Careless Running

What I really mean, is care-free running. But if we care less about always hitting running targets, we can really enjoy what we are doing. Running. I hit a bit of a slump post OCC. Still running, but without so much ambition- your running life just isn't the same when you are clocking milege without such an end goal. For months I had been used to checking the garmin, working out the distance, focusing on difference speeds / hours for endurance etc. Always calculating, always pushing, frequently disappointed in myself. Hated ever daring to stop mid runs to just spare a moment to take even a quick snap of an amazing panaromic view, sunset etc.

With the race gone, that attitude remained, just without the race. But it was making me not go out as much. Don't get me wrong - I still loved running...but is it possible to sometimes forget why we do it? I recently went out for a short jog. No watch. No MapMyRun. No music. I had no agenda, I just wanted to head out - I just felt like running. Sometimes admittedly at points during training this year,  such a notion - the sporadic run - would have astonished me. What would be the point if it wasn't directed towards a goal? Running for runnings sake?

Yet that is the reason that I loved running in the first place.

I really encourage you, whatever running plan you are on, or big goal ahead, to just go out, and just run.

So every once in a while, just put the trainers on and see where your feet take you. It doesn't matter how fast you go. Whether you stop to just take in the view. Cover 1 mile, cover 100.  Having goals, challenges and aims makes us determined, and is a huge part of running. But running, because running itself is one of the best feelings on earth? Well that will always win over by PB reading, every time.