It’s good to push through the pain but to analyze it too…

Met some new friends at the gym today!  They read this crazy blog and came up and said hello.  I meet 99% of my friends via the internet.  

10 mile progressive run today—>  starting with an 8:12 mile and getting faster with each mile—>  last 2 miles @ 6:58 and 6:47.  

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I felt awful for the majority of the run.  

For me personally, I try to just push through the pain (not injury pain, just pain like tired legs, tired brain, soreness etc) and get the run done even if I don’t feel great.  I am kind of a stubborn person and if I tell myself that I am going to do a certain run that day, then I just buckle down and do it.  There are days that I just bag the run if I am feeling especially not in it but most of the time I try to tell myself to get to work and to be grateful that I GET to run. 

Besides just pushing through the run and finishing it even if you are tired/not in it (which is great for mental toughness;)—> I also think that it is really important to acknowledge and analyze what is bugging you while you run and not just telling yourself to quit complaining.  I like to do this because it helps me to learn from my mistakes.  For instance, this morning I took some time while I was running to think about why I felt lame during my run:  eating pure junk over the last few days (and more candy than a grown woman should ever eat;), sitting in a car a lot, lack of sleep, more diet coke than water etc.  

Hopefully, analyzing what we are doing wrong helps us to recommit to doing things right the next time around so that our running feels better!  Here’s to some better choices on my part!

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The cutest older woman made Brooke’s day today.  She stopped us and told us that she had a blue necklace in her purse that she has been waiting to give to a little girl that she thought would love it.  

She gave it to the right little girl.  

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Back on the veggie bandwagon.  My aunt’s house doesn’t have a fridge (it is a new house and it is coming soon) so we will mostly be eating out while we are here but luckily there are a bunch of healthy options nearby.  

Went back for another….

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Leave it to St. George to have their splash pad on in January.  Brookie and I went on a walk after lunch (well, I walked… Brooke doesn’t have a walking gear… she pretty much runs everywhere) and hung out here for a bit.  

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Feel free to check out my latest post on Women’s Running HERE.  I talk about taking care of ourselves first so that we can take care of others!

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Do you ever feel selfish about your running?

How do you meet friends?

-Via the internet, at church or I creepily go up to people and start talking to them.

What were the causes of your last bad run?

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75 comments

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I feel bad for running when I could be spending time with my husband/family. They are all really good about understanding that it is important to me to train, and I’m a better person and in a better mood when I do get my runs in!

I’ve just been tired/lethargic on my last few runs. Probably the weird schedule from the holidays and too much traveling that is throwing off my diet!

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I think running is the good kind of selfish. I’m better when I take care of myself.
Friends: most are from running groups, church, and lifelong friends from childhood
I have a tight Achilles so most of my runs have been crappy lately:(

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I saw this article headline and randomly thought oh my goodness what if Janae challenged Gaston to a push-up contest during her recent disney trip! :)
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gaston-disney-world-challenged-push-up-contest-video-201551

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BAHAHAH that was awesome. Pretty sure I could do two pushups currently!

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I am stubborn and usually do whatever I have planned too. I have also been known to probably analyze why I feel off too much though! I usually have an idea of what’s going on and I need to accept that running is just not always awesome and it’s hard for a reason.

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I think as a mommy it’s easy to have running guilt. I work full time so that and running time makes me feel Pretty bad. I think the best thing we can do is get up early and go before the day gets started. This way you are only really stealing from your sleep time and not time when the whole family is up.

I love you eating veggies. It inspires me to eat more green :) so keep it up girl.

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Working full-time is so hard! Makes it hard to choose wisely when you have limited “me” time.

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Mostly through existing friends, or settings like college where everyone was trying to make friends. This will backfire when I someday move somewhere I don’t know anyone.

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How crazy that I’ve never even considered THINKING about why I’m having a bad run?! That’s shameful! I think a lot of the time for me it’s probably just because I’m tired. I know I need to get more sleep!

I’ve met some great friends from blogging! A lot of my closest friends are still people I met in college or through work. But my best friend is one I’ve known since I was 15!

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I used to feel selfish about running sometimes, because I had people in my life at the time that made me feel guilty about it. Needless to say they aren’t really in my life anymore.

I meet most of my friends through work. My industry is full of young people, so I never have to look too far. I met my boyfriend through a running group though :)

My last bad run was because the wind was out. of. control. It didn’t necessarily ruin it, but it definitely affected my pace and enthusiasm for the run!

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I LOVE that you met your boyfriend through a running group! OH WIND–> the absolute worst in my opinion! I hope you are having a great day!

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Hi (again) today!!

