• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Run The Long Road Coaching

personalized coaching for distance runners

  • Philosophy
  • Services
    • Policies
  • Shop
  • Success Stories
  • FAQs
  • Meet Kristy
  • Contact
  • FaceBook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

go with the flow

January 21, 2013 by Kristy 13 Comments

I didn’t feel like doing a long run on Saturday.

I stood in my kitchen and seriously considered going back to bed or lounging in front of the TV.  The “feels like” temp was 23 degrees.  I’m quasi-training.  It doesn’t matter if I skip a long run.  Especially since I ran 15-milers the past 2 weekends.

But then regret sets in.  You know the feeling.  That nagging you-should-have-run feeling that will eat at you all day long.  Knowing that I would never regret getting my ass out the door, I got dressed and decided on 10 miles (impromptu drop back week).

I started out slowly.

M1 – 9:12
M2 – 8:52
M3 – 10:21 (I felt dizzy for whatever reason and walked for a bit)
M4 – 9:04
M5 – 9:00

I was doing an out-and-back on a trail.  After I turned around an older man (50s?) started running beside me and asked me what I was training for.

I knew this guy.  We used to work together (not together 1:1 but together on a much larger team setting).  He was higher up the totem pole than me so I knew he didn’t recognize me.  The funny thing is I see him on this trail almost every weekend.  To discourage you from thinking I’m a total stalker I have to add that there are a few distinct places to run here in Philly.  Run in any particular spot long enough and you will definitely recognize people.

We start running together.  I explain my quasi-training.  He tells me about his upcoming marathon.  We start picking up the pace.  This is so not what I had in mind for my 10-miler (remember…I wanted to stay in bed).  I wanted an easy run.  But there was no way in hell I was backing off or even glancing at my Garmin (a sure sign of weakness).  I just went with the flow.

After a mile or 2 of conversation, I finally introduce myself and explain that we used to work together way back when.  This leads to work talk which quickly (very quickly) goes back to running talk.

The final 5 miles.

M6 – 8:35
M7 – 8:03
M8 – 8:01
M9 – 8:17
M10 – 8:35

It felt good to pick it up a bit and force myself to go faster.

And to think I wanted to skip this run?!

Does regret work for you?  What motivates you to run in the winter?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: long run, trail running, winter running

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen @ Margarita Runner says

    January 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    Way to go! I had the same feeling on Saturday. All I wanted to do was lay around the house and watch TV. It’s awesome that you overcame that common feeling and had a badass run!

    Reply
  2. Running LIbrarian says

    January 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    That’s a great not wanting to run run! Sometimes it really is fun when you meet a total stranger and they help you finish a better run than you would have completed on your own. Way to go!

    Reply
  3. Alyssa says

    January 21, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Haha nice were you able to explain that you knew him without seeming creepy? I have the same problem where I just hate the thought of getting out the door but know I will be so pissed at myself all day if I don’t do it. Trying to avoid that regret is sometimes my only motivator! Having the training plan on the fridge helps too.

    Reply
  4. Runner Dad says

    January 21, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    Great second half! Having a set training plan and set goal for the Spring is getting me through cold running. Though, with temps in the mid to lower 20s all week we’ll see how motivated I stay!

    Reply
  5. Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel says

    January 21, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    You didn’t mention your speed demon prowess on Saturday’s run! Sounds much more exciting than my treadmill date with Glee 🙂

    Reply
  6. Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchen says

    January 21, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    What a great story! Yes! Knowing I’ll regret not running is a HUGE motivator to get my butt up in the morning or get me out the door….sometimes it’s the only thing responsible for me having my run 🙂

    Reply
  7. Katie says

    January 22, 2013 at 10:47 am

    That’s awesome! I totally use regret as a motivator, too. Someone once said to me, years ago, “you never regret going for a run.” And it is so, SO true. I never consider it time wasted.

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    January 22, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    that’s so awesome! I love running with people to get an extra push sometimes. I always know I’ll feel better after a run, and usually don’t give myself time to think otherwise before heading out in the morning, which I think is a good trick. Also, in the winter it’s never as cold/bad as you think!

    Reply
  9. Kara says

    January 22, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Wow, way to get some serious negative splits!

    Reply
  10. Terzah says

    January 22, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Regret totally works for me! And so does running with faster people. Great run, Kristy!

    Reply
  11. Trotting Tortoise says

    January 22, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    I LOVE running in the winter! I like getting all bundled up and then sometimes pretending I’m Rocky in Rocky IV in my head. Try it – it works, I swear.

    Also – thought of your quote from one of your race recaps “sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you” this weekend. Let’s just say it was a serious mauling, but I chuckled when I thought of it :-{

    Reply
  12. Mandy says

    January 23, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Wow! What a great almost-not-run!

    I keep forgetting you’re in Philly…I should pester you with questions about that marathon. 😛

    Reply
  13. Meggie says

    January 23, 2013 at 10:48 pm

    Yes, I’d say regret plays some role. I know usually that if the circumstances were different I’d get out there and run. One weird thing that works for me is that I remind myself that people go skiing and pay lots of money to be out in the cold! I will be ok, just layer up, and get out there before I change my mind.

    But, yes, a few times this week I have wanted to not go outside to run! If temps continue next week, might sub one run for a spin to mix it up and stay warm!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© 2023 · Developed by JX2 Development.