It’s Just Running

With all the races being cancelled, I know it can be frustrating. My own “A” race, Boston, has been postponed. I’ve been building towards Boston for 3+ years. Although I am disappointed, I am not angry.

When I step back and put it in perspective, I understand that it’s just running, a selfish pursuit. Sure it makes me feel better, which translates into other areas of my life. However, it’s not curing cancer, ending hunger, or bringing world peace. Of all the disruptions to life now, to me, races seem trivial.

You can still run. It’s important to get outside for both your physical and mental health. It’s a great way to do something while practicing social distancing.

Here’s what you can do and how you can benefit from this time:

• Back-off on your training: Allow your body to heal from minor aches and pains. Reduce stress and the risk of injury/illness. And heal.
• Just run for fun: Training can sometimes feel like work. Take some time to run for fun without the pressure of hitting a specific workout.
• Build a bigger base. The bigger your base, the better you’ll be able to withstand the stress of more focused training, and the more effective that training will be.
• Stretch out your training cycles: Instead of trying to fit all your workouts into a week, spread some of them out over two weeks. Instead of a 6-week speed block, for example, stretch it out over 10-weeks. Give your body more time to adapt.
• Train your weaknesses: Focus on the parts of your running that’s most limiting your performance, perhaps the type of training you haven’t had enough time to do adequately.
• Try something new/different:
  • Training for a long race and doing mostly long runs? Add some shorter, higher intensity runs.
  • Focusing on speed? Back off. Build a bigger base. That’ll make you even faster and less prone to injury when you get back to speed later.
  • Pounding the pavement? Hit the trails.
  • Avoiding hills? Run them.
  • Always run with a group? Run alone. Pay attention to your body. Listen to the rhythm of your breathing. Learn how to pace yourself.

Boston has been postponed until September. I feel a sense of relief. I have five more months to train, to get faster and stronger, to better condition my legs to handle the distance strongly and confidently, to train more with less risk of injury.

If I never get to do Boston, in fact if I never race again, I’ll be OK. Life goes on. The sun will still rise in the east and set in the west.

Have fun. Be smart. See you on the roads and trails (from 6′ away).

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