Sunday, November 16, 2008

Groove, lost and found.

Before I get to the groove, which I know is the reason you're all here, let me talk about some weirdness.

Yesterday, I ran outside in shorts. It was 68 degrees, the sky was full of gray clouds and the wind, at least here in Windyville, was whipping. My run kinda rocked. Sure, I was hot. Sure, I was running with the wind in my face the entire way even though I ran a loop. But it felt great. I normally don't expect to be able to run in shorts in mid-November. So, yeah, the run was good.

Today, though, the temperature barely climbed to 40 and it felt like 34. With whippier winds than we had yesterday. (Hey -- if you were here, out in the wind, you'd use whippier, too.)

That's the weirdness! Hot yesterday, cold today. Hoo hah!

Now, please don't think that I shared this temperature weirdness for no reason other than to fill up space in this post. Because if you thought that, I would have to prove you wrong: I had a reason. Consider it background.

On to the groove!

I lost it. Could not find it anywhere. If you recall from the background, it was cold and windy today and I, being a Supreme Princess of Wimpiness, decided that I could not run outside. So I ran on the treadmill. Um, yeah. That would be when I started looking for my groove and determined that it was MIA. Nowhere to be found.

Not on my first warm-up mile. Not on mile 2. Certainly not on the half mile that I walked because, without my groove, my run felt a bit crappy and I had little interest in continuing it.

I started to think about what the winter would be like, running on the 'mill, if I no longer had my groove. How would get through it? Would I have to force myself out of my comfort zone and run outside in cold? Through wind, rain, sleet and snow?

Short answer? No. This First Lady of Weaksylvania can continue to run in the temperature-controlled environs of her basement because her groove was found.

It was simple, really. I was walking. Had pretty much given up on the run when I decided to give it another shot, this time with feeling! Or at least a little speed.

And that is where I found my groove: hanging out in the speedy last few miles. Once I sped up, I felt better. I got into a rhythm that just worked and the rest of my run was as good as a run on the treadmill can be.

With my groove found, I will be facing the winter with a little more pep. Or at least with 8-something minute miles.

18 comments:

Marcy said...

Saturday was nice but today . . .dang was it cold out there (and windy). *sigh* The things to come . . .

Way to work out that run, chica ;D

Candice said...

That's awesome! So glad you found it:) I hate running on treadmills, but I also hate running in the cold. Ahhh, the dilemma. You've inspired me to find my groove on the treadmill asap! Thanks! And happy running

ncrunner12 said...

Glad you got your groove back, personally I can't run on a TM. It's a mixture of things, one I can't run in a straight line. Seriously I'm all over the place and could fall at any second. Second I need scenery and a TV just doesn't do it for me.

I get a bit jealous when I go to the gym and see all these peeps running in the climate controlled area when that day I was out in the cold.

Butgood for you for finding your groove, i'm sure you'll enjoy the winter more.

Diana said...

Great for you!! So, is the message that you should give it your all no matter what? I think if you take the attitude "I'm only here for a short time so I'll give it my all till then" it helps. From what I remember :)

Felice Devine said...

Diana -- Absolutely! Give it your all. The treadmill is never great (for me) but it beats the cold, super windy days (for me).

Vava said...

Way to find that groove again, and on a treadmill and everything! I hate treadmills and will likely venture out into the snow more often than not this winter to avoid them, but we are starting to consider buying one and sticking it in the garage for those really blizzardly days. Nice work!

RunnerMom said...

Hi! It looks like we have some things in common! I love your writing style. I am a former English teacher, freelance editor, wannabe writer, SAHM. Oh, and I'm a runner, too. I don't know why I enjoy writing about running so much. I suppose integrating my two passions has something to do with it.

I agree the the only way to find a groove on a treadmill is to go fast (relatively speaking for me, anyway). However, an outdoor run on a brisk day is pretty groovy for me, as well.

I think "whippier" is a perfect word choice. :-)

Been running long?

Aron said...

wow what a change in 2 days!! glad you got your groove back!!

Chic Runner said...

Glad you refound your groove! Sometimes that's all you need. :) Hope things are going better for you now, and hey, just be happy winde doesn't equal fire like where I'm from! Sheesh! :)

Marlene said...

We had freezing temps and snow all weekend, but I ran outside anyway because my groove does not exist on the 'mill. Glad you got yours back!

Run Mommy said...

Hey there, found your blog on Runnermom. I am also the mom with kids so I like to follow the Mom runners! Look forward to reading more! :)

X-Country2 said...

Way to power through! My groove does not exist on the 'mill no matter how hard I try.

BeachRunner said...

Way to rule the mill. It was suck-ass out there yesterday. But this Weather Wimp is feeling like the King of the Wind Racers (NOT!!) after yesterday's race.

tfh said...

Going from grooveless walk to a groove is a feat I haven't mastered. "Another shot, this time with feeling!" I have to remember that.

RunToTheFinish said...

In the weirdest way I often get my groove back by going for a long run..it's hard but then I feel like I've mastered something and it becomes enjoyable again.

The Laminator said...

Glad you found it...the groove missed you.

Anonymous said...

Glad you got your groove back. Just thinking about running on the treadmill sucks the energy out of me. Once I settle down and just deal with it I am usually fine.

Good job.

Anonymous said...

still groooving, Stella?

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