I am so glad I came and said hello today. And I’m pretty sure our girls had as much fun at the gym (playing) as we did in our workouts.

I don’t consider myself a runner–at least not right now–however, I always feel selfish leaving for long runs while my hubby is home on his day off. He always pushes me to run/workout so I don’t know why I ever let it bug me though :)

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TARA!!! I seriously am so so glad that I got to meet you today. Started the day off right. THANK YOU!!! No more feeling selfish mmkay!?!

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I meet most of my friends at my gym and we usually connect because we’re runners or into the same sports. Recently a ton of them online too and they’ve turned out to be some of my best friends. Who would think this crazy internet would connect people so easily? If only I could meet a guy that easy. Haha!

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I was just telling a friend how funny it is that sometimes we complain about our technology-driven world and how it is making us less social. When in reality, we are able to meet friends far away who we wouldn’t have had a chance to meet before blogging/cellphones/Internet! We’re more connected, just in a different way :)

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Yay.! I’m glad you mentioned that post you did about feeling guilty about running. I loved it.! As a mom also it made me really happy to read. I work a lot and have veryy limited time with my daughter so sometimes I question my running but I loved reading your takr on it. Thank you :) gotta say one of my favorite posts of yours.

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Janae!! I’m moving to Provo (kind of nervous never lived or thought I would live in Utah. Hubby is starting P.A. school at Rocky Mountain University) in May and so want to meet you! I’m thinking a play date. I have a 2 1/2 year old named Brooklyn and we will need to meet some new play mates her and I.

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AHHHH so so exciting! YES PLEASE!!! I have had a bunch of friends go to Rocky Mountain and they loved it. So exciting:)

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I didn’t really overdo it during the holidays with treats but my workouts have still notice the difference. I am a bit more lethargic and sluggish. I have a race in two weeks so I really need to get back to my routine. I’ve meet my friends in college and work. I’m still new to blogging but I would like to think I’ll gain some great friendships through that too. Crazy how the Internet can connect you to others like that!

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Now that I am a blogger, I actually have met a lot of new friends through the blog. I also meet friends through other friends. I’m very particular about my time, but will make time for friends!

I haven’t felt selfish about running, but I have felt selfish about triathlon training. I have a very flexible work schedule and my husband does not, so during the summer I do a lot of long runs and bike rides in the middle of the day. It makes me feel bad sometimes that I get to enjoy the beautiful weather and he does not, but he seems very supportive and we do a lot of activities after work and over the weekends.

My last BAD run was a 17 miler a couple months ago. I was crying and dealing with some unrelated emotions, and if you have ever cried while running it is not easy. I think we all need a bad run from time to time.

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The only time I feel really selfish when I run is when I do a race. I feel like it takes weekend time away from my kids because I’m a working mom and should be with them at all times on the weekend. But I love to race, it makes me soooo happy, that I really think it makes me a better mom that part of my desires are fulfilled. Besides, the kids are always happy to have some alone time with their daddy or grandparents, whomever is taking care of them while I’m gone.

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As a mother of two, wife to a retired trucker and I homeschool, I never feel guilty. Running is my time to unwind, my time to gather my thoughts, my time to get away from everyone else, even if it’s only 35 minutes. We have to take care of ourselves before we’re going to be good for anyone else.
My husband never took care of himself (he’s 30yrs older than I am), and now he has had multiple heart attacks, one open heart surgery, multiple hospital stays, etc. I know that I MUST take care of myself, I may be the only parent my kids have left in 10 or 15 yrs. He’ll be 70 in June, so who knows.
So after seeing him suffer the way he does, being out of breath from walking through the house, I don’t feel guilty. I know God has put this love of running and fitness on my heart, because He knows I need to be there for the kids.

On a lighter note…I love the salad, that looks so yummy..AND, how sweet of that lady to give your daughter that necklace!

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So, randomly, I tried to email you today because I was sending an email to my boss and instead of typing the subject in the subject line, I started typing it into the “to” line and your email came up… but I guess your email changed.

But anway… I’ve been so lazy lately and have hardly worked out in a month or more =( Ugh, I feel awful. But now I’m to the point where it’s been so long that I am not even remotely motivated.

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I always feel guilty when I run. It is terrible. I work full time and so does my husband. I try to get up at 5AM and do my runs but my 20 month old has decided that she wakes up at 520. We have always gone through these phases but they have been terrible lately. My husband will get up with her if I leave (as opposed to running on the treadmill) but he always seems kind of put out by it. He isn’t as supportive as I wish he was about making me go even if it means he gets up early too. Its frustrating but I keep trying and know that someday she will sleep a bit longer. I did just sign up for a race so maybe that will help me just get over the guilty and run!

