This is actually hard. Really hard.
The first few runs after my running sabbatical were easy and fun and I thought it would be easy to just go and work my way back up to real mileage.
Read more: the 5 lessons I learned from my running sabbatical.
But it’s not easy!
I am having a tough time getting back into a running routine. Most of the time, but specially on weekends, I am very aware of my trade-offs:
- sleep in or get up early to run
- meet friends for coffee or run
- go out on a photo shoot day or meet running buddies
Now that I have rediscovered my other hobbies and my non-running friends, the choices have become tougher to make. But I know, somehow I can figure ithis out.
1. Walking
One of the changes that I made was walking instead of running.
I was surprised to see how fast my endurance declined during the running sabbatical. Years of training and then I take a few months off and all is gone? So I started walking. Now I really enjoy it and it gives me a pretty good work-out too. I am not window-shopping or strolling. I try to get to a reasonably fast walking pace.
2. Challenges
I started 2 challenges. One is with myself. it’s a 10,000 steps-a-day challenge with my Vivofit. It’s actually harder to do every day than I first thought. Most evenings after work I will need to put on my running shoes and add a few thousand steps to get to my goal. I find it a fun way of keeping moving every day. The other challenge I joined is #earthathon. Read more on #earthathon.
3. Run or Walk with the team
I joined my Team in Training team for a run a couple of weeks ago and am planning to do so again this weekend. Well, to be precise I walked, but I walked 5 miles and it kicked my butt. Just having your running buddies around you makes a huge difference and makes it fun again to be out and about.
Read more: Why I run with Team in Training.
So these 3 things help me stay on the walking/running trail and then of course I have the actual trail and this one is beautiful enough to walk daily.
