Do you ever feel like you go through phases with your running? Like maybe you started out doing it to lose weight and hated it. Or sometimes you are hardcore training for a race and other times you are just running whatever you feel like a few times a week. Maybe you even have had times when you stopped running for a bit- whether due to injury, a planned, break, or just life- but of course you were still a “runner” during those times. We may all have these times when we feel like a different kind of runner than who we used to be.
Lately I’ve Felt Like A Different Kind Of Runner
Lately (since I moved) I have been running around my old stomping grounds. I lived in this area from 2008-2010 when I was renting an apartment with my roommate before Rob and I moved in together. As I run the same streets now as I did back then, I can’t help but notice a drastic shift in the runner I am now compared to who I was then. It’s also apparent that I have gone through phases with my running, rather than a direct path from where I was then to where I am now.
Back then I was exercising 6 days a week, but running was only a part of that regimen. I would occasionally sign up for a race and then run a bit more to prepare for it. Typically I was running 3-4 days a week, but I wasn’t counting my mileage. My guess would be I ran maybe 15 miles a week? When I ran outside I didn’t really track my pace. I would run with a stopwatch and occasionally use “MapMyRun” to see how far I ran and what my pace was, just out of curiosity. When I ran on the treadmill I would read a magazine, listen to music, and watch TV. Sometimes all at once. (I have no idea how I used to be able to do that. Now, it’s just me and the run.)
When Running Started to Change for Me
It was right before I moved in 2010 that I got hit with the running bug and started to increase my mileage. These were the days before I knew what a foam roller was and “core work” meant “crunches”. I signed up for the Baltimore Marathon with the hopes of participating that fall. (I had already completed 3 half marathons.) As I increased my mileage I started to have hip pain, and long story short I ended up scheduling surgery for a labral repair rather than running a marathon that fall.
I don’t think that it was just a few months of increased training led to my injury; it may have just become more noticeable because of that. It was more likely due to years of dancing and playing field hockey, which are activities that are more likely to cause a labral tear than running alone (and I also had FAI which is a huge factor in labral tears).
Of course no one wants to have a serious injury that leads to surgery. But if we are going to look at the silver lining, it led me to start learning more about the importance of things like foam rolling and strengthening exercises. I also spent my down time reading healthy living blogs. Once I recovered from surgery and began running again I guess you could say I became a more “serious” runner. I began running races regularly, started reading running blogs, and running became my primary form of exercise.
Since then I have gone through some other phases. However, I always feel like I am making some sort of progress and constantly learning new things.
Becoming Stronger (Mentally and Physically)
There is one big hill on the main street in my neighborhood. I always remember that when I had to run up it to get back from my runs 5 years ago it seemed impossible. Most of the time I would stop and walk when I was halfway up. If I made it the whole way, I stopped and walked once I got to the top.
Yesterday, I did 6 hill repeats on that hill. Of course, it is still a challenging hill, and I don’t think that being a more seasoned runner or being in better shape has accounted for my new perception of this hill. It’s more about the mindset. 5 years ago I would always tell myself that it was a big hill and that I could stop and walk. Now I tell myself to push through it and remind myself that it will make me stronger. Lately, walking up that hill just hasn’t been an option, so no matter how hard it feels, I push through.
In a way I think its also a bit of a metaphor for life. We go through ups and downs, some moments/days/years are harder than others, but its really our perception of a situation that determines how we will handle it and if we will persevere.
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- Do you feel like you go through different phases with your running?
- What is something that you have learned to push through and has ultimately led to you becoming stronger in that area?
- How do you measure your progress over a long period of time?
I really like this post… I can relate running has always been part of my regime and i always felt like i was a bit of a natural and enjoyed the beep test. Now I run every week and have started to run a few half marathons and am finding the importance of recovery rehab n new challenges. Keep up the inspiring writing. Do you have recommendations for other hreat blogs to follow?
Its great that you are looking to focus on some of those things! As for other blogs to follow, I follow alot of the people who comment on my blog. Checking out their sites might be a good place to start!