I met most of my friends in school. Some in high school and most in college. Now that I am an adult I have met some through work but keep wondering where to meet new friends since I live away from most of my friends.

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The only time running felt selfish to me was when I was training for my first half marathon last fall – but it was to myself. It felt like I was working so hard to keep up with my training plan that I had no time for other things for myself – sleep, relaxing, cleaning, having fun, etc. I know that must sound crazy – but luckily training for the spring feels different so far :) As for friends, I suck at new ones – I may need to force myself to join a running group here!

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So cute that Brooke runs everywhere, must be in her genes. Future running partner there!
Food is the biggest issue for my workouts followed closely by sleep. Looks like your back on trac. :)

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Whenever I feel selfish about running, I remember that it makes me a healthier and happier person. Plus I’ve realized it’s better for those around me when I run because when I don’t run I get antsy and cranky and probably drive them a little crazy.

Most of my husband’s and my friends are our college friends. We live in a smaller city where the university is the main industry and other than people who stay in the area after graduating, most of the people here are twice our age or older. We even looked into the running group and realized that most of the people who ran it were in their 40s and 50s (we’re both in our mid-20s). It’s hard to make friends here but we’re moving to a bigger city later this year (we’re between two options now) where there are more people are age and a more outdoorsy culture.

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I feel selfish sometimes because I have a 1 year old son and my husband works looong hours. When I go out to run on Saturday mornings and leave him with our boy, it feels like I should be there with them and like I’m just dropping my duties on my husband who needs time to himself too!

My last bad run was because I had breakfast BEFORE I ran. I make that mistake sometimes thinking it will be okay but my stomach just won’t handle it!

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I’ve never been good at making friends via the Internet. I do much better in person, usually I meet people at church.

When I’m training I’m good at doing check mark runs, where I run what’s perscribed unless injured to check it off the list. But I’ve learned I also need to have periods where I allow myself some leeway or I get mental burnout.

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I have sometimes felt selfish about my running/going to the gym, but it is important for me in so many ways. My husband would like me to sleep in with him (which I do sometimes), but if I continue to do that then my mental energy will suffer and things will start to become less pleasant for everyone. Working out helps me be a better person, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well. There are way more facets and it’s not just as simple as I need to “work out.”

I try and let others know how important it is for me on many levels so that they can try and understand. I also try and balance it so that it doesn’t take over my whole life or a majority of time that I could be spending with others.

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Just curious, how does your Aunt not have a fridge?

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She just bought the house… it is a second house for her and it is coming soon!

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On a flight several years ago, the plane depressurized and oxygen masks dropped down. I can assure you no matter many times I heard the message, I put the mask on my two kids before myself. It’s instinct. I do not feel guilty about running at all. I try to do it during times that don’t affect my kids but sometimes it’s unavoidable.

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My last bad run was definitely due to eating wayyy too many treats over Christmas break.
I mostly meet friends through other friends. Hmm- but how did I meet the original friends. … probably work or church. Or fitness classes.

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We all try not to feel guilty about the time we spend working out, but it happens…although it shouldn’t. Everyone needs time for themselves and it’s important to get in a workout. I suggest trying to get the family involved. Going on a shorter run? Load up the kids in the jogger and take off! I know, easier said than done, but the more you do it, the more they will get used to it and start to enjoy it. This will also educate them over time that exercise if not only important, but it can be fun!

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I LOVE YOUR SUGGESTION!!!! So so true!

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I love your newest article- so good! my last bad run was because it was FREEEEEEZING outside and I was struggling with that, haha!

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I love that you go up to people and start talking to them!! :) That’s awesome. Also, loved that article you wrote. SO true. Taking care of ourselves first makes us better for those around us. I actually wrote about that today on my blog! Too funny! Great minds. ;)

xo

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I rarely comment, but it’s DISNEY MARATHON WEEK and I’m excited! I always feel selfish running, but my grumpiness if I dont run is hard on everyone, so I deal with the guilt and run…it’s an escape from the day that I need, desperately! Although I am already feeling a little guilty for the amount of time I will be gone over the weekend for this race, but it’s all worth the high of the finish!

Side note: thank you for your passion for running, it’s so inspiring to me when I get a little burned out! Have a great evening!

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Oh! I loved your post in Women’s Running! What a GREAT analogy. I first started to wonder, “Umm, what light is an airline attendant going shed on Janae???” Then it was an awesome way to compare how we need to care for ourselves!!!

