double digits range. Pace? Not too fast, not too slow, but just right.
I ran 20 minutes to my favorite spot in the city, the Lower East Side track. It’s what I like to call my special spot. I think I may have been a hamster in another life because I could literally run in circles (with good music) for hours without a problem. But, scenery like this is a bonus. I probably completed over 6 miles on this little track tonight…Not sure though, I wasn’t keeping track 😉
track + city skyline + male soccer players = runner's heaven
So What is a Perfect Run?
Sometimes I think it’s hard to put a perfect run into words – you don’t think it, you just feel it. For me Pearl Jam’s, “Given to Fly” feels like a perfect run. It’s not necessarily the lyrics of the song, but the way the music takes me to another place when I’m in the middle of one of those “magical” runs.
Want to know what it feels like? Click on the YouTube video below. I compiled some of my NYC running pictures together and set them to “Given to Fly.” I thought it would be a cool way to show what a perfect run feels like for me: Forget pace, forget distance, forget time – JUST RUN. Check it out (this is far from a professional video – in fact, it is the opposite):
Question:
What song reminds you of a perfect run? Why?
You go girl, I knew you would get your groove back 🙂
I can’t really say one song that means a perfect run, although I do love listening to Rascal Flatts when I run. I pretty much love every song they have made and they are all so different it keeps things interesting!
If I ever move to NYC in about 1-2 years, I hope we can be running partners!
I have never been to the East River track, would you believe! I really need to check it out one of these days. I love your mantra – it’s simple and it makes sense! I don’t listen to music when I run – I know, I’m a weirdo 🙂
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