Sunday, July 21, 2019

The Joy of Running

I received The Joy of Running from Penguin RandomHouse in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Seriously, how do you find joy while running in this hot, sticky blast furnace of a summer?

You find a way to make it work. You talk yourself through the tough spots using positivity instead of complaining about how much it sucks. It does suck. We all know running in the heat and humidity sucks. Telling yourself it sucks isn't going to make it feel better. You're out there, you're moving, you're sweating, you're doing it.

Maybe you slow down so you can get there. Maybe you change your goals. Maybe, like me, you drop your distance. While I'd love nothing more than to get some long runs done to prepare for my fall half, my body doesn't want to do that in this heat. I'm making peace with the fact that I can't always get what I want out of this body. I do what I can with what the day gives me.

The win isn't in the finish time, the win is the finish. That is what brings me joy. Never give up.

Wednesday's hot 5

The Week:
Sunday: Christmas in July 5k
Monday: Yoga with Adriene
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: run 5 miles, Yoga with Adriene
Thursday: Strength training and boot camp
Friday: rest
Saturday: AMITA Fit America 5k

Seriously, what is with all the 5ks? I didn't originally set out to run a bunch of 5ks this summer but for various reasons, that's what has happened. Mostly I'm running them because I've dropped my distances down from races I had already registered for. After my tough 5 miler on Wednesday, I made the decision to drop down from the 10k distance for Saturday's race. Between my lack of preparation for anything long distance and this ridiculous heat, dropping down to the 5k for both races was the smart thing for me to do.

Everything happens for a reason and I am enjoying getting reacquainted with running fast again. Back when I was training for the Chicago Marathon with my former coach, Becky, she had me do 3 mile repeats. Truly, I learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I also loved pushing myself that hard. While I'll recap Saturday's race in a separate post on Tuesday, I'll share here that the heat kind of got me at the end of the race. I did stop to walk briefly and I wasn't able to finish with the even splits I was hoping for. I'm going to work on speed over the winter and yes, I'm going to focus on the 5k distance for next year. Running fast brings me joy. What can I say?

Winning my AG brings me joy too! 
This weather has affected my joints and I've been a little achier than I like. On Thursday, I woke up not feeling well and I actually considered not going to work out with Coach Sammy Jo. Instead, I took my meloxicam and went. When I walked into CrossFit, Sammy Jo was wearing the same top as me and I knew it was going to be good. I worked on chest presses and pullups, cleans and perfect pushups, and then we worked on what was the challenge of the week, handstands. The goal for the week was 12 minutes upside down--not all at once. You know I love me some inversions, so this challenge made me very happy.

Coach Sammy Jo and me
Bootcamp was a partner workout with one partner setting the pace with an activity while the other partner did an alternate activity. Then we switched. We had 5 different sets of activities to do. I ended up really liking this workout because the partner I had really pushed me. Bootcamp is normally really individualized and it is easy to scale a workout because it feels too hard. I was happy to have the incentive to keep up with my partner and we crushed our workout together.




I've been getting so many books to review--it's a good thing--that I've decided to occasionally feature one here in the same format I do with product reviews. Not every book needs a full book review, but is still worthy of mention!

This week, I'm featuring a nifty little book called The Joy of Running, which is a collection of over 200 inspirational quotes for runners by Jackie Corley. Runners seem to love inspirational quotes, don't they? You can find us using quotes on Instagram posts as well as in our blog posts. I've noticed a trend in books I've reviewed over the years where each chapter starts with a quote to set the tone.
The Joy of Running is divided into chapters and the quotes fit the theme, for example, there are quotes for marathoners. I was drawn to the section on obstacles and was pleased to find a quote from Chuck Norris included there. Ironic? He's never run a marathon, you know. Quotes from all the well-known runners are included here.

The Joy of Running would be a great gift for runners of all levels. I'm going to leave mine on my nightstand so I can refer to it when I'm in need of a little inspiration! The Joy of Running is due to be released on July 30.

And if you're interested in more quotes about other sports, Corley has also written The Joy of Cycling (out now) and The Joy of Friendship (due out November 29).



Feeling inspired and finding the Joy of Running again /via @oldrunningmom @randomhouse #runchat #running #runningbooks


How was your week of running? Did you struggle with the heat? How do you find joy when running is hard? 

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.

43 comments :

  1. "The win is the finish" is SO true! That was literally my thought process for yesterday's run, lol. Thank goodness for this heatwave ending soon.

    Congratulations on another awesome 5K and AG win! I'm all about the inspirational quotes when it comes to running. I may have to pick up that book!

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    1. The heat is gone but it's still ridiculously humid. That can leave too!

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  2. I should look for the Joy of Cycling, since I'm doing that a bit more recently. I still don't ((yet)) love it, though. The heat was really a tough dragon to fight this week, but it's our reality. Like you said, telling yourself it sucks isn't going to make it feel better....our best option is to simply do what we can, and know the heat will eventually pass.

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    1. I love riding my bike but the drivers around here really make it risky. After my crash last summer, i've been a little more reluctant to head out on the road. As long as i can transport my bike to the trails, it's good.

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  3. Wow, I find it so hard to push myself (I know that sounds weird given I've just done an ultra but I've been so well afterwards I know I didn't push as hard as I could have, which is fine). Would be nice to find that sometimes, though! It's quite warm here but at the moment I'm giddy at being able to run and at not having a race to train for so it's quite easy to get out!

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    1. It's a struggle to run in the extreme heat and humidity; I've really been working on that mental toughness. I'm going to need it when I line up for my half in the fall!

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  4. No shame in going with your strengths! Congrats on another strong 5k. When it's this hot you just know it will effect your race in some form. Just showing up is winning!

