I walk almost everyday!
I run three-four days a week. If I have a marathon coming up, I increase it to five days a week.
My Fitbit keeps me updated on my readiness levels and sleep score & I adapt my run/ workouts accordingly.
It doesn’t matter how regularly I run or how long I run, the beginning, middle and end of every run is the same for me.
I read somewhere that running is a reflection of your mindset, so I am sharing my running process here for the universe and its dwellers to tell me if this is just a ‘me’ thing or if it is a universal experience:
My Running Stages
The Beginning
Running, to me, is a lot like meditation. The first few minutes are always painfully dull. My body resists this forced flight-or-fight situation—it doesn’t know what I’m running from, only that I’ve suddenly decided to revert to some primal, fight or flight stimulus.
The Middle
Eventually, things settle down as the upbeat music pumping through my ears convinces my body this is just for fun—a “fun run,” if you will. This is the most enjoyable part of the run, a solid 30 minutes when my mind and body are lulled into a rhythm by the treachery of neurotransmitters.
But soon enough, the law of diminishing returns kicks in. My body begins to sense that something’s up, and the mind reminds me I’m not exactly a glutton for punishment. Now, around the 45-minute mark, my legs ache, my heart burns, and my mind tempts me with images of my cozy bed. The battle between willpower and exhaustion begins.
The End
But I refuse to quit. Eyes closed, head shaking, I cross my favorite tree and take a long breath, clearing my lungs and my doubts. My pace quickens—like a candle flaring up before it’s blown out. I finish the lap, triumphant, only to park myself onto the nearest bench, while resolving to run a little longer the next time.
Now tell me, dear readers, if this is just a ‘me’ thing or if it resonates with others?
Fingers in symphony 