Running Mindlessly, Mindfully, & My Off Season on Monthlies

Most of you who have been following me on my blog or know me personally, have heard me talk about Heart Rate Training. For the past several months now I have been following Coach MK’s monthlies programs.

I had no idea how much I loved having a detailed program during the off season until I no longer had one! It was truly odd getting up on May 1st not having an running and strength program to look at.

Most often in the off season I just run whatever I feel like running. And because I am a type A person, I most often over achieve. After my last marathon, I decided to try Coach MK’s Monthly program, specifically Jennifer. They are a perfect mix of strength training, challenging runs, recovery runs, and even a few extras, such as the machine of the month.

I love how Coach MK lays out each program so intuitively! Her purpose for placing the hard and easy days are spot on! I have not only gotten stronger, but I am staying injury free…Blessed. Since I am approaching 60, I can’t say I have gotten faster…but the good news, I haven’t slowed down much either.

I show up every day. I do my run exactly as written. I do the strength exercises times two. I play on my Bosu. I have become friends with my resistance bands. I try my best to foam roll consistently and stretch. I just do what she tells me to do. I don’t have to think about what I am going to do every morning. MINDLESS running…but with DEDICATION!

It’s exactly why I rave about my friend’s Sarah’s running classes. Her workouts challenge me. I love her creative energy she puts into each class. If you’re local, you really need to check out her classes. You’ll have fun and get stronger.

You’d think after 40 plus years of consistent running, 25 marathons, as many half’s, 10K’s, 5K’s etc, you’d think I would have figured everything out by now. Far from the truth.

Every time I begin and end a new Heart Rate Training session (and I have completed Heart Rate 101, 102, Outstanding, Super Outstanding, Amazing with Tweaks and several Months of Monthlies) I “run away” with more tools I can apply to my running.

Before Heart Rate Training, I didn’t really think about my run, in a mindful way that is. For example, every day is different. Try asking yourself, “what do you want to accomplish today from your run”. Try setting aside your ego and run by how you’re feeling in the moment. Success is guaranteed because you set an intention to run based on the feeling you are having. Pace and number of intervals, or miles don’t matter.

You can apply this to race day as well. Last year about this time I ran a half marathon by feel which, with any luck at all, I am going to attempt again this year. Since I have bee struggling with a slight cough and a bit of a cold, I will run based on how I feel and with no expectations. Maybe I’ll even run watchless.

If you want to learn more about mindful running I highly recommend following Dr. Justin Ross. He’s terrific. I wish I lived in Colorado sometimes so I could pick his brain more often!