Running, fast and slow - a paradigm shift
Recently I've tried to get into running... again. Running and I never managed to strike up a long-term friendship. I tried to pick it up multiple times over the past few years, but I would normally run out (pun!) of motivation after the first couple of training sessions.
I thought that this time, to increase my chances of sticking to it, I should have a plan. Until now I would just run for as long as I could, which would be anywhere between thirty minutes and an hour; and then check my pace. So I downloaded the Adidas Running app and chose a training schedule.
Each training in the app comes with a recommended speed. Most of the time it said "Slow". In my head it always meant to just keep running at my maximum possible speed, because, well, I am slow, even at my fastest. I thought it meant compared-to-normal-people slow, not my slow.
And to be fair the voice coach in the app would constantly tell me "Your pace is too high. Slow down.", but I'd just think - can't you see how slow I am? Is this supposed to be a joke? And also, don't tell me what to do - and continue grinding.
As a result each of my runs was an agony. I would constantly feel like I'm about to spit my lungs out. Every minute would last an hour. I was proud after every training, of course, but going out for a run took a giant bout of willpower. It wasn't sustainable for long enough to see any results.
But today the app scheduled an interval training, the very first in my life. And I was so stressed about the 3x1.5min at "Accelerated" pace, that I ran the warm-up very slow. I was barely moving forward.
Fifteen minutes passed and I was still breathing normally. I wasn't fighting for my dear life, which allowed me to focus on my technique. I picked up my cadence, making my stride even shorter. I made sure to lift my heels.
Forty minutes later I was sad the training was over. Even the accelerated parts were fun. It's thrilling to give it your all, without inhibitions, because you know it's only going to be a little over a minute.
And the most surprising part came when I checked my pace. I was barely any slower than during my normal runs. I guess the faster cadence and better technique paid off immediately.
It took me forever to grasp the obvious, I know. I wonder what other areas of my life I'm overcomplicating by refusing to do the counterintuitive thing. Anyway, can't wait to go for a slow run again.