Recovery runs are supposed to be slow runs undertaken within 24 hours after a harder run. The purpose is to facilitate recovery from preceding hard training.
I have started on recovery runs before...only to end up running faster than originally planned and feeling sore. The competitive spirit in me finds it difficult to maintain a slow pace throughout a run.
I don't think I can call today's 6-mile run as a recovery run, because I had 2 days off from running after the long run on Tuesday (and only did a mild swim workout on Wednesday). It sure felt like one though, due to the mild aches and pains accumulating over the last couple of weeks. I was determined to keep it really slow throughout, about a minute a mile slower than my usual easy runs. At one point, I found myself stifling an enormous yawn; a few minutes later, I tripped on a clump of grass, and realized I had almost dozed off. The mid-morning heat added to the feeling of lethargy.
During the last few miles however, my knees felt less stiff than they had been for a while, my muscles relaxed. I realized how much I had pushed my body over the last few months and how well it had responded under the circumstances. From 10-20 mpw to 30-40 mpw...plus the swimming/cycling and strength training. Through this process, I have gained a new appreciation for my body. In spite of minimal maintenance (I am erratic with my knee, achilles, hip and back stretches), this engine has been chugging along gamely, trying to keep pace with my expectations. Granted, it is not anywhere in the vicinity of the tough and rugged bodies of triathletes, ultramarathoners or elite athletes, but it's been faithfully pulling my weight over the last 3 and a half decades.
Today's pseudo recovery run may have just been a psychological boost (there are mixed views to the benefits of recovery runs), but I promise to pay more attention in the future toward the upkeep of this loyal machine.
About Me
- I Run for Fun
- I grew up in a small town in South India. Sports was the only way for me to spread my wings and see a bit of the world - a world comprising neighboring towns and cities. My athletic prowess, unfortunately did not take me beyond the state level. After graduating from college and moving away from home, running faded into the background, resuscitated by the occasional jog in the park and nudges by my father, a compulsive runner. Then, I joined DH in the US. DH in his hey-day was a sprinter par excellence. But starchy foods and a sedentary lifestyle were equally appealing to him, and introduced to this way of life, I happily adapted. Needless to say, my waistline quickly adapted too, which my brutally honest siblings never hesitated to point out. I started a run/walk routine 2-3 days a week. Coaxed by a colleague, I completed my first 5K race, which gave me what I recognized as a runners' high. For the first time in my life, I raced for the sheer pleasure of running. I was hooked! Now, 3 1/2 years and several races (5K to marathon) later, I still enjoy running and the reason, I believe, is because I RUN FOR FUN.
No comments:
Post a Comment