On weekdays, I like to do my runs right after I get home from work. On those days when I have evening events, I try to go running over lunchtime instead. I am very fortunate that my office in downtown Chicago is just blocks away from Millennium Park and Grant Park, as well as the lakefront path. It's beautiful scenery.
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| Unfortunately it's less scenic in the wintertime. |
Lunchtime runs create other complexities, though. It feels like a bit of a waste to shower at home before going in to work, only to need another shower right after lunchtime. I don't have the luxury of taking my time since I don't want to be away from my desk for too long. Also, for some reason my lunchtime runs rarely go very well - my pace is usually slower than normal, and I just don't feel as good. But I figure that a lackluster run is still better than nothing.
For the record, even on days when I don't run I don't just sit at my desk. At minimum, I make it a point to still do frequent laps in between my desk and the office candy jar. That has to count for something, right?
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| OK. But only if you insist. |
It is difficult to get myself motivated for a lunchtime run. You would think that I would enjoy the opportunity to be away from my desk and get some fresh air and scenery - but I usually have to drag myself out the door. I am not one of those people who is energized after doing a lunchtime run, either. For me, it's more just pure relief to have the run taken care of when time wouldn't permit otherwise.
When I'm home and don't feel like doing something (working is the most typical example), I generally procrastinate by cleaning. Then on weekends, usually I want to go running before doing anything else, including cleaning and working. However, when I'm in the office, all of a sudden I procrastinate on going for a run by working!
It's a very convoluted procrastinational structure with a delicately intermingled ecological balance.
I really do love running... just not during lunch. And I can't pinpoint why or how to make it better. However, I do have several hypotheses:
Is it just the whole "grass is greener" idea where no matter what you should be doing, you feel like doing something else?!?!?
Am I perhaps enacting a self-fulfilling prophesy based on my history of consistently lackluster lunchtime runs?!?!?
Is it a case of misaligned psychological motivations, in line with the scientific theories of A. H. Maslow?!?!?
Do I need to improve my warm up and pre-run fueling routine with more trips to the candy jar?!?!?
Any other hypotheses???
LOL, I love all your hypotheses. :) I don't prefer to run during lunch because it takes 10 mins to get to the Lakefront from my office, my boss watched the clock and I feel rushed! I usually do feel better when I get back. I just have to keep reminding myself that I will :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! It is not fun at all when you are rushed and when the boss is watching the clock! It takes a lot of the joy out of running, in my opinion. =( (When I'm rushed, I skip the post-run stretching routine, which is super bad!)
DeleteFunny... I do Lunch runs too, well they are more like in between class runs. One would think these would go better for me because I am in the city...a much flater run, and better sights..Heinz field, Consol energy (where the Pens play, the rivers...etc...and they always stink. Personally, I think its the idea that you *have* to go back to "work"...and your rushed to do that...but who know!! :)
ReplyDeleteJulie - I think you hit the nail on the head with the feeling of HAVING to go back to WORK afterwards. And to me it's funny to say the city of Pittsburgh is much flatter - I think it's very hilly! But in comparison to that monster hill by your house that you traverse on a regular basis, I guess it is much flatter. It's all about perspective, right? =)
DeleteHilarious...your right perspective!
DeleteDuring the week I run in the morning...any other plan never turns into a reality. I have a tough time running at lunch because I'm either starving by then and won't have a good run or had to eat something and then don't feel like running on a full stomach. Also, by the time I've packed up my hairdryer, makeup, towel, shampoo, conditioner, brush, yadda, yadda, yadda, I feel like a pack mule going into work. Too much prep for a lunch run. For those that do it - I give you a lot of credit...I think it would be nice to break up the work monotony and clear my brain on a lunch run.
ReplyDeleteI SO hear you on the food timing. I've gone on many a lunchtime run feeling hungry, which is never good. I've also delayed the lunchtime run after eating to allow some digestion time, but then longer I wait the less I feel like going. =/
DeleteI hear you on the pack mule feeling, too. I definitely have to take the, uh, minimalist approach on those days (it's a good thing that my cube is tucked away in the corner - it's easy for me to go into "hiding")!
Two differences between husband and wife exposed above...
ReplyDelete1) During lunch time I can only motivate myself to do one thing...eat lunch.
2) I have never procrastinated another activity...by cleaning.
1) For you, though, lunch is a sacred hour of relaxation with esteemed coworkers. I know that lunch is nonnegotiable!
Delete2) For me, desperate times call for desperate measures. When you REALLY want to procrastinate, you find a way!!!
I just saw this on I <3 to run... reminded me of this post... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2659611083297&set=a.1118617919431.2020031.1046493439&type=3&theater
ReplyDeleteHabe--thats hilarious...and I'd rather do ANYTHING instead of cