Antsy vs. relaxing run

A slightly random topic, but kind of fun.

When I run, it tends to be one of two different types of runs depending on my mood.

When I’ve been bottled up all day long and have lots of energy, or I haven’t gone for a run in longer than I’m used to, or I have a lot of something I gotta work off, I have what I’d call an antsy and more intense run.

It tends to be shorter — 3 miles max. And during that run, I push myself real hard. My attention is focused on the challenge and often my time/distance (since that’s how I’m measuring success). In these runs, I listen to more upbeat music with bigger drops or faster beats that get me excited.

After these runs, I feel really good and proud of what I was able to do. After the euphoria wears off, though, I tend to be pretty tired.

I’d probably say that for people that don’t run too frequently, this is what the run looks like more often than not. When running doesn’t feel natural, then there is lots of attention being exerted into the run itself — how your body feels, your breathing, etc.

These runs are rewarding, but it takes being in a certain mindset to go there.

Relaxing runs

Then there are runs I have as a means to cool down. I have no intention of moving quickly or pushing myself.

My attention during these runs is focused on the music, or the scenery, or the ideas in my head instead of the challenge of the run itself.

I can go into a flow where I am barely thinking about the actual running and I find a comfortable pace where I can just continue moving without having to think too much about it. I think the more time I have spent running, the easier it’s been for me to go to this place when I want.

These runs are awesome after stressful, long days when I don’t have the energy to push myself hard. Instead, I just want to cool down and get a break from all the stress.

These runs tend to be longer, 4–5 miles is pretty typical. At a much more leisurely pace.

I listen to more laid back, flat, and positive music that doesn’t make me want to move faster, but is just relaxing.

These runs are the reason I think more people should get into the sport. To be able to do something that is good for your heart and health (arguments could probably be made that it’s bad for your body), and to use it as a means of cooling down, while getting to think or listen to music or even a book at times, is a super special thing. This gets unlocked after reaching the point where you can comfortably run 4 miles at some leisurely pace (doesn’t matter if it’s a 6 minute mile or 12 minutes), and where your body doesn’t hurt and struggle through the run. Super super nice.

Thanks running