Breaking the Habit

In what seems to be a series of posts on training smarter I can't but notice another nuance. I've got to train more, no matter what. This means change. The time at which i train, where i train, it's all changing due to volume.

I'm trying to go as long as i can before I have to resort to the treadmill in the basement. This leaves running in the dark as the only way to get a run in. Due to where i live, the roads, lack of street lights, it's forced me to find a new route. This seem obvious but for someone that has run essentially the same route for 12 years, this is big, and as a result, exhilarating.

Last Sunday I had to go long, I didn't have a route planned and it was dark so I had to stick to roads in town that had street lights. I had a head lamp but country roads with cars going 55 was out of the question. So I improvised, making up the route as I went along. There was one point where I realized how cool it was, reminiscent of all the runs I've done while out of town on business. Getting to know the streets I've lived around for years make for a very fulfilling run.

And so there it is, no longer can i be a creature of habit. It's a great concept but a delicate one. Too many rules to follow. The freedom that comes with winging it seems to be working and knowing there is nothing hindering a workout is key.

In conclusion, habitual behavior has it's place, equipment storage, diet, gear, but route; no more.