I am the person who ALWAYS runs with music. I ALWAYS have my phone when I run. A pair of headphones and a great pandora station to listen to. If I am not listening to music I am usually running with someone--and even then when Dad and I run races together I often find myself listening to music.
Last night--my dear darling children built a fort in our living room--and enjoyed a "movie in" aka--netflix on my phone. They were getting along, having fun, and enjoying whatever they were watching (ironically enough I believe my BOYS were watching Barbie's Dream house. :P) When the rain let up and Justin (my wonderful husband) said he wanted to run--I asked him (ok--told him really) that I would prefer to go. I hadn't been running in almost a week--rain, heat, humidity, dizziness, and a whole slew of other things had prevented me from running. I NEEDED to get out there. I was super crabby and just needed some space. Well, I started getting ready and asked the boys for my phone. I got it and the bar was barely there. So--I plugged it in...4%. Crap. I got ready, and checked it again. 6%. Crap again. There was no way I could go on a 30 minute run with that battery. So--I had to make a choice--run sans technology or not run at all. For the forementioned reasons...I choose to run.
And run I did. It was INCREDIBLE. I have been using the couch-to-5K app for my runs. I LOVE the Couch to 5K. It's such a wonderful app for many many reasons. BUT--since I didn't have my phone--and I was only armed with my handy dandy polar watch (which I got a few weeks back and really like!) I figured I would take a tip from an article I read the other day: run until you can't run, walk until you are in control, and repeat. So--that was my plan. I have a 2ish mile route I use for my runs. So I set out. I walked until I got to the road I usually begin running on...gotta warm up my legs a little bit. It was actually kind of chilly out! I was surprised! I walked for about 4:30. Then I started running. Slow and steady was my goal. Keeping my breathing under control. Make it to the end of the road. (The road turns) I could do it.
I made it to the end of the road. I was feeling good--in control. My legs were a little tired--but I was in control. I wasn't going fast by any means! Heck I was actually going quite slow. BUT--I wanted to maintain the control. So I continued. Could I make it to the sign? Got it! Still feeling alright--my legs were a little bit better--still in control. Could I make it to 10 minutes of straight running? Yep. Got it!! I was excited about that--I debated at this point what I wanted to do. If I wanted to keep running or start alternating running and walking. I assessed myself--how did my legs feel? Actually good--I could even push a little bit harder! How is my breathing? Wow, I am really in sync and my breathing is in control. How am I feeling overall? Strong. I kept going.
And going. And going. I kept finding my legs going in and out of strength vs. tired. I pushed through--reminding myself that it gets better--don't stop now. I made it to my usual "ending" point on the couch to 5K app...and kept running. My goal--the house for sale on my route. I made it--could I make it to the house with the ramp? Eeks! I am getting there! At this point...I was past running a full 20 minutes. I haven't done that in AGES!!! AND I was still feeling good--my legs were feeling good. I was in control.
I ended up running all the way home. Not stopping until I hit my front steps! I was SHOCKED!! I hadn't run like that in a LONG LONG time. It felt good. I felt IN CONTROL. I was in a groove. Even after I finished--I contemplated running the last 4 minutes to make it to 30 minutes. However, I was already home and I could hear Jordyn fussing inside. I walked a little bit to let my body cool down--and then went inside and stretched.
So...why did I write this huge blog post? Well--not only am I super proud of my controlled run. I have to say--running sans technology was pretty amazing. I enjoyed being one with myself and nature. I enjoyed hearing my foot steps. I enjoyed just running. No distractions. I felt like I was more in control--and less likely to give up. I was pushing myself--constantly evaluating how I felt and how my breathing was. Listening closely to my body's signals. I really think--I am going to start running sans technology. It was exhilarating and refreshing!
Have you ever ran sans technology?! What did you think? Would you do it again?
(On a side note--while I plan on running sans technology--I won't *really* be running completely sans technology like I did yesterday. As I will carry my phone to be safe. If something happened to me I would want to be able to call for help or have someone be able to track me!)
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