Running Happy =)


Brooks has a cool catch phrase: "Run Happy". I have been a long-time fan of Brooks and a big believer in the idea of running happy - discovering the little things (and big things) that make us smile along our running adventures.

While the idea of "Run Happy" always appealed to me, it has been a long time since I truly ran for the love of running. I have been caught up in the "9-5" of work and the crazy drives that accompanies my job. There were recent instances that brought back this "Run Happy" spirit to me:

1. Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Pacer Meeting: I am volunteering as a pacer for a half marathon in the fall and the pacer program is sponsored by Brooks. When I arrived, I was greeted by a slew of friendly faces and exciting individuals. Just being there and hearing them talk made me itch to run again. It was like a breath of fresh, "Run Happy" air!

2. Yesterday's spontaneous run: Yesterday I had to get to my car at the GO station. So I threw on my shoes and jogged the 2 km to the station. My legs felt a lot heavier than normal. Yet my spirit felt lighter. By the end of it, I wanted to keep running to the gym, but Reason intervened and I drove there so I could make it back in time for a little birthday thing afterwards.

The gym itself was a "Run Happy" experience. While I wasn't running, I also wasn't destroying my body nor was I lazily moving between machines. The workout was light and refreshing. I felt a slight burn, but consciously held myself back from going heavier or going for more reps, knowing that my body needed to gradually build up strength and endurance again. Patience and consistency was key.

Here's what I did last night at the gym:

1000 m row (warm-up, <2:00 m="" p="" pace="">
3 sets of: 10 shoulder press/10 bicep curls (25 lbs DBs)
3 sets of: 10 lunges (25 lbs DBs)
5 sets of: 5 deadlifts/1 hang squat clean/5 front squats (135 lbs)
3 sets of: 5 strict pull-ups

Nothing fancy. Nothing heavy. Nothing stupid. Just one day at a time.

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