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Running When You’re Not Training for Anything

What does running look like if you’re not training? Here are 5 reasons why running when you’re not training is GREAT for you!

I’m so excited to talk about why I love running when you’re not training.  Why? Because that’s the phase I’m in currently. Also related to 7 reasons to run besides losing weight.

But before that, how was your weekend? We spent the weekend in Boone, NC, in the mountains. It was very cozy and relaxing to just live life without any sense of time for a couple days.

I slept in, drank lots of coffee in nature, hiked with the pups, had s’mores by the fire pit and saw some amazing views.

And some cheesy tater tots after hiking. Nothing hit the spot any better!

cheesy tater tots on white plate

Tater really enjoyed the hike. We stopped in a local water area and she splashed around. She wanted to keep playing but we had to get her back so we could go eat because we were HUNGRY. 

girl and golden doodle puppy hiking

Oh, and I can’t forget – a lovely bloody mary with an even lovelier view of the mountains. We stopped for brunch before heading home from the weekend. 

bloody mary in front of green trees and mountains

It was a weekend without any running which got me thinking about this post: Running when you’re not training for anything. You may have been wondering why I haven’t written about running lately, and well, it’s because I haven’t been doing a whole lot of it!

Since the Ogden Marathon in May, my running has decreased tremendously and it’s been very relaxed. I went from 35+ miles a week to 10-15 miles. It’s actually been a perfect time to do so because running in the Charlotte heat and humidity is not my friend.

I’ve realized there are quite a few things I’ve enjoyed about not being in training mode that I thought I’d share.

Girl running with text overlay about how to enjoy running
The perks of Running When You're Not Training

Why do I love running when I’m not following a training plan?

There’s no pressure

I don’t feel like running? No problem. I don’t have to worry about making the miles up at the next run, or struggling to hit my weekly goal. I’ve simply ran when I wanted to, or rested when I didn’t want to.

 

You don’t have to keep track of your miles

I can run 10-15 miles a week and not worry about losing my fitness. I can cross-train or just do strength training for the week and all is great in the world. I can see and use it as more of a form of self care

 

No fear of workouts that make you sore the next day

No speed work, interval training, or 3 mile runs! During marathon training, I’d be afraid of doing too much strength because I didn’t want to be too sore for my training runs. Now, that’s not a worry or concern.

overhead view of running necessities

Sleeping in

It’s been absolutely incredible. What else can I say about this?

I feel so much more rested. I don’t have to stress about wanting to stay out later at night. 

Weekends don’t revolve around running

There’s the opportunity to do so much more exploring now. On long run Saturdays, I’d have to give up plans on Friday nights for an early bedtime. Then I’d honestly want to lay around most of the day Saturday after running. Things didn’t get done and I couldn’t be as flexible. Now if I want to hit up the Farmer market, or have friends over for brunch, it’s so easy to do.

 
Weekend getaway

The ability to try new workouts

I’m back in the hot yoga groove right now and some HIIT workouts. I’ve also been doing some barre workouts from home, and loving feeling a little more toned.

Although I’m enjoying some time away from a “training plan,” I am itching to sign up for my next race. I’m ready to start adding a little more running structure back in – nothing extreme and no marathons until Boston next April – but there’s a part of me that takes pride in training for something and having a goal or objective in mind, and giving it my all to reach that goal.

I think all us runners need time like this with no agenda, to run just because we love it or just when we want to, without a plan dictating our mileage. Taking some time away really challenges our love for the sport, and with that rest and recharge, you can come back stronger. I’m not sure what my next race will be before Boston, but I think this time off has been key in just giving my body the rest it’s been asking for.

Running When You're Not Training for Anything

Running is more intuitive.

Running and exercise in general can totally be an intuitive endeavor. Like I talked about in how to manage Intuitive Eating and Exercise, I’ve learned to tune in to my body needs and how I feel when I’m not robotically following a training plan.

It has made a world of difference and has been a monumental learning experience for me. 

I’ve written about time away from running, because it always seems like I come back from breaks feeling refreshed and ready to tackle a new goal. It also seems that it was about this time last year I took a little running break too.

 

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What do you enjoy about running without training for anything?
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  1. Great post! I had to take some time away from running, too. It had become not as much fun and more like an obsession and obligation. I took 3 months off where I just decided to go on walks instead and it was just what I needed! That time allowed me to reconnect with myself and other areas of my life I felt like I was missing out on. It allowed me to reset and to be able to evaluate how much and when I wanted running back in my life. I’m back to running now, but literally only about 5-6 miles a week with other types of workouts mixed in. It’s been fantastic!

    1. Thanks for sharing, Amber. I think it’s awesome that you just listened to your body to figure out what it was really asking for.