I work 40+ hours away from my boys and the commute to work adds another 6+ hours! I feel terrible when I’m so glad to finally put them in bed. Shouldn’t I be staying up with them as late as possible, catching up on the lost time? But not only MYSELF needs to refuel, the boys need to sleep, too!!! We just make sure the weekends are full of QT and fun things to do :)

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If my runs go bad it is due to sore/tight hamstring. That picture is adorable !

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I really enjoyed this post today… for some reason it really resonated and I liked your “real talk” perspective.

I’m struggling with the selfish thing right now because I had a baby 4 months ago and went back to work today. My husband and I both work full time, so it’s going to be really hard to get my workouts in and I just know I’ll feel guilty. I’m aiming to get up to run at 5 so I can be back before the baby is up and won’t miss time with him or my husband. It’s totally stressing me out and my husband doesn’t get it because he’s not a runner…

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This is such a great post and thanks for sharing Janae. While I don’t have any children, I can relate wanting to help everyone but myself first. I think it’s important to always give yourself you time.

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I would love to have a meet and greet with fellow blog readers but at the same time I feel sort of awkward–there’s a reason why I hide behind my computer sometimes because I’m shy!

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I meet friends mostly through church or at other events (alumni network get togethers, sorority alum group). We just moved to Charlotte away from our huge friend network in DC and it’s definitely been tough! My plan is always to get plugged in and sign up for lots of things to meet people faster, which works pretty well for me!

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My boyfriend travels for work a lot, so I feel selfish if I go running when he’s only home for a few days – depending on how soon I have a race coming up, I sometimes skip runs when he’s home.

Right now I mainly make friends through work and my boyfriend. Oh, and my running group! :)

My last bad run was a result of terrible hydration and terrible sleep. It matters, turns out.

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Sometimes I feel guilty about running, when my husband and daughter are waiting for me on weekends (honestly I am usually waiting for my husband to finish!), or when my daughter wants me to snuggle in bed and not run. But they both know that I get crazy. If I don’t run! ;). I have scaled back my running some since Thanksgiving (new puppy, daughter had strep, lots of holiday family time) and my usual 8 miles dropped to 5 or 3, but I still got to run. Now, all bets are off! Back to routine and a better puppy schedule.

I met my friends from work (pre-daughter) or from my daughter’s preschool, elementary school, or dance class.

Most of my bad runs are from lack of sleep, too much speed work, or too many miles and too little stretching. Trying to work on those for my 2015 goals.

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Growing up in a house where exercise was my mom’s oxygen mask, I can only say from the other side that timing of the workout is important. It was hard to comprehend as a child why my mom was missing something the family was doing for that workout. I think with a little planning, flexibility, and sacrifice of ideal workout time all people will understand and benefit from its importance.

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That is so completely true Erica. Sure love you and give that new baby a snuggle for me!

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That salad looks absolutely amazing!!!

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I used to feel guilty when my boys were really little – then I had an injury that kept me from running for 6 months and everyone in the family suffered. Now my boys are older (teens) and both love to run – no more guilt!!!

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I’ve actually made a lot of friend through running. I went home (Jamaica) for the holidays and ran with different running groups and made a lot of new friends that way…some of my new friends are doing the same races I am this year which is even more exciting!

I don’t typically feel selfish about my running…on occasion those feelings creep up but I remind myself that I’m doing this for my own sanity…which keeps society safe (it’s a public service really)…so basically I run for humanity, which is not selfish at all ;)

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Those girls are lucky, I’d love to meet you! (Or creepily walk up to you and start talking…)

My last bad run was due to negative thoughts. Always the source of a bad run. Hint: do some pre-run meditating to get my mind aligned right! :)

GREAT article in Womens Running, Janae.

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I’m so glad you talked about feeling selfish, and I LOVED your oxygen mask analogy. I struggle with it so much that sometimes I catch myself cutting runs short, because, really, two hour runs in the middle of the week? But you are right, running helps me be a better mother, wife, etc.

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I think I emailed you a ways back. Do you think days off from you’re training? Do you follow a certain running plan? I’m never sure what to do!

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Hi Janae! I’ve been reading forever, but have never posted before. Your questions were especially relevant to my life today. I mostly feel guilty about running if it interferes with other (usually last minute) plans. I think the trick is to know yourself and try to stay balanced. Sometimes I’ll rearrange my training to accommodate other people, but sometimes I know that what I need most is to do my run as planned, and I’m getting better at accepting that that’s ok too.

My worst runs are usually because I don’t give myself enough time to digest after I eat. Miserable, but also completely my own fault. Sometimes I just can’t say no to that last Reese’s…

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My family always comes first and I’ll be there in a minute if they need me. That being said, I don’t feel guilty about my running and I wont allow myself too, because I need to take care of me and my body first and foremost. And if an hour a day or a couple of hours on the weekend is what I need, it’s what I need, and I make no apologies for it.

