This week I don’t have a set schedule for my running. I’m just going to do what I can, when I can and I’m not going to experience guilt for what I do or don’t do in terms of running this week.
The reason for this is because I am going to Utah tomorrow and I have no clue how long I’ll be there. My mom is having knee surgery on Thursday, her meniscus is shredded, and I need to be there to help her. (Please, send positive thoughts and vibes her way! Surgery is always a scary thing to face!)
Due to the unknown factors of this week, I am not making any definite plans. But it’s important to maintain some flexibility in your training, even if you have a set schedule and impending event. Rigid thinking has been a problem that I’ve struggled with in the past and I’m really trying to learn to “live and let live”… because let’s face it, life happens and that’s a good thing. Having the exact same schedule day in and day out is a surefire recipe for boredom (at the least) or insanity (in the extreme).
There may be days where running seems like it’s our whole life, but I am more than just running. Yes, I claim the label “runner” and I’m proud to be able to say that. But I am also a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a webmaster, a blogger, a reader, a writer, a yogi… and probably countless other labels.
Lately I’ve been telling people that ask me, “What are you training for?” that I am training to be able to run until I’m 100. Because I intend to incorporate this into my life forever and there is no way that will become a reality if I’m overtraining and skipping out on things that make me human just to log a few more miles on Daily Mile.
Are you good at adapting your plan to fit your life or do you adapt your life to fit your plan?
Jill Will Run 
I tend to avoid a plan all together and run when I can and when I feel like it. Sometimes I get 5 in, sometimes 2. I do find it better if I schedule my time so I do get a run in, but there are moments when life comes first. While I know that my running will help me to live longer and healthier, I also know that life is important to be lived and if that comes first, it comes first. My run will be there tomorrow too.
Of course, that’s my happy, philosophical view. I wish I could always keep that in mind. More often than not, I beat myself up if I miss a run. But I’m working on it.
And I forgot to say, my prayers will be with you and your mom. Wishing her safety and fast, healthy healing. Wishing you patience and strength as well. *hugs* to you both.
Well said. I ran hard on Sunday and thought about running today and decided one more day of rest. If we are going to run until we are 100 we need to be smart about it.
One run is not worth all of my future runs (if that makes sense)
Happy to have clicked over to read from twitter
Great post Jill. Sometimes when you’re so focused on training for a race, that other things get left to one side. With all the benifits that keeping fit has, normal life can be just as good!
Hope your Mum is OK.
i definitely fit my life into my plan. this isnt necessarily a good thing, but its the only thing i got 🙂
I go with the flow. Some weeks are crazy and I consider all the running around that I’m doing as my exercise. Other weeks I get each run in as scheduled. It all works out in the end. But I definitely agree with what Paul said … you’ve got to be smart about it and follow what your body needs.
Hey I have been doing that since Surf City. LOL
I hope your mom’s surgery goes well!
And I totally go with the flow! I like to be flexible!
Jill – best of luck to your Mom! Life balance is such a gift. It is because of all the things that you do and all of the roles you play that you are able to be so good at each of them.
I know my running makes me a better husband, brother, son, boss and friend – just as my being the best husband I can be and family member gives me strength to be the best runner I can be.
Have a safe trip, looking forward to hearing how wonderfully your Mother comes through this little set-back.
Best from Austin,
joe
I’m going plan-less this week also because I’ve been so sick the past month and whenever I revise my new plan, it never happens so just taking it one day at a time. Seems to be working better this week that way. Sorry about your mom, I hope she recovers quickly….enjoy your time together, it’ll be special no matter what!!
i hope all goes well with your mom! so sorry to hear the news of her knee! 😦
i love your “training for life” mentality. very true! sometimes i find myself getting entirely too caught up in my training. on one hand, running is something i really enjoy and is part of who i am, but on the other i definitely need to chill out about it sometimes 🙂
That is a really good question. I could give you some bs and say I am really flexible, but honestly, it is something I have to work on. I totally like having a plan. And most of the time, I fit my life around my plan. There have been times when that is out of my control and I make the best of it, but I do try to stick as much as possible to a plan. These days though, after spending 2 years working on defining myself as a runner, I am struggling to find out what else is there. I have focused so much of my days/weeks/months on working out…swimming, biking, running, etc…that now that I am injured I feel a little lost. I don’t like the person I was before I got into this lifestyle and I don’t feel like the person I was even a week ago. Does that make sense?
Sorry for getting all whiny on your comment!
Great post. What a healthy attitude you have! I’d like to be less rigid about it all, but I’ll admit, I work hard to fit it all in. I rarely miss a workout, but probably should relax and let it happen once in a while!