Workout Wednesday: Running like the wind

I wish I could start this by telling you that the subject line is based on my incredibly fast pace as of late. Or that whenever I run I feel like the wind is at my back just easily and breezily pushing me along. That running on the treadmill all winter long has not affected my ability to adjust to running outside again.

It’s not. I don’t. It hasn’t.

Truth is my runs outside have really sucked lately. Yes, the first mile normally feels heavy, but do you ever have those runs where your legs just never lighten up? Your lungs don’t expand properly and you feel like a large serving of mint chocolate trifle is just sitting in your stomach preparing to give you a cramp at any moment?

I do. And while that last part is totally self-induced, what kind of cook would I be if I didn’t intensely evaluate my product? (Leanne if you are reading this, I’m sorry for eating your serving and owe you a mint chocolate trifle).

It was windy yesterday for my run. It was also over 40 degrees. So for the first time all year, I was actually able to run outside without my running vest.

Even better, it was still light out when I finished my run. This seems like the perfect time to proclaim the “A-word” but my nephew informed me that it is off-limits during Lent. Leave it to a 7 year-old to school me on the ways of Catholicism.

High-five daylight savings time.

Back in middle school track, our coach used to hook a parachute up to our waists and make us sprint against the wind. In volleyball, we would reign each other in with resistance bands to improve our explosive movements. It’s common knowledge that resistance builds speed and muscle.

So in an effort to eventually run like the wind, I decided to take advantage of the 30 mph gusts and run against it.

My yoga teacher said something that stuck with me the other day in class.

Just kidding.

She said,

If you doubt your ability to do a pose, do it anyway. Chances are that is the pose your body needs most. Don’t be afraid to fall. Falling is completely acceptable. It means you let go of your fear and allowed yourself to grow.

I can’t say this an exact quote because I’m pretty sure when she was talking about this I was trying to concentrate on breathing and not fall on my face in crow pose, but you get the idea.

I’ve been thinking about this concept a lot lately when it comes to my workouts. Of course when I considered my route last night, I wanted to find a way to avoid slamming head first into a cold southeast wind tunnel. But instead of avoiding it altogether, I decided that my body needed it. I also reminded myself of all the times this winter I wished I could run outside but the polar vortex had better ideas.

So I paused 3 miles in on an open stretch of sidewalk and did some sprints into the wind. You don’t have to do a lot of them. Just 5 or so and recover with the wind at your back as you go back to the start. I only had a mile or so left to go so make sure you aren’t too far from home in case your legs are shot.

I guess my hope is that if you run against the wind enough in your training, you will build the strength to always have it at your back come race day.

Have a good workout!