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The closest friends I have are all through church :)

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I think making friends as an adult is really tough! We just moved to the bay area a couple of months ago and I’ve hardly met anyone. We’re joining a gym this coming weekend though and I’m hoping I’ll meet some people through fitness classes there.

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The way I eat truly impacts my run sometimes. I can always tell when I have not eaten well the few days before a run!

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Dude. That is a LOT of vegetables. I’m impressed.

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I am following a half marathon training plan and am following it to the letter! I don’t feel bad about running – it is my time and for me! As you say in the Womens Running article it is about looking after yourself so you can look after others such as the gorgeous Brooke! or in my case my gorgeous Telissa!
Since my ex and I split I have found out who my friends are – its amazing how something like divorce can show how two-faced some so called friends are! I find my friends through running now – I volunteer at my local parkrun and have made so many friends who I would never have met otherwise.
My last bad run was because I was so tired and my legs felt so heavy but I just got through it. It was miles in the bag! I’m glad I persevered with that run and didn’t cut it short.
Those veggies look good! It has given me an idea for lunch!

Happy running xx

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I mostly run at 430 or 5 am. It’s hard to feel guilty about missing anything if everyone in the house is still asleep!! It defiantly Takes planning and sleep management – but it works for me!

Last bad run was cold and windy. I didn’t plan well and never warmed up at all – I threw in the towel at 4 miles. :(

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I typically (80-90% of the time) try to run while my kids are in bed and/or just waking up. Sometimes, I just don’t feel like running first thing so I’ll run during the day and I’ll either coincide it with naps or I drop the kids off at Nana’s for two hours and they think that’s awesome. And really, that might happen once a month. And I know that I am a better mom/sister/wife/friend/teacher when I run.

My last bad run had to do with the cold. My body just isn’t used to it yet and hopefully it won’t be since our temps are somewhat returning to normal this week.

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I often feel selfish about running. I think that because it takes so much time away from my husband and taking care of the house I feel like a lot of that lands on him or doesn’t get done. However, that hasn’t stopped me yet! I also realize that I am doing it for him and for our future children. My health and ability to care for my family is more important than getting the laundry done, right?
My last bad run was caused by lots of soreness and dehydration. All preventable and I learned from it!

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I feel guilty whenever I tell someone I can’t do something social with them (go to the late movie the night before a long run, stay out late during a weeknight) because I have to get up early and run…I feel bad because of how they make me feel. But I know that I can still be their friend AND run (and I better friend if I run)…and if they can’t do that, then they probably aren’t a good friend anyway.

If I have a bad run it’s usually because I didn’t get enough sleep. I NEED my sleep!

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The look on Brooke’s face with that necklace is priceless. (and what a lovely lady to take the time to make her feel special).

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I love that they found you at the gym – I totally would do that too if I saw you somewhere haha!

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We just joined a gym (well, Groupon had this deal for the gym I was going to join and it was a steal for three months. Figured it would be good till the weather warms up here) and can’t wait to take the kiddos to the pool (though it looks nothing like your indoor pool!).

I ALWAYS have running guilt when it comes to the kids. For the majority of the time, I TRY to do my runs during my lunch at work — I get an hour (but sometimes can go longer…). When training for marathons, I figure I will only need ONE day for a 3-4 hour slot to run. I hate it but it needs to get done and it’s good for me. When it gets nice out, I try to take the kids in the jogger before work — I have ZERO motivation after work. I mean, ZILCH.

I guess we just have to find a balance that works best for us. :-)

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Me no run, me no happy :)

Seriously, running makes me a better person and its better for everyone around me (husband, kids, friends). Its a part of my life like brushing my teeth. :)

My friends are mostly from college and church.

Last bad run was when my knee hurting a lot. No fun.

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Thanks for bringing that up! It does put the power back into your own hands when you think about why you feel a certain way. Then you have the power to make a change for the better down the road if you really don’t like the way you are currently feeling.

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Such a great article. Thanks for the reminder. I really struggle as a working mom and if I don’t get a run in during my lunch break, it usually doesn’t happen. It is so hard to balance everything but I always feel better on days that I work out.

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Awesome Women’s Running post Janae! I think about the (not so) selfish part of running all the time. Thanks for putting into words.

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I sometimes feel guilty running or being at the gym all the time. My Hus will sometimes make comments, but he understands and supports me. As long as I make time for him too! haha…but if I don’t exercise, he doesn’t wanna be around me anyways! LOL

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My last bad run came about because my IT band (I think) began hurting! It’s been 4 days now and I still can’t run….

Have you ever had IT band pain?

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