Following last weekend’s disappointments at parkrun and at the Great North 10k, I reflected on why I started running and what exactly I enjoyed the most about it. For me it wasn’t so much about time or achieving PB’s, it was about just being out there in the open, being in my own little world taking in the scenery and just enjoying my runs for what they were.
Over the past year as I’ve improved in my running I feel as though I’ve lost focus of this as most races I’ve taken part in, I’ve been more focused on trying to get that PB rather than just enjoying the run for what it is and in all honesty I haven’t enjoyed my running as much recently and I felt this was really hammered home to me last weekend after the two races.
As a result of last weekend I decided to go back to basics so to speak and just enjoy my running for what it was. Tuesday evening saw me do a nice 7 miler along the cycle track towards Waskerley (one of the benefits of living in Consett is that I’m spoilt for choice for good running routes). I took this at my own pace not even worrying about time or how fast I was going. I was quite happy just taking in the scenery and being in my own little world, before I knew it, I had completed 7 miles and for the first time in a while I could quite honestly say that I enjoyed my run.
Wednesday evening saw the Elvet Striders club handicap, not so long ago I had hopes of beating my time and would come out all guns blazing in an attempt to do so. I was one of the first runners to start and what I found was rather than blasting off and trying to get round as fast as I could, I was quite happy just to plod round talking to some of the other runners as well as taking in the awesome scenery of Houghall Woods. I may have been one of the last ones finished 4.78 miles in 54:34 but again I can quite honestly say I enjoyed my run.
A quietish weekend on the running front saw me do Sunderland parkrun on Saturday in 31:53, nowhere near my best time but I really wasn’t bothered about this as for me running is about taking part and having fun and for me this was what had been missing over the last few weeks. Sunday saw me up and early for a long slow 13 miles along the Derwent Walk, which I found really relaxing as I find on my long runs that I can just go into my own little world without distractions for a couple of hours and that will be my strategy for both the GNR and Kielder.
Wednesday evening saw the Elvet Striders club handicap, not so long ago I had hopes of beating my time and would come out all guns blazing in an attempt to do so. I was one of the first runners to start and what I found was rather than blasting off and trying to get round as fast as I could, I was quite happy just to plod round talking to some of the other runners as well as taking in the awesome scenery of Houghall Woods. I may have been one of the last ones finished 4.78 miles in 54:34 but again I can quite honestly say I enjoyed my run.
A quietish weekend on the running front saw me do Sunderland parkrun on Saturday in 31:53, nowhere near my best time but I really wasn’t bothered about this as for me running is about taking part and having fun and for me this was what had been missing over the last few weeks. Sunday saw me up and early for a long slow 13 miles along the Derwent Walk, which I found really relaxing as I find on my long runs that I can just go into my own little world without distractions for a couple of hours and that will be my strategy for both the GNR and Kielder.
All in all it has been a satisfying week for me as I’ve found my enjoyment in running again. I’ve found that I’m quite happy plodding round with a smile on my face rather than berating and beating myself up because I didn’t get the PB I was after or because I didn’t get the time I wanted. Even if it means I’m the last man to cross the finish line, I would much rather be that man and be happy in my running than sprinting round trying to get that time and being miserable because I didn’t achieve the time I want. For me every race I complete is a victory, when I think of where I was two years ago, overweight and out of shape.