I flipped a few things around in my calendar this morning to get my run in first. I want to prioritize running while the weather is pleasant and before I have to get up even earlier to beat the heat. There’s a lot of mileage to cover in the months ahead.
Sometimes, I want to be free of my watch and the routine.
Sometimes, I want to feel free from the confines of training and shake my legs out. I want to remind myself what ‘going out for a run’ feels like without the pace, heart rate and intervals pestering me.
So, I left without a plan. Listening to my body: What do I need? What can I do? A little faster, slower, or can I go a little further?
My run felt joyful.
It felt free, like when I started running—that honeymoon phase before my goals and expectations started to overtake what was already rewarding.
I forgot that I’d simply set out to run that first day in my ratty sneakers, hiking shorts, and faded film festival t-shirt. I had no expectations, no gear, just a desire to move faster, raise my heart rate, and test my ability to run ‘at my age’.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was exhilarating.
Of course, it was before I acquired ‘technical tees,’ GPS watches, electrolyte drinks, spandex leggings and races. Only the trees, sunshine and birds — the best cheering section — witnessed my tentative first steps through the early morning streets of Toronto.
I want to reach into that feeling again… before I ramp up my training.
Before a nature trail becomes a training route… I’ll breathe in nature’s oxygenating trees’. I’ll appreciate her expanse of colour and texture. I’ll acknowledge her loving canopy, offering me shelter from the elements.
Before I listen to my watch’s many alerts… I’ll listen to the breeze twirling the aspen leaves and the birds hitting the high notes of today’s spontaneous aria.
Before I program my workout… I’ll attune to my body’s metronome, my heart. I’ll listen to the singular rhythm of my steady footfalls and breath soundtrack.
Before Spring is finished… I will enjoy the cool air of this all-too-brief season.
Before I miss more sunrises or cool, dry mornings, I’ll get out the door and celebrate this perfect running weather.
I’ll insert a few more of these ‘honeymoon runs’ into my weekly routine to remind me why I fell in love with this sport and what it gives me.
I hope you take a moment today to walk outside and greet the sun.
I love the concept of honeymoon runs. You captured the beauty of being in nature, listening to your body, and the joy of being alive on this magnificent planet. Great writing!
A wonderful essay on what running means to you, Linda. The combination of being attuned to your body’s response, to Nature’s role - both for succor as well as torment - and the equipment of a striving runner added beats to my heart rate! I hope cool Spring days abound.