    I didn't know that your joints were also effected by the heat. I'd assumed that it was more cold. That sucks. :(

    I think we all love & can use inspirational quotes!

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    1. It's not the heat, it's the humidity that affects my joints. And the cold. And god knows what else! At least moving helps!

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  5. This week was a doozy for running! It was hot AF but I tried not to think about and adjusted my pace, walked some and just got the miles done. And I thought of my friends who were running the Vermont 100 in this weather. If they can run 100 miles in this heat, I can do 14 miles or less!

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    1. I struggled with 5! I can't imagine running farther in that heat. I'm looking forward to some more reasonable temperatures.

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  6. I must be a weirdo! I love running in the heat! At least, I love it waaay more that running in the cold! Lol! That being said, I do find it hard to tackle the long runs in the heat. One foot at a time, I guess!

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    1. I think I'm the weirdo--I've never been able to push myself in the heat. I've always been envious of runners who seem heat resistant!

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  7. I have rediscovered 5Ks too this spring and summer. I am loving the shorter distances. I usually don't mind running in the heat, but this past week has been ridiculous! I take lots of walk breaks and just slow down!

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    1. That's what I've been doing. I'm looking forward to trying out these heat-tested legs in our cooler weather!

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  8. The 5K's seem to be your sweet spot right now-hey I say keep it up! congrats on winning your AG that's super impressive especially in this weather

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    1. It was not my best finish but it was good enough! The heat really changed everything.

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  9. Sometimes the joy of running is having your run done! :-D Seriously, there is a sense of accomplishment from pushing through a tough run. Glad the 5k distance is being sweet to you!

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  10. I'm so glad the 5K distance is making you a happy runner!

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  11. I always struggle with the heat, but you have a great attitude about it! You just have to adjust.

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    1. We have such extreme weather here in Chicago--either it's brutally cold or boiling hot. You just have to suck it up and go--otherwise you don't get it done.

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  12. I'm so glad you are getting some joy out of your faster running. I know that's what you love the most so it's good that it's happening! I'm struggling in general, not just with the heat but with everything. I didn't think it would be this hard after recovering from the operation. My foot isn't always cooperating. At the same time though, even when I don't look forward to the workout, it brings me joy when I'm done. I feel like I get over a bump in the road every time. It's kind of weird feeling crap and great at the same time about running!

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    1. I hope your foot calms down so you can enjoy your runs again too!

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  13. The heat is tough but it doesn't make me enjoy running any less! The winter weather on the other hand, can really get to me. I think its because with the summer I know I can still get my runs in, even if I need to slow down, walk, or move around my schedule. Congrats on your 5k!

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    1. I feel the same about our extreme winter and summer weather--they both make running feel like a chore!

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  14. I also struggled this week because of the heat. Ugh! I am looking forward to fall. :-)

    I love that you are doing great in your 5ks. Awesome!!

    I will have to check out that book. I finished reading "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Running for Good: 101 Stories for Runners & Walkers to Get You Moving" and loved it! I also enjoyed reading the quote at the beginning of each story.

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    1. I'm not ready for fall! I just want some 'normal' summer weather, whatever that is!

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  15. It’s kind of weird and unusual to say this but our weather has been pretty awesome. Well, until today that is. Mornings have been in the 70s and very dry (the best part). Right now it’s close to 90 and quite humid and I’m grateful today is a rest day.

    I like the idea of focusing on shorter distances. 5ks are hard but the training is very manageable. Nice job on your age group win!

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    1. Thank you! I'm going to start exploring the training for 5ks. Kind of excited to have a new plan.

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  16. Interesting thoughts about running in summer.
    Congrats on your 5 km. I would like to run some 5 km but around here this is not an usual distance. I told to our Mayor to find the way to organize a local Parkrun, but who knows?

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    1. What is the usual distance for races where you are? I'd say the 10k and the half marathon are the most common here.

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    2. The usual distance around here, in this period, is 10/12 km but terriby hilly.

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  17. Yes!!! Running should bring us joy, and it's so awesome that you are finding joy in the 5Ks - and it shows in how strong you are at them!!!
    The joy of running for me is in the movement and the challenge. I love easy runs and just moving outdoors. I love hard runs and pushing myself, regardless of the pace or duration. I worried that pregnancy making running harder would take the joy out of it for me, but the joy is still there - if anything, I appreciate it more I'm not focused on a finish time or upcoming race.

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    1. Thank you Laura! I am definitely going to make the 5k (and maybe the 10k) my focus for next year. I am really enjoying pushing my pace. But I have some work to do.

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  18. It looks like you're getting the hang of all of those 5k races! Going fast seems to be your thing. Can't wait to see how you'll do on your next one!

    I am a sucker for a good quote and I would definitely get this book and keep handy for a boost of motivation!

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    1. 'Back in the day", when I was a new runner, I ran a lot of 5ks. Now the goal is to run them fast and consistent. It will be a fun goal!

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  19. I love inspirational quotes so I am sure that I would love this book. Way to go with all of the 5K's. Definitely my least favorite distance but they have some huge fitness benefits!

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    1. I actually enjoy pushing myself, so this is right up my alley!

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  20. The win is the finish! - I love that! I may adopt that as my mantra for the rest of this training cycle.

    I also love that you are finding joy in running 5Ks. What a great idea to make them your focus next year!

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    1. It's funny how things work out. Hopefully this is something I can do!

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  21. #Twinning always sets the tone for a good day. So glad you've found the Joy of the 10K

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  22. Congrats on the 5k AG win!

    That book sounds awesome- I'm all about mantras. "The win is the finish" is a good one!

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