It's been 4 years, 2 months, and 2 days since I began tracking my runs with the RunKeeper App.
To someone who isn't technologically addicted/burdened, this is a very strange question. The obvious answer is you run 'by feel'. Whatever the hell that means. I've certainly forgotten.
Every 5 min, my RunKeeper app announces my pace and distance. How awesome is that? My Garmin watch also provides my time and pace (without the 5 min audio check in). How great is it to know you are killing it during the last few miles of your race? How horrible is it to know you are falling short of your racing goal? Does it even make a difference?
I know this much - when I have an app or tracking device monitoring my run I feel immense pressure. Let me clarify this is NOT a good thing. It's the kind of pressure that makes me stop the tracker when I have to wait for traffic; the kind of pressure that constantly distracts me from the task at hand to check my pace and mileage. Worst of all I feel compelled to share my times on social media. If it's not on Facebook then the run must not have happened at all. When did this happen???
So, as I was getting ready to log another 5 miles this past Wednesday, I went to grab my trusted Iphone 6 S arm band. Have you seen an Iphone 6? Those fuckers are huge (and heavy). But, I have gladly lagged an immense phone on my arm for nearly every run for 4 years. It's habit. So, imagine my dismay when I found my arm band torn to pieces all over the floor (the daily trials and tribulations of owning an 8 month old Beagle puppy). I was furious. I had meticulously selected a play list from Youtube; all of my running history was stored on the Runkeeper app. If I didn't have these features why even run at all?
I took to drastic measures. Perhaps I could duct tape the phone to my arm? Run with it in my sports bra? Wear a hoodie with a pocket (despite the nearly 60* temps outside)? Nothing would work. I wasn't gonna run. That was it. My workout was shot. Might as well just start drinking beer and order a pizza to add to my ruined evening. As I was taking off my running shoes and drowning in my self pity, I noticed a little gem I hadn't seen in months poking out of my gym bag - my Ipod shuffle! I had put so much music I loved on this little guy...would it still work? And even if it did, it wouldn't track my run. But I know every distance from my doorstep by heart; I know the exact distance to run out and turn back for a 5K, I know the 5 mile loop around Ashburn; I could even run 11 miles and know the exact distance. Who cares if I couldn't post my workout on social media when I got home? It's for me anyways, right? I wondered when I had become so pathetic that I had to historically document every time I laced up my shoes...
Addiction
If I don't know my pace how in the world will I pace myself?To someone who isn't technologically addicted/burdened, this is a very strange question. The obvious answer is you run 'by feel'. Whatever the hell that means. I've certainly forgotten.
Every 5 min, my RunKeeper app announces my pace and distance. How awesome is that? My Garmin watch also provides my time and pace (without the 5 min audio check in). How great is it to know you are killing it during the last few miles of your race? How horrible is it to know you are falling short of your racing goal? Does it even make a difference?
I know this much - when I have an app or tracking device monitoring my run I feel immense pressure. Let me clarify this is NOT a good thing. It's the kind of pressure that makes me stop the tracker when I have to wait for traffic; the kind of pressure that constantly distracts me from the task at hand to check my pace and mileage. Worst of all I feel compelled to share my times on social media. If it's not on Facebook then the run must not have happened at all. When did this happen???
So, as I was getting ready to log another 5 miles this past Wednesday, I went to grab my trusted Iphone 6 S arm band. Have you seen an Iphone 6? Those fuckers are huge (and heavy). But, I have gladly lagged an immense phone on my arm for nearly every run for 4 years. It's habit. So, imagine my dismay when I found my arm band torn to pieces all over the floor (the daily trials and tribulations of owning an 8 month old Beagle puppy). I was furious. I had meticulously selected a play list from Youtube; all of my running history was stored on the Runkeeper app. If I didn't have these features why even run at all?
I took to drastic measures. Perhaps I could duct tape the phone to my arm? Run with it in my sports bra? Wear a hoodie with a pocket (despite the nearly 60* temps outside)? Nothing would work. I wasn't gonna run. That was it. My workout was shot. Might as well just start drinking beer and order a pizza to add to my ruined evening. As I was taking off my running shoes and drowning in my self pity, I noticed a little gem I hadn't seen in months poking out of my gym bag - my Ipod shuffle! I had put so much music I loved on this little guy...would it still work? And even if it did, it wouldn't track my run. But I know every distance from my doorstep by heart; I know the exact distance to run out and turn back for a 5K, I know the 5 mile loop around Ashburn; I could even run 11 miles and know the exact distance. Who cares if I couldn't post my workout on social media when I got home? It's for me anyways, right? I wondered when I had become so pathetic that I had to historically document every time I laced up my shoes...
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| My saving grace - the perfect size and non-distracting |
I know this much. I ran hard. Harder than I have on my 5 mile loop in a long time. I didn't worry about stopping my tracker if cars were in an intersection; I could slow down so when I got there they had passed. I wasn't constantly checking my arm. I didn't want to stop if I felt my pace slowing (like I have before, when I was worried my time wouldn't be impressive). I ran by feel - and I felt great. I had forgotten all those older songs I used to listen to when I ran. I still love them! The runner's high was achieved. I was out there running for me - not for my tracking device. And I had absolutely no one to brag to. And that was just fine.
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| A typical run - wired up and plugged in (Nov, 2013) |
So today, I did it again! I feel like such a rebel! I went for a 5k run this morning using running only 'feel' alone. My only technology was my tiny Ipod shuffle. And again, I felt pretty good. I am considering trying this method for the Loudoun Lyme 10K on Sunday. I will post my time - for comparison purposes only, of course :) But I have a feeling things are gonna go pretty well.
Sidenote
This is not to bash RunKeeper (or any running app.) at all. I believe in tracking progress and keeping a record of your times. I just think there is a fine line between obsession and assistance. I am working on that balance :)
Other News
I'm trying these new vitamins called Sugar Bear Hair. They are very sweet, but pack a lot of biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin D
I just finished a month supply, and I can say I see a difference in my hair growth and my nails. My nails are rock solid! I am ordering another bottle today. As someone who used to work at a supplement company, I am sick to death of vitamins. But, these are like a gummy treat more than a nasty vitamin. I strongly recommend these!
Until next time - Happy Running!
India
Congrats
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