At the start of this year and this blog, I had jumped back into the fitness game. Then my work hours changed and the momentum that I'd built vanished. I hadn't given up on it but I needed to reevaluate what was going on in my schedule and reconfigure things.
For the record, I'm routine based. Changes to that, depending on the nature of the changes, can throw me off track for a while.
Hence, now, my work schedule has been altered again. Which brings me back to a more favorable schedule.
I haven't been inactive since my "break" but it's be mostly limited to Saturdays when I'm out with the kids. Our Saturdays involve a minimum of 1.5 hours of walking for me and running/walking for my son. Typically, we are moving about for 2.5 hours. But that is only one day a week and not enough for me.
So, I started thinking. When I think of myself in terms of exercise, when did I feel at my best and most capable? Running. There was a time when I could run at 12 minute mile pace for what felt like forever. I'd reach a zone and just go. It was consistent and relaxing for me. I also felt like I was amazing because I'd reached that point.
When this year started I focused on strength training because, in all honesty, strength training is the "most bang for your buck" in terms of exercise - particularly with free and body weight. However, while I enjoyed feeling stronger, it didn't get to the same point that running did, the point where I just wanted to go.
One of the biggest things about any type of exercise is that if it feels like a chore, you are less likely to succeed. There are always opportunities for excuses especially if it is something you really don't want to do. However, an exercise you enjoy - soccer, dancing, weightlifting, etc. - you will go back to it over and over again because it isn't a chore.
I thought about that in terms of my own situation and realized while I like strength training, I didn't love it and wouldn't miss it. I miss running. I miss being able to hit my pace and not gasping at air. I missed feeling awesome when I went a little bit further and little bit faster than the day before. Those were success I could count on and feel every single time. When I ran, I never stopped improving and never stopped pushing. Running, I have realized, is my exercise of choice.
Now it is time for me to pursue running again and I'm excited. I'm looking forward to hitting the treadmill. I'm thinking I might set mileage goals just for fun, once I get more established.
Right now, I might only do one day during the week to get started and back into the swing. I need to rebuild a habit I lost and slow changes work best for me. This week, tomorrow actually, will be my first day back on the treadmill. I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to becoming a faster me. Again.
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