On Running…

First and foremost, thank you for your input on my poll last week. Here are the results….

I was curious about who was wearing what shoe after switching to the Mizuno lightweight trainer. I’m happy to report, I’ve logged a few miles and enjoy the way they feel on my feet! So far, so good!

In addition to the lightweight trainers, I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in Mizuno’s Mezamashii Project:

The Mezamashii Run Project is an effort by Mizuno to help create a more euphoric running experience — a more “brilliant” run — for more runners everywhere. The word “mezamashii” means “eye-opening” or “brilliant” in Japanese — it’s a word that captures the euphoric feeling of a brilliant run.

The Mezamashii community will continue to receive brilliant run inspiration from Mizuno in the form of early access to product launches and other exclusive Mizuno events. Over the course of the remainder of the year, Mizuno will give away thousands of shoes to runners who are looking to experience more euphoric, brilliant, mezamashii running.

(From the Mizuno Running News site)

I picked out Wave Rider 15′s and received them in the mail just a few days ago and I love, love, LOVE them!

A quick spin on the treadmill.

Now…. how do these new shoes align with my running goals?

Honestly?

I’m not planning on running any big races anytime soon. After dropping from the Twin Cities Marathon, I took a long, hard look at running races and my strengths and weaknesses. And without going into too many details, the weaknesses outweighed the strengths by about 10-to-1. I don’t enjoy running races, I’m self-conscious about my size and being in public to train, I feel like I’m not fast enough, and I honestly don’t have fun while I do it. I get anxious, stressed and worried about races (despite my positive attitude) … and right now, it’s not the right thing for me.

Working through the Whole30 challenge has allowed me the flexibility and freedom to discover what I really love – eating whole foods; Being in tune with my hunger cues and listening to my body. It also relates to exercise… If I am miserable and I absolutely hate doing it, then I am not likely to continue. The challenge (and the success) has come in finding things I enjoy doing – running (for fun!), biking, yoga, classes at the gym, and walks with friends.

The purpose of the Mezamashii Run Project is to create a more “brilliant” and “euphoric” run – and for me, that means running to enjoy it – without the pressure of a looming race; without the constant comparisons of pace and time and distance; without the stress of how I look or how other people might see me. I’m using this as an opportunity to focus on ME – my running, my experience, and my successes.

I know I eventually want to run more races – I want to be a really great running. But for me, for right now, it’s about enjoying what I’m doing – being happy, healthy and active in a way that brings me joy.This entry was posted on September 25th, 2012 at 8:12 am and is filed under Twelve In Twelve. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.