Running Naked

No not literally, get your mind out of the gutter.

Appropriate.

For the past few months I’ve been running Garmin-less.  I was SO excited when I got my Garmin but shortly after I realized it freaked me out.  I became obsessed with looking at my watch.  I know we’ve all been there, running and staring at your wrist.  I decided to give it up. Whenever I saw how fast I was running I would freak out and think “How can I possibly be running that fast??”. So I stopped wearing it and listened to my body.  For the most part, I think I got faster because I wasn’t thinking and worrying about how fast I was going.  I listened to my body, I knew what felt easy and when I need to push.

Now I’m starting to rethink my decision.  The past weekends 5K I went in with a “I don’t care I’m just going to run” type of attitude.  No specific training, no speed work, just running. I hit mile 1 at 8:15 and it felt easy. Why did I pull out my earbud to hear the callers time? Because I wanted to know.  I needed to know… but was it the right decision? I immediately went into panic mode, even though it felt easy.  I reverted back to beginner running mode and told myself “too fast, slow down”, which I did… and it leaded to a stomach cramp, which I think I created from freaking out.  The whole “running naked” has been fun, but it’s now time to whole myself accountable.  I freaked out because I didn’t think I could how out that pace, even though I probably do during regular runs when I’m Garmin-less.

Pretty watch, stop makin’ me crazy.

So, from now on I will be wearing my Garmin and PUSHING myself to believe that I can do it.  If I know the exact times that I’m running during my normal run than I’ll know when to push and what is normal during a race, right?

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with my post BUT it was too pretty not to share. A Long Island sunset.

Do you always run with your Garmin? Or do you go through periods without your watch?

Also, don’t forget to vote for me in the Face of Fitness contest!

Until next time,

Run Hard, Run Long, Run Strong.