What exactly is that?
That is my wrist with NO GARMIN! That's right, I went out for a run naked this morning! Last month I took the Cross-training challenge and the month of May brings a new challenge. The month of May I will be participating in OliveToRun's Run Free for Me May Challenge. This is a fantastic challenge for me because I can be very focused on my pace, my distance, and PR's at times. This challenge will give me a chance to just focus on just the run and why I love running so much! It's also a great way to add a 4th run into my week without the pressure of worrying how far or how fast.
So this morning I threw on my running clothes and shoes and grabbed my phone for some music. It was kind of strange and new to not worry about my pace or distance! I admit to looking at my wrist a few times. I was in my head a couple times, telling myself not to think about how far I had gone (I can tell pretty much how far a mile in my town is now after running this area so much). After a while though, I just focused on my form and the sun coming up around me. It was gorgeous. Obviously I didn't have my good camera with me, but I stopped for a couple shots of the sunrise with my phone. It was nice not to have to fret over how long I had stopped or pausing the Garmin.
What a joy it was to just relax and take in the beautiful morning! I think this challenge will really keep me in touch with why I run. It's not just about the numbers, it's about how running makes me feel!
I admit, it was hard not to log something on my dailymile when I got home, but I don't have to know exactly how many miles I run in a month, do I? I know I ran, I know it felt awesome...that's what matters!
Have you ever run without keeping track? What do you think of a challenge like this, do you think you could do it?
Great idea Karen! I think I may do this for a run each month!
ReplyDeleteIt really was a nice departure from the norm of counting and pacing! :)
DeleteI'm so excited you're participating!! LOVED the post!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you organized it! Fantastic challenge!
DeleteI do keep track because I want to know my totals for each month and the whole year, but I use my phone, and I like to stuff it somewhere in the stroller where I can't see or hear it sometimes, so I don't focus on it or know until the end how far or fast. It's sometimes nice not hearing my pace every half mile and just enjoying the run :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm loving your blog and I'll be looking for you in February! I had the Princess Half as a goal for a few years before I made it too. I didn't make it for 2011 for some reason. So I said it would be 2012. Of course I got pregnant immediately after making that goal. Since I was due in January, I knew I wouldn't be running it in February. 2013 was my year and hopefully 2014 too, because it is just that fun!
Thanks and I'm so glad you posted, I hadn't found your blog and now I saved it with my other blogs on Bloglovin! I'm excited to go back and see if you wrote up your 2014 PHM recap! Off to explore your blog!
DeleteIsn't it so freeing to run without your Garmin? At first I'm a bit OCD and feel weird about it not being there, but then I get in a groove and forget. Listening to your body and letting it do what it wants, it's fun to break out of the Garmin box now and again! Great pics!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lena!
DeleteI'm participating in the challenge, too! I even ran a new route today to shake things up...but I will NOT be running that route again. It was a little bit scary... Good luck with the challenge!!
ReplyDeleteUgh, sorry you ended up with a scary route! I ran a different route as well, I just basically went wherever I wanted! Since I didn't have to calculate how many miles, it felt freeing to just run wherever I wanted!
DeleteStay away from the scary routes Rachel!! But keep running free ;)
DeleteI found out just yesterday that if I put my phone away and stop looking at it, I have a better, more relaxed run. Definitely going to try it again!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I'm looking forward to it again as well next week.
DeleteInteresting. It feels like Lisa without technology at WDW.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
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