Sometimes I'm interested in heading out for a run and focusing on NOT stopping (other than for water, etc. obviously) because I want to mimic what it feels like to not stop when I'm running my next race. Train my brain or something like that. I used to really care about this a lot.
But I've realized that if you don't sometimes go on runs just for run and take little breaks to look around, you'll miss out on life:
In the "olden days" I would have just blown right past this moment in time on my run!
What do you think of "pausing" during a run?
Obviously I think there is absolutely no problem with stopping for water breaks, etc. even during important runs, although that might not necessarily happen on a run up to 8 miles where I usually don't drink/eat. I've learned to LOVE doing it on some of my relaxation runs if I see something that I want to soak up or snoop at. I used to think it'd make it impossible to start back up, but it doesn't at all. You just gotta try it!
I too like to push pause sometimes and take time to enjoy the world around me, beautiful picture.
ReplyDeleteAgree--don't we run to be outside and enjoy the scenery (or at least sometimes)? I always tell myself that I may not be able to do this forever or that I may never be running here again (eg: when I was out in CA this summer) so I should enjoy it while I can. I don't stop on tempos or workouts, but any other time, a min here or there is just fine by me.
ReplyDeleteIf I am going for a long & easy run I will often stop and pause to look at the surrounding around me. Sometimes I take a photo too if I have my phone with me. I also a lot of times will use that as my water break too!
ReplyDeleteI try not to stop but I catch so many signals on my runs that I am forced to run. I carry me water with me so I drink while I am waiting at the signals. Sometimes I even run through the red lights if it is safe! If I had something this beautiful to stop and look at then I would stop and take it all in as well!
ReplyDeleteGood point. Sometimes when I'm taking a water break at the track I'll find myself in a conversation with track walkers. It used to bother me at the time it would take up, but now I try to relax and go with the flow. Little things like random conversations help break things up!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo! Unless you're doing a really hard workout where you're meant to hold a certain effort for a certain time, I don't think stopping will affect your fitness much. And isn't one of the joys of running getting to enjoy being outside? I definitely try to focus on enjoying the scenery on every run I do. I also think that's why I sometimes enjoy races that I'm just running for fun more than I do races where I'm trying to get a PR.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, that photo is breathtaking and is the exact reason why we should pause during our runs. I feel that as runners, we often go through life at a fast pace without noticing the little things.
ReplyDeleteLove this! That photo is stunning! I usually stop and take a few photos on my outside runs. It keeps me mentally happy (which I think prevents injuries too). But, I won't take photos or stop if I'm in the middle of doing a certain paced workout because then it would undermine the purpose of the workout.
ReplyDeleteI love this :)
ReplyDeleteI am the same way, for some reason I cannot justify "stopping" because I think that my run doesn't count when I stop...dumb! Lately, I've been trying to stop and look around, or snap a pretty pic because life is too short to take so seriously :) Great pic!
Pretty picture! I need to stop and look around more!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I don't like to stop on my runs...it's just a mental thing because I want to get as close to mimicking races as possible. That being said, I'm no longer obsessive about not stopping during runs. Certain runs (speed work, long runs) I don't like to stop, but most other ones it's fine. Let's all live a little!
ReplyDeleteIf its a workout, stopping is out of the question. But I'm not opposed to stopping otherwise. Used to stop for a dip in Lake Michigan all the time in the summer to cool off on hot days, felt amazing.
ReplyDeleteTried running long runs with a local group a few times, but stopped meeting up with them because they wanted to stop every 4-5 miles to refuel. Wouldn't have been so annoying if the stops weren't the 8-10 minutes they would take. Seemed to just tack on a lot of extra time for the workout and not for those long runs the accumulated fatigue feeling that should happen.
I really like pausing when I am running in a new spot. I like to take it all in and it really helps me appreciate being on the run in the first place when I can catch a pretty sunrise or a nice view. But usually I just zoom by and have no idea what is around me lol
ReplyDeleteThat picture is beautiful!! I run around my area and there aren't really a lot of pretty things like that to look at but I definitely wouldn't mind pausing to capture that moment! My pauses are usually related to wanting to use the bathroom or because I'm in pain haha.
ReplyDeleteI oftern take the time to look at the flowers on a long run on the mountains and with only a cell phone to take pictures I still snap away... That said I have been thinking about charging the batteries in my proper camera and then I will be making even more stops...
ReplyDeleteI too love to stop and take in the sights around me especially during the warmer months...blessings!
ReplyDeletehttp://runningsurvivor.blogspot.com/
I love stopping on a run! It's actually my husband and my choice of a workout. There's so much to explore here in Richmond you would miss it if you ran all the time!
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