No I wasn’t literally running backwards, although I understand that’s good exercise. This morning, however, when I went for my run, I had a 3.2 miler planned. Considering all the walking I’ve wanted to do during my runs, I decided to try something a little different. So when I headed out this morning, I took my route backwards. I’ve resisted this before because there’s one really good-sized hill on the route and I prefer to take that downhill rather than uphill (for obvious reasons).
Since I’ve been walking even bigger hills, I figured I could handle this hill this morning, even though it put the hill toward the end of my run, so I was worried about being tired when I got there.
But I didn’ t get tired. In fact, I felt great going up this hill. Really strong. Sometimes on my runs, the later miles are better than this first, and this was one of those days. And then I got to go downhill most of the last half mile, which I hadn’t even thought about since it’s not as steep an incline.
My whole run was great this morning. The other benefit of running the course backwards was that I didn’t have my preset spots where I normally feel like walking. It took away the “habit” of wanting to walk. I put my iPod on shuffle, so the music was more diverse as well. That, and the perfect running weather this morning– about 50 degrees, a little cloudy– and the morning timing made this one of the best runs I’ve had in a really long time. It felt strong the whole way and when I consider the .2 miles (about 4 minutes) that I walk to warm up, I paced at about 11:15 for the run. Fast for me.
The rest of the day was Easter. Lots of eating and not good stuff. But that’s ok. Tomorrow I’ll get back on track.
And the running? I think that will get easier now. It felt great to have a really good run. About time!
I hope everyone had a Happy Easter, or at least a Happy Sunday. Spring is finally here.
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I love that feeling of coming back from a run and feeling elated, strong, confident. congrats and good work!
Wow! Great run Diane! My first miles are always more difficult than the last ones. Somewhere around half my route it gets though but from that point on it usually goes easier.
I always have my Ipod on shuffle as I have no “slow” songs on it and I like the variety in music during my runs.
what a great idea. i have the same mental fight every time i run. i just decided the other day that there are 4 things to train for during a triathlon…….swimming, biking, running, AND mental blocks
Oh yeah… Mixing it up is a must!
You know what I hate… the out and back. I HAVE to run a circle route… and going backwards is a great way to change things around.
LOVE your blog!!
Thanks!!!
WeighDownSouth.com
I like to use my first 2 miles as a warm up; I think this is why I never feel as good after a short run and also why I am not great at the 5k distance!
Hope your holiday was good!
[...] an account of a newbie runner who tried this trick and found [...]