Dialing back

Last week was the first week in two months that I ran less than the week before. I skipped three days (though I did spinning and walking on two of them), and the longest run was 4 and a half miles.

Part of that was because I was at a conference in Boston this weekend … but not really. Most of it was because I’ve been feeling sore and bored. Mostly bored. I’ve had to do the majority of my runs on a treadmill because it is so bone-chillingly cold outside. And that’s started to make running feel more like a chore.

On my friend Jennifer’s advice, I got the book ChiRunning, by Danny Dreyer.

I haven’t finished reading it yet — really, I’m just at the first few chapters — but I’m already sold. It affirms a lot of things I’ve already been thinking about running — that it’s better to work towards a more efficient form than work on powering through them. I’ve observed the same thing with swimming from years of being a lifeguard — it takes a lot more strength to have an inefficient stroke.

This book is so good, just reading the passages on focusing your breathing has relaxed me so much that I’ve fallen asleep. Twice. (Yes, I know that doesn’t sound like a good thing …)

I don’t want to waste too much (digital) ink on this book yet ‘cause I’m sure I’ll write more about it later.

Off to the dreadmill … where I plan on listening to this on heavy rotation:

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.