An open letter to my digital BFF
On Monday night I ran without my running BFF (aka the Garmin) for the first time in probably four months. I love that little guy - and I thought it was mutual but after Monday night, I'm not so sure we been loving each other for the same reasons. I knew it needed to be a 6 miler to get my legs adjusted back to distance. When I realised my BFF was still plugged in at home, I mapped out a route with my old buddy, Map My Run (my ex-running BFF). I set out with the Map App (oh oh witty word play) running on my phone to give me a rough idea of mileage. I'm so used to the comfort of checking those pacing numbers; furiously bouncing up and down at lights to see how much pace I am losing, struggling across a particular mile on my regular route, taking pleasure in how fast I can recover, pulling back when I see I am reaching my target pace, how I start to second guess if the number seems to high... Running without my bestie was kind of liberating. I had to pace myself based on feeling and funnily enough, not watching each millisecond tick by meant I did a lot less 'recovery' walking. In short, I actually RAN - I let my mind go quiet and my body be my guide for each step. And guess what? I ran that sucker in 58 minutes (a total of 6:43 miles) INCLUDING crossing lights and major intersections. You can't change a type A overnight, so the mindful runner bit was never going to last long right? I think that there is a lesson here and no, I am not breaking up with my BFF anytime soon. I love that little guy and not just because I think he makes me look more intimidating to other runners. I have concluded from this little exercise that I am actually faster than I think. I've been coasting a bit - I can push myself for longer at a higher pace than I have been. My BFF is actually an enabler, holding me back in the comfort zone when the goals I have set out for myself require me to push harder. So Garmin, if you are going to continue being my running buddy, we have to be open with each other regarding the terms of our friendship. You will keep the pace and I will reciprocate by pushing myself for real. No coasting. Tonight we spin and back on to pounding pavement on Thursday. Ps: can you consider finding satellite signal a little faster as part of your side of the bargain? Thanks, you are awesome.