I joined thousands of walkers, strollers, cyclists, skaters & runners who were out & about yesterday enjoying a superb Sunday afternoon. For me it was my longer Sunday run, an easy & relaxed amble along the foreshore from Elwood to Hampton and back. As i usually do when I run, it got me thinking, what does this Sunday run mean to me?
For me, it's the start of getting back into regular weekend runs, this being my third consecutive run as I start to string together some consistency and getting some mileage back in the legs. Now that our second boy, Sonny has just turned 6 months, runs have been less than regular since my last race which was the City 2 Surf in Sydney way back in August last year, which i snuck in before his arrival in September.
Whilst this was not a programmed run as such, there is still always a training effect so it pays to give some attention to what you want to get out of the run. Having said that I'm all for a relaxed run with no great expectations, but for me there are two main factors present. Every run demands you Run Well, with good form regardless of pace thus building a stronger neuromuscular connection within your running muscles & movements - Smooth, Light & Easy. This along with a focus on keeping my cadence ticking along nicely is all I'm really aiming for. As for pace, I made sure I was travelling nicely within my aerobic zone, steady paced so as to be within my aerobic threshold.
Whilst I am not running to any program right now, I am aware that my 20 week Marathon Training program is still some time away (about 9 weeks). Until then it's just a case of running regularly, running well & building some aerobic fitness along the way, which is a most fortunately unavoidable!
Most importantly, like most of those around me it's nice to just simply be able to get out & enjoy the run, the sun and the scenery and not have to think about my program for now.
A timely reminder to make the most of these great afternoons whilst they're still with us, and enjoy the freedom of whatever it is you're doing , just for the sake of it.
