This past week included a mix of runs in New York, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. Mid-week I’d lost track of where I had run and how much I had run. My runs were equally “confused:” track, treadmill, trail, dirt and paved road. I was all over the place; I think I still am a bit scattered. Not ready for summer to end. Not ready to say goodbye…on so many different levels. This weekend we were in Pennsylvania to say goodbye to my grandfather-an amazing man. I admire him more than I can express and loved him deeply.
For me this week running took on a different significance. It wasn’t about the miles or the workouts. It was about the movement and the way that running often leads me to a place of reflection. Here are my runs last week:
Monday: off, Cross Train/PT
Tuesday: Easy four miles in the Adirondacks. Easy paced, my knee/calf was feeling a bit cranky at the end.
Wednesday: Track workout. I was a bit worried about my calf going into the workout, but I KT taped my calf/knee and wore my ProCompression Calf Sleeves and everything seemed fine. One mile warm up on the track. 6×600 with 200m recovery jog. Felt really strong and smooth on each interval. 2:13; 2:11; 2:09; 2:09; 2:07; 2:06. One mile cool down on the track. Normally I would run a cool down in the woods, but I’m trying to keep to flat and even terrain so I opted for the track warm up and cool down.
Thursday: 2 miles on the treadmill in the morning. It was supposed to be four, but I was just so tired. Cut it short and then finished the day with four more miles on the treadmill in the evening. In between those runs I had the chance to meet up with Christine of LoveLifeSurf.com who was vacationing in Maine with her family. I love her blog and it was so great to finally meet her!
Christine and I on Wells Beach in Maine.
Friday: 3 miles on the hotel treadmill in Pennsylvania. I wanted to run in the morning before we left for PA for my grandfather’s funeral but Jack was up with a nightmare and took several hours to settle down. I just couldn’t get myself up. So I settled for treadmill miles after a seven hour car ride with two kids who did not want to be in the car.
Saturday: 5 miles along Monocacy Creek trail in Bethlehem, PA with my Dad. Probably one of the most meaningful runs I’ve ever run, sharing memories of my grandfather with my Dad as we ran through the rain towards downtown Bethlehem. Our conversation and time together is a memory I will hold in my heart forever.
Monocacy Creek Park in Bethlehem, PA.
Sunday: 2-3 miles back at home. No watch, just running with my thoughts.
This week I feel grateful that running is more than just running. It can bring us together. Help us remember. Help us process. There’s something about physical exertion of running that can help us experience life more fully. To feel with our whole body. Engage every aspect of our mind…be more present.
What is running to you?
–Sarah
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Oh I am so glad to read this and be surprised. When I saw the title I thought you were going to say that you realized it was too much, like an obsession, as I have been there. When I will in college, and began to collect my All Americans, I became obsessed with it. Every moment was about running, and how I could be better, get more trophies. My unhealthy relationship DID lead to a big injury, and my world fell apart.
I am so happy I was wrong with my initial opinion of your post; that you realize how important it is to you, how it makes you feel, what it does for you, but you are still living your life! Which is great! Your calf seems to be responding well, and hopefully it continues to move forward 🙂
Running was an obsession for me at one point, but it was more about loosing weight. Now it’s when I feel most fully alive (that or I want to die cause it’s so hard haha).
I am sorry to hear about your grandpa Sarah. But I love hearing how you run with your dad. That is so special.
Thanks Tara. It was really meaningful and a good way to remember my grandpa.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. I, too, am grateful for running as a way to remember and process.
Thank you Kristin. I think is so amazing that running can be so many things.
I’m so sorry for your loss. For me, running is a way to channel my energy and a way to spend time with friends!
Thanks Jen. I love how running can be so many different thing so us at different times in our lives.
HUGS HUGS HUGS!! I love that you and Christina got to meet!!! So awesome!
Hanging out with you at the beach was one of the highlights of my week! I’m so happy that we were able to hang out in person. I’m so glad that you have running and that you were able to share some good runs with your Dad and to remember your Grandfather. xo
Thank you Christine. I really enjoyed our time too!
I’m so sorry about your loss. It’s great that you got to enjoy that run with your Dad. It’s always amazing how simple things can turn into lifelong memories.
Thanks Sam, and your right the simplest thing do often turn into the best memories.
So sorry about your loss, but it seems like you and your Dad had a good time remembering your grandfather on your run. Simple memories like that are always special. It’s so great how running can be so many things, and different for each person.
You’re right Amanda, running can be so many different things to different people. It’s so great.
Glad running has helped you through a tough time. Thinking of you and your family. Running has been a stress outlet for me lately. I’m a teacher, so we’re about 3 weeks into school. It’s been HARD to find the time to get my runs in (a lot harder than in the summer!), but I find that when I do, I feel so much better about life and work.