If I had to describe Summer in so many words it would have to be: running, sunshine, outdoors, travel, beach, books, and adventure. I could live a thousands Summers and they’d never get old. There are just too many places to run, travel, and explore and one can ever have too many beach trips or read too many books. Since the weather has been so iffy for a while already, I’ve been trying to maximize these sort of cooler days to get some early runs in, nothing crazy, as I’m off the clock – so to speak – I’m on break! And so excited to return to a time when runs were easy and fun and took you anywhere – no strings attached. That, my friends, is the life! My life for the next five weeks anyhow. Let the good times/runs begin!
They say the best things happen when you don’t plan, so I’m making a studied effort to remain plans-less and let the chips fall where they may. Sadly, these five weeks will go by too quickly, but I’ll try to focus on the things within my control, which by the way, is nothing really. Be that as it may, I’m running whenever it’s cool and conducive to do so. That means away with the midday runs and hello early mornings and late evenings! Yesterday and last weekend saw me strapped up and out the door by 6:15am and still the sun was already out, not as high as later on when I was done, but it was surely out and about before I was. This, I’ve decided that if I persist with these weekend runs throughout the summer, it’ll have to be around 5am. I certainly love running as the world is just awakening and the sun is rising so it’ll be well worth the sacrifice to get up earlier.
As I write this, I’m thinking of my not-so-random 10 mile jaunt yesterday. It sure is easy to talk about making no plans, but the routine animal in me is a sucker for a schedule and so I sorta did plan my route. However, I’m hoping that with no training plans breathing down my neck, I can be a bit more spontaneous with very minor, and only when necessary, advance planning. To this end, while some of my friends have been talking about races, I’ve intentionally made no such plans and will leave it open as to whether I want to jump into a 5K, or 10K, or even a fun run in the next few weeks. Spartan or Rugged Maniac anyone? Keep in mind it’s Summer and yours truly is truly oppose to running in the heat, so it’ll take some convincing and a good reason to do so. On the other hand, adventure is totally a good reason. Just saying.
I’d like to encourage you though. Don’t let my reasoning keep you back from getting out there and doing your running thing. In fact, what would summertime be like to a runner without a bit of friendly competition, so bring on the races! There’s a lot of exciting running going on this Summer here in the Big A and in other states across the country. Find yourself something fun, something different, and exciting even if you have to cross state lines to do so; In fact you should make it a point to cross a few of those lines and go have yourself a summer adventure to rival past summers.
runningwithfaith 