Yes, definitely. I think many runners have to learn the hard way, through an injury, that you have to care for your running and your body if you want it to last. Just working hard is not enough! I do think valuing running forces us to think long term rather than in an instant gratification sort of way.
All of that is so true. I don’t think I “valued” running until after I had surgery and it was taken away from me for so long.
I definitely look back over the years at how my running and workouts have changed. I never used to track pace and running didn’t become my focus until about four years ago. I do still use MapMyRun, I am a creature of habit lol
At least there is an app now! I used to draw the lines on my computer screen- doing that after long runs would make me feel like I was going blind!
Even though I hardly run like I used to, I still consider myself a runner. Long slow distances are my preference, but I did enjoy when I bettered my time in races. I really like running up hills, they are a challenge for both body and mind, and I like track work too. Always fun to find new running routes!
I am slowly gaining an appreciation for hills..for so long I avoided them and was not good at them (especially when I lived in the city where it was flat!) I also enjoy the long, slow distances but its also nice to be able to measure progress by racing!
I’ve learned the hard way, sometimes even when doing nothing technically “wrong.” But I think that we are different people every time we come back to running–mentally and physically. Why should we expect to be the same runners too?
I know what you mean about not necessity doing anything wrong but still being forced to take a break from running. You’re so right- we definitely change mentally and physically when we return from time off.
I definitely have grown as a runner. When I started running I primarily used it as cross training, since I was a competitive swimmer. Anything over 3 miles was OMG WAY TOO LONG. In college I started to run recreationally as a way to get fit. It wan’t until I moved out on my own, and for the first time was TOTALLY outside my comfort zone did I take running seriously. It was how I got involved in a brand new city, and a way for me to explore at the same time. It was also a great stress relief in grad school. I think progress can be measured in a bunch of quantitative ways, but for me, it’s the amount of satisfaction/enjoyment I get out of it.
I think that most of us have gone through a similar process with our running. Your enjoyment of it is a great way to measure your progress!
I remember running in a very similar way – no GPS, just a stopwatch – back in college, and running on the treadmill with TV in the background and listening to music. Running has definitely become more about goals for me since I graduated, but in that time I’ve definitely learned a lot more about recovery like foam rolling.
I think part of the process many of us go through is realizing that we need to make adjustments as we change what we want to get out of running. And injury prevention is often a key part of that!
That’s really cool that you have that hill to measure your fitness against. What a cool feeling to know you struggled with it and now you’re doing hill repeats on that thing! Great post.
I actually dreaded that hill a bit before I moved back here, but then I ran up it a few times and it definitely got me thinking about how different my running is now!
Sometimes I feel like we could run the same blog. You always end up saying things i’m feeling! Perception is so important. I like that even though i’m not running this moment, it doesn’t mean i’m not a runner. it just means i’m working on my weaknesses for fall running. I had a stop sign back in the neighborhood i started running in and everytime i run back to it (when i’m in indiana) it totally takes me back and makes me super proud of my running history, but also keeps me completely humbled and in awe of the sport itself.
There are a few spots like that for me, like the place where I ran my first 20 miler ever, my first race ever, etc. I think paying attention to those reminders can help us to see all the growth we have made over the years. And of course you are still a runner even though you aren’t running, and you will only come back stronger than before!
Love this post! Especially as I am in a down phase with running right now. Even though it’s been tough to get in the miles, I love comparing how hard even short runs used to feel with how I feel when I’m running double-digit mileage. And I love pushing through planks – a minute used to feel like an eternity, now it’s totally manageable. Awesome job on those hill repeats!
Exactly! When I started running years ago a 30 minute run felt so long, now its super short. And same thing with planks- those are another great way to measure progress!
As someone who has been running for 17-some years, I can say without a doubt that we have different phases of running. This past year has been completely different for me and I’ve enjoyed it so much. Yet it’s a type of running/training that a few years back I would have had no interest in doing. Running truly is a metaphor for life!
Exactly! And its not like any phases is better or worse, its just what works for you at the time.
