NOT running... the days without

Often the blogs/ websites or magazines about running talk relentlessly about the experience of running itself but seldomly mention the non-running experience. Effectively, running only keeps the body active during at most a few hours a day, and , even then, probably not on a daily basis for all of us. So what about the non running times and aren t these also part of the running experience?

To the true runner, the one that builds up his schedule around his running targets, who respects a training pan and subscribes to running events regularly, the non-running experience is a mix of well deserved relaxing time and frustration. I could split those times in 2 main categories : willing non running time and non-willing.

1. Of course the willing time applies to those days when you feel too lazy, or the weather puts you off, or more positively, those days you decided to rest as you follow a thouroughly established training plan. You find good and bad in those days. Lazyness will make it harder the next day you train as you just put off a valuable training session, and will need more motivation for the next step. But it may also be a deeper expression of your body showing signs of fatigue, in which case a day off might just be what you needed. If the weather is the cause of the trouble, it can be very frustrating as the motivation is there but elements make it not-enjoyable or not feasible. As a matter of fact, most runners will then adopt a more flexible approach and most probably go for a cross-training session in this case. The most rewarding times of running are however in those anticipated days of rest , where time is given to more soothing and relaxing options like stralls/ far niente/health clubs ... in fact those are the times when the body builds up on its own stamina , not physically but mentally and emotionally. This is the time you may indulge yourself , take time, relax ...savour the moment and compliment yourself on the achievement so far.  Everyone one needs that.
2. On the other hand, the non willing moments are most probably the most frustrating and require a good dosis of self control and organisation to cope with. Those moments are the unpredictable phone calls from work that have you cancel your session, your forgotten buddies' anniversary due that is due tomorrow evening and needs you to go shopping tonight , or even worse, the injury.  Running becomes part of one's life quite easily with a bit of discipline but also becomes a sort of addiction, no matter your level, as anything that stands in the way of your regular "sport" intake can be excessively irritating and stressful , notwithstanding the consequences on your future schedule as you want to postpone this training session instead of skipping it. Adding to this, the possible increased of sessions on the follow (to catch up on lost time) can easily add physical strain to emotional stress. Now, of course, on the long run, those are events that one learns to cope with and work around as experience kicks in !

Running is a personal experience at every level, and each of us lives it to different levels and intensity. Perharps are you very motivated by your days off ? or do you give up on the whole week training after a minor glitch ? Or, maybe, did you work all this around by simply...letting your body tell you when it feels lie running ..and ...like me...just grab your shoes whenever the time comes ...and just run...free :)

Comments welcome!