I have received some questions based on my half
marathon post.
They wanted to know why I was so focused on completing it in a certain
time when I preach Running Without a Watch.
Let me clarify. I am not against running with a
watch. A watch is a very useful
tool, fitting in
the same category as an IPOD, Nike +, or google maps. But like any tool, it
must be handled with care.
I started Running Without a Watch to get
my running back on track. I used to be
so focused on time that whenever I went out for a run and ran too slowly, I didn’t enjoy myself. It almost reached the
point where I started to hate running. Every few minutes I would glance at my watch
to check my pace. My running became inconsistent and I started
to gain weight again. I knew I needed to
find a way to enjoy running again before I gained another 10-15 pounds. I needed to act
fast.
It all changed one
day during a particularly difficult run when I had to
stop in the middle and walk. I looked
at my watch and it said 20 minutes. That was the moment I knew something had to give. I couldn’t continue this cycle of frustration
and disappointment any longer. The very
next day, I cast the watch aside and reclaimed my love of running. It no longer mattered if I ran an
eight minute mile or an eleven minute mile.
What mattered is that I completed my run. Running Without a Watch has relieved me of the unnecessary pressure that I
felt each run had to be at maximum effort.
It is one week shy of my one year anniversary of Running
Without a Watch. I have made it
through the cold winter, hot summer, time off due to an injury, the birth of a new baby, and the death of a beloved pet. I am
running faster, farther and freer than ever.
I look forward to another exciting year of Running
Without a Watch.
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