I definitely go through phases with my running! I’ve had time off after injury and I sometimes just don’t find it as enjoyable and do it less. Usually I end up doing mor yoga or some other type of exercise that is floating my boat more. But I never go too long without any running at all! Spraining my ankle last year taught me to have patience when it comes to taking time off from running and it also taught me to be better at letting others take care of me! I was living in a yoga community and people would take me in the wheelbarrow everywhere, fun times 🙂
I think its so important to take those breaks when we just don’t feel like it…pushing through will only take away from our love of running! Patience is such a key part of running (and returning to running).
I can totally relate. I’ve been through so many different phases of running. At first, as part of my gym time to burn calories and stay fit. Then, I started taking it more seriously and trained for a marathon because it was on my bucket list. Now it’s grown into a love and I can’t stay away from it!
Congrats on the hill repeats! It sounds like through your running experience over the years, you’ve definitely trained your mind to overcome any obstacle thrown at you 🙂
Isn’t it crazy that at one point we felt like we “had to” run or “should” run and now we get upset when we can’t?! The mind training is such a huge part of running!
I feel like I can really relate to this right now. I’m not training for a race for the first time since I started running regularly. It’s been fun, but a little weird, to try to just run by feel and see what I feel like doing.
I like your anecdote about the hill that you used to struggle with. It must be so inspiring to run up it with ease now.
I think that when we take a break from training, if that is what we are used to, it gives us a difference perspective on running which is usually a nice change!
Nothing like revisiting some old stomping grounds to see how you’ve changed perspective and training. I definitely go through phases, and I love hearing about the phases others have gone through! I don’t think this is talked about too often. Great work on bringing it up 🙂
Nice job on the hill repeats too!
Thanks! I think that we all go through different phases and sometimes we just don’t notice where we are or where we have been with our running until a certain situation causes us to stop and reflect.
I have gone through phases, and I’m in a phase of running is fun again and I don’t want to schedule races so I can keep have fun. I don’t like being injured but maybe it was meant to be. I felt like I had to keep scheduling races and now I’m in it for the fun again.
Im glad that you are happy with where you are…and I think that should always be the goal. Maybe at some point you will be ready to race again but it sounds like this is a great place for you and running right now!
I love this post! The way you feel about your hill is exactly how I feel about my bridge. I remember the days when I used to just tell myself before I even got to the bridge that I would walk it. It didn’t even occur to me that I could or should run it, and now I am do repeats on it … well only like three of them but still 🙂 It’s also how I feel about eliminating walking breaks now. For so long I really thought I NEEDED them and it’s been so liberating and motivational now to see that I don’t! Leaving them behind has made me feel like a different kind of runner and I like this phase I’m in!
That is so awesome! It sounds like you have gained so much confidence in your running over the past few years!
TOTALLY RELATE! In the past couple of years I’ve had months that I ran 0 miles (injury) and months that I’ve run 30 miles (just because I didn’t wanna) and months that I ran 130+ miles. Now that I’m finally coming back from an extended injury, I can’t WAIT to get back at it. I ran 3.5 miles Thursday, and the blow to my ego when I saw my pace was brutal lol But I was just happy to be out there! Don’t be surprised when you hear from me about coaching for a late fall half once I get a solid base built back up. 🙂
For me coming back from injury brought a whole bunch of its own phases…everything from wanting to run all the miles to being afraid to run at all! And of course there will always be that frustration of our pace being significantly slower than it was before injury. I hope to hear from you about training for a fall race!
Whew. Blurry or not, I can tell that baby is a HILL! Great job on the repeats, Lisa! You have come so far!
I definitely go through phases of running. I was actually just thinking about this today. I had a 5k that ended up being a pretty good race for me today and I was trying to think about what’s different now than even last year at this same race. Other than some workout intensity adjustments, which contributed to the end result to an extent, I’ve kept things pretty similar, but my mindset is in a different place. I feel like I was letting myself get too comfortable in some races and today I just tried to take in mile by mile and rather than let up when it started to hurt just push more, just to see what I had. It’s so weird to think that we should do these obvious things, but easier said than done sometimes right haha. There’s always room for growth and learning in this sport that’s for sure 🙂 Great post!
Well I can’t wait to hear more about this race!! You are so right that we can easily end up getting comfortable and that can sometimes hold us back. I am glad you were able to push past that to reach your full potential for your race!
