One of the perks about having a blog is being able to look back and see exactly what I was doing this time last year (or the year before). In terms of workouts, I can’t believe how much my style of workouts has evolved. For starters, I was running a lot a year ago: 4 days a week and clocking in 8-10 kilometers per session would barely phase me. As for now, I’m running twice a week and anything more than 5 km seems like a “long” run.
I still love & enjoy running, but I’ve also started to embrace other ways of staying fit. That being said I had a GREAT run on Tuesday morning! Because both our gyms were shut for Diwali, my good friend Maneka & I planned to meet on Marine Drive at 7:30 am. Part of me questioned our sanity for voluntarily waking up early on a day off, but you know what they say: You’re only one run away from a good mood…heck we were one run away from the best mood!
Although I usually run solo, I loved being able to turn running into a social activity. In terms of speed, we maintained a steady, conversational pace and the time flew by! I am usually a treadmill runner so running at a consistent pace is foreign to me- I need to keep alternating speeds to stay entertained. We ended up running a total of 8 km, which is the longest I’ve done since my 10 km in June. Running with a friend was just the motivation I needed to push through that 6 km rut I’ve been stuck on lately. I have no idea how long it took nor do I care…all that matters is that we did it, and enjoyed it!
I know the treadmill gets a bad rep but it does have its perks, especially as it’s not time-sensitive. In other words, I don’t have to run early enough to beat the heat. That being said, from now until March the weather in Mumbai is fortunately becoming more runner-friendly i.e. it’s starting to cool down. I’m looking forward to taking more of my upcoming runs outdoors.
Thanks again Manny for a great run…let’s do it again next week- same time, same place? 🙂
How have your workouts evolved over the years/months?
That’s one of the reasons I love blogging as well. 🙂
And I have gone from a cardio queen to more of a strength based workout person. Also, I have less time than I did in the past, so short, high intensity workouts are key!
Have a great weekend, K!
Thanks to you, I’m all about tabata workouts when time is an issue :)!
I am all about running and have been meaning to work on my strength based workout but i get bored so easily. and I hate treadmill so much- i dont know how you have patience to bear with that machine- i feel like treadmill is controlling me arghh!! run on marina drive sounds awesome-
Haha I know I know- my appreciation for the treadmill doesn’t scream normal ;)! Try listening to podcasts while you’re on it- helps the time pass by quicker!
I have to say, I now force myself on the treadmill at least once a week for some great interval work. it really is a good option so I don’t hate it anymore.
I much prefer doing speed work on the treadmill, especially as I don’t own a Garmin! It helps me gauge my performance much more clearly!
I definitely agree that one of the best parts of blogging is being able to look back and see what you were doing. Unfortunately, I wasn’t blogging around this time last year, but I’m hoping/planning (fingers crossed!) to still be around at this time next year, so maybe I’ll be able to look back then 🙂
I do know that my workouts changed a lot over the past year though… I used to do a lot more intense strength/running routine and after experiencing some serious burnout, I decided to cut down on the intensity and just start walking daily and getting in random bouts of activity whenever I can. Maybe that will change again in the next year, but it works for now 🙂
I hope you’ll be around this time next year too :)! I’ve definitely started to appreciate walking a lot more in the past few months!
Very nice!!
I actually don’t mind the treadmill too much. It’s a nice change from the weather, and you get to entertain yourself with some TV most times right? 😀
I’ve had to adapt and change quite a bit in the last 6 months due to injury , so I haven’t been running as much as before I had to grow to accept the elliptical and bike!(which I just really dislike!!)
Sorry to hear about your injury but glad to hear that you have altered your workout routine accordingly! When I injured my leg last year, I was so stubborn and kept running which only made matters worse!
I would loovee to run that road with you guys!! How amazing. It’s getting so cold in my area that I have been slacking out outdoor runs. Even thought I KNOWW they always make me feel so good!
As crazy as it sounds, I LOVE running outdoors when it’s cold! The first few minutes are painful but once I get in the groove (and warm up), I love the crispness of the air!
I love that phrase “One workout away from a great mood”! That could be a mantra!
That’s definitely my favorite workout mantra- the promise of endorphins always does the trick :)!
