An Open Letter to Running…

Dear Running,

I love you, you know I do, but this last year and a half has left me feeling unfulfilled. I spent Sept-March in constant half-marathon followed by marathon training. But where did it leave me, with 2 medals and no obvious physical changes. Yes, I had longer endurance and sometimes better speed – but really it was just a tolerance I built up. If you put your hand in a bucket of ice for a few minutes the ice doesn’t get warmer you just adapt to tolerate it better. 

I don’t want to just ADAPT my body to be a long-distance runner. I want to TRANSFORM myself into an all around athlete. I want to be strong and have muscle tone. 

I have 3 months of marathon training before I take a break from distance. I may continue to work on speed and see how much I can take off my 5K time, but when it comes to how many hours a week I spend exercising the ratio needs to change. 

I don’t regret registering for the Marine Corps Marathon, but I know all those miles I need to log to be ready aren’t enough for me anymore. It’s not you, it’s me.  I want to weight train and cross train. 

I have a new mistress, I went to a group personal training class lead by Trainer Dan yesterday and it was great. It was 7 stations for 7 minutes each in partners. As a new person to the class Trainer Dan was very attentive to me and making sure I had good form, but once I got it he didn’t need to babysit me.

The group classes are ½ the price of a personal training session and I’m THISCLOSE to officially signing up. Trainer Dan said I could come tomorrow also to do a different station variety. I really liked working in pairs and also seeing where some of my strengths or where others are better. The lady I was paired with was in good shape, but wasn’t as strong so I felt badass using 18lb kettle bells while she used 12lb, but then she’d kick my ass in a different activity like lunges. It brought out a good competitive side in me.

I hope we can still be friends (with benefits)

Love,

Jenn

Author: jaj05002

35. DC/NoVA. Fitness Enthusiast. Balance Seeker. Recovering Workaholic. Healing Journey. Weight Watchers. Loud Laugher. Fiery Leo. Theatre Junkie. Music Aficionado. Avid Writer. Pom Mom. Lawnguyland Native.

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