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December 18, 2005
Treading
Didn't imagine this post would be all about running, sorry if it bores anyone. The thing is that in order to write more I need to write about things that I think about on a daily basis. And running is one of those things. Feel free to wait for something more interesting to you while I ramble on:
Got up late again this Sunday but still managed my bike ride. It was frosty and very cold this morning. We are back to winter temps. On a trail passed a man on a white horse in Putney Heath, had coffee at the usual place where people were wrapping gifts at the tables, came home along the river where I cycled past boat houses full of people dressed in tights and flip flops relaxing after a morning of rowing. Thankfully when I got home my toes were not too frozen (I can't imagine how those people in the flip flops fared.) Made some blueberry pancakes for lunch.
Yesterday I went for a run in the cold afternoon. Its so hard to get outside in the mornings because of the chill. I have to remind myself that last December I didn’t have the luxury of running at all, and I should take advantage of the crispy air. I actually prefer running in below zero temps than pretty much anything warmer than 60F. Running outside in the summer is all about carrying tons of fluids and trying not to pass out from the heat. The sun stings your eyes as does the tons of sunblock you need to rub into your skin. Running in the winter is about enjoying the fresh air in your lungs, the clear skies and the empty paths. People who run indoors on treadmills are really missing out. Personally I loathe running on a treadmill. I don’t know why but I must be the only person that runs slower on a treadmill than outside. I find it hard to relax, the movement doesn’t feel natural at all to me. I don't think a person's stride is exactly the same speed constantly, and unlike other machines you don't get much leeway to adjust, you have to keep going or get thrown off. When I'm at the gym every other machine is fair game, (even the damn the treadmill if I'm walking on an incline.) But as a runner I find it a bit embarrassing that I hate those stupid things. Thankfully I don't live in an extreme environment where it would be necessary. There isn't much weather that I won't run in. It's one of the pleasures of running, being outside in all kinds of conditions.
Crazy runner in Minsk. I usally opt for some more appropriate winter gear in the snow, but the snow won't stop me just like it didn't stop this dude. (Photo from AP/Yahoo news last year that I just had to save.)
Speaking of constant stride, recently I seem to be hitting the same mile at exactly the same speed consistently. Does that mean within that mile I am running at the same pace? Probably not, its just an average worked out over that distance. I have been using it as a way to measure my relaxed pace. I am very pleased that I have increased by speed considerably without any extra effort by working on my form. I can now comfortably run 9-minute miles at what feels like an easy pace. That is a whole minute a mile improvement! Although I am not following it to the letter, the Pose Method of running has taught me a lot. Its funny because when I began running over 16 years ago, I was probably running more efficiently than after reading about and adjusting my form over the years to fit various theories from different runners. I used to do things like concentrate on my arm swing (which is stupid, pumping your arms doesn’t make you go any faster. I'm sure it gets your heart rate up though.) posture (you don't want to be straight up and down, you want to be leaning forward,) or footfalls (do not land on your heel and roll through). I'm nowhere near having perfect Pose Method form, but just having a different perspective on running has really improved my speed. I found the whole Pose thing a bit cult-ish at first, but its hard to argue with the time improvements I have experienced. I wonder how fast I could go if I really got serious. Can't really think about that right now though, I'm just trying to concentrate on getting back into shape. Speed can wait.
Posted by shannon at December 18, 2005 05:43 PM