I really enjoyed how you talked about how your mentality changed. I think how we think and how we view ourselves as runners plays a huge role in our successes. This was a great post!
I really think is such a big part of our running! Glad you enjoyed it:)
GREAT post Lisa! I definitely agree with this, and I tend to get very frustrated with myself when I fall off the bandwagon with exercises, but you are right, those times we are hurt remind us of how much it means. You are going to run so much better from all your setbacks, and we just have to go with the flow life gives us from our running 🙂
I think its been really helpful for me lately to reflect back on my running to put things in perspective..we can’t always be faster than the day before- there will of course be ups and downs! But when you look back on a year, or 5 years, or 10 years, then you can really see progress. And as long as you are enjoying the running, that’s what really matters:)
I love this! What a good thing to self-reflect on as well. I’m probably in the midst of becoming the kind of runner who really puts her heart and soul into running, instead of it being a 2-3x per week thing along with other forms of working out. I’m so excited to compete in races but am nervous about injury — in that sense I have a lot to learn from you!
The fact that you are even concerned about the possibility of injury puts you ahead of most other runners who are just getting into racing! I think that as long as you are smart about your training you will be just fine:)
Great post! The marathon I ran last fall was literally run on the streets where I used to live when my kids were babies. The last time I ran there was with a triple jogger stroller! Memory lane! When my kids were little running was a way to keep sane, maintain fitness, and an escape–but I was not “competitive ” with it. Now I like to push myself. Up until a year ago I never ran with a watch! Before kids, I was competitive, but I don’t compare times now and then. I have decided that with each new age group I “age into”, I will have new PR’s for that age group. I can’t do the times I did 20+ years ago! It is always nice to create new goals…
Isn’t it so weird to run in a place like that? To me it feels like it was different life. And yes, there are always new goals that can be accomplished!
When I was training for my marathon last September, running took over my life and everything in it. From what I ate to my social life, everything revolved around my training schedule. After my marathon, I DESPISED running. I never had the urge to hit the pavement and even the thought of running sent a wave of disgust over me. Eventually, those feelings went away and now I am in a phase of running for enjoyment. If I want to run 4 miles, I will. If I don’t want to run 4 miles, I won’t. If I want to run without knowing my mileage or pace, I will. Or I won’t.
I’m glad that you are now in a place where you are enjoying your running rather than forcing it. It can be a tough balance sometimes, but running is supposed to be fun, and when its not anymore, something probably has to change. Your time off after your race sounds like a very smart decision!
I can definitely relate to going through different phases! I’ve only been running since 2013 (June will make 2 years) and I go through periods of being highly motivated and periods of wondering why I’m fooling myself. When I’m not in my melodramatic mood I can look back on where I was two years ago when I started and I feel really proud of where I am today (despite innate slowness, recurring injuries aches and pains, and these stupid summertime blisters that take all the joy out of running for me).
I also have to always remind myself of the importance of strength training, foam rolling and cross training to help me become a better and stronger runner (faster might not come so easily).
I love this post! Great job 🙂
I think that all of those phases are such a natural part of running! Just like every run won’t feel perfect, we will also have weeks or months that just aren’t good. I’ve learned the best thing to do is to back off from running and before I know it I get that inch to run again. I think as runners we often expect to see progress day in and day out, but it doesn’t really work like that. I’m glad that you have hung in there despite some times when you have doubted yourself!
As I get older I have learned to listen more and more to my body. I don’t push as hard anymore when I feel something’s coming up. I remember back in the day when I didn’t need to warm-up and just played sports. Nowadays, slow and steady wins the race.
That is so important! I think it takes many of us a long time to figure out how to listen to our bodies.
I don’t know how I missed this post–it is really a good one. You really hit the nail on the head when you said that running really is a metaphor for life. (I think Oprah said the same thing!) Lots of ups and downs, ebbs and flows…I’ve been running for over 20 years, and my running has changed as my life has changed. Now I’m running from old age!
Glad you enjoyed the post! It definitely has been something I am realizing more the longer that I have been running.