Nice job on your 8 km! 🙂
I actually like the treadmill too! Except I haven’t been running much lately because my knee is still bothering me and my running stamina has gone wayyyy down. So I’ve been doing lots of strength training/ellipticalling/incline walking – I miss running though!
Sorry to hear about your knees. I don’t know how true it is but I’ve heard that incline walking can put strain on our knees…it might be worth looking into!
hahaha…that heat and humidity quote one is awesome and so true! i’ve had people comment when i was running by in the summer, “oh it’s so nice out, perfect time to go running, nice and sunny!” and i’ve shot back, “uumm, no way, let’s make it about 20 degrees cool!” 😉
it took me a bit to get used to the tready but now i actually love it sometimes, great for getting into the zone and give me a TV and i’m set. 🙂
Hahaha for real! When it comes to running, “nice” & “sunny” should not be in the same sentence ;)!
Haha well thankfully I wasn’t blogging when I was a runner, or that would be cringe-worthy to read back on. As you know, I used to run 10km+ every single day. I think in the past two years, the longest I’ve run is maybe 2km? And only a handful of times at that. It bores me to tears now!
Haha just reading that you ran 10km daily for 2 years makes my calves & quads cry in agony for you!
I’m so envious of your warm running weather! It’s been 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit here lately, which is far too *cold* for outdoor running. I shouldn’t really complain though, seeing as that I almost always work out at the gym. I think I favor using machines because I can easily control my pace and intensity (all while watching my favorite TV shows!) 😉 That said, I enjoy exercising outdoors far more than indoors–especially when I’m doing it with a friend. That camaraderie makes a huge difference, and helps me “push through,” when I want to quit.
I’m so glad you had such a fantastic run with Manny, and hope that you two will be able to make it a weekly occurrence! Like you, I really enjoy running, and think that it actually provides the optimal post-workout “high.” However, I don’t run nearly as much as I used to; I’ve traded many of my miles for weights, and am now thoroughly enjoying the balance between the two!
Agreed about the endorphin high! As much as I love lifting weights and leave on a high of being able to lift heavier gradually, there’s something about a runners’ high which cannot be beat….that alone is getting me excited me about tomorrow’s run :)!
I always run on the treadmill because I don’t like running outside…I’m weird like that! Having a great run is the best feeling in the world.
Haha we must be weird together- I am not so bothered about the whole “running in the same spot” aspect of the treadmill!
i love blogging as well, but more to see what I cooked this time last year… haha. don’t think my workouts have really invovled, they are still pretty consistent, but i should push myself a bit more to obtain a more hard body.
Marine drive looks really pretty at night, i give you so much credit for waking up at 7 am on Diwali!!!
I love driving through Marine Drive at night- it’s actually referred to as the Queen’s necklace because of the street lights which form an arc at night…so pretty :)!
I have gone from working out like a mad person (not in a good way) to becoming far less stringent about things. And I am a much happier person and my weight is what it was in high school.
Such a beautiful picture!
I’m glad you’ve found a balance in terms of mental health & workouts….I can see myself become more lax with my workouts and I am actually more than okay it!
Ohhhh mine has definitely evolved! I started out as a runner because I was told that was the BEST exercise ever…. but because I hated it i ended up quitting. Then i tried kickboxing, then yoga, bootcamp, and lots of other things in between. Today, it’s mostly weight lifting and I love it!
I did use to exercise first thing in the morning though and while it was hard to get over the initial feeling of “why am i getting up at this hour”… the feeling afterwards and for the rest of the day was great!
I hate when I hear a certain exercise being deemed as “best”….the best exercise is one that brings pleasure to the person doing it, so surely it’s subjective right! Love weight training too 🙂
Can totally relate to this! A year ago I was seriously heavy into my half-marathon training and was running an average of 40 K a week 😐 These days I’m focusing more on strength training but am still participating in a bunch of runs and races – balance is key. I think back then I was so worried about not being able to run the distance when it came to it so I started training super early. I don’t regret it but I’m glad I’ve made room for other things in terms of fitness like gym workouts and fitness/yoga classes.
Sounds like you had a great run! I’m usually a solo runner but a buddy would definitely push me to go further 🙂
That’s great you’ve found a better workout balance, Nada! Have you noticed a change in the quality of your runs?