In my last post, “A New Goal on the Horizon,” I wrote about signing up for the Rhein-City-Run in Düsseldorf.
I had taken part in this race a few years ago and had fond memories of it. The course, the atmosphere, and the feeling of running alongside so many other people. It was something I wanted to experience again.
More than anything, I wanted to have a specific running goal to work towards. A date on the calendar, something to train for. A little extra motivation on those days when my running shoes seem perfectly happy staying in the cupboard.
So, the plan was in place. Unfortunately, life sometimes has other plans.
Sometimes Running Just Isn’t the Answer
There are situations that come completely out of the blue and turn your usual routine upside down. Things that suddenly demand your attention, leaving little room for anything else.
That’s exactly what happened to me.
What actually happened isn’t important for this post. What interests me more is how differently people deal with such situations, and why taking a break from running can sometimes be the right decision.
I often hear people say that running is especially helpful during stressful or difficult times. Just put on your running shoes, head outside, clear your mind, and somehow the world looks a little brighter afterwards.
That may work wonderfully for many people. But it didn’t work for me this time.
I had several things to deal with that required my full attention. And I didn’t want to spend even more time going over them in my head. The trouble is, that’s exactly what tends to happen when I run.
When I’m out on my own, my mind starts wandering through all sorts of thoughts.
Normally, I actually enjoy that. Running gives me time to think, sort through problems, and occasionally come up with ideas that would never have occurred to me while sitting at my desk.
But this time, that was precisely what I wanted to avoid.
So I left my running shoes where they were. Without feeling guilty and without constantly worrying about how many training sessions I was missing.
The Rhein-City-Run Will Have to Wait
There are now just 14 days left until the Rhein-City-Run. Under normal circumstances, I’d be in the final stages of preparation. Instead, I’ve decided not to take part.
After such a long break, I’m simply not fit enough. Of course, I could try to struggle through the distance somehow. But what’s the point?
I run because I enjoy it. I like being outdoors, and I enjoy noticing that a familiar route feels a little easier than it did a few weeks earlier.
Dragging myself through a race without enough training, just so I can say I finished it, doesn’t make much sense to me.
I won’t miss the event entirely, though. My son will be taking part, and I’ll be there to cheer him on.
That will be a different perspective for a change. Instead of concentrating on my own pace and the kilometres ahead, I can relax and watch the other runners doing their best.
The First Run Is Done
Last Sunday, I finally put my running shoes back on and went out for a short run.
No training plan, no target distance, and, most importantly, no expectations about my pace.
It was slow, but surprisingly enjoyable. Naturally, I could tell that the break had taken its toll. My fitness isn’t where it used to be. But after several weeks without training, that hardly comes as a surprise.
What mattered much more was that I actually felt like running again.
I’m planning a few more short runs this week. I’ll gradually increase the distance and see how my body responds. For now, I’m not looking for another race to enter.
I certainly won’t regain my previous fitness after just three training sessions. But I’m confident that, with a little patience, I’ll get there.
And perhaps this break has reminded me of something worth remembering: having a training plan is a good thing, but it’s not a contract that has to be fulfilled at all costs.
Sometimes it makes more sense to let go of a running goal than to stubbornly hold on to it.
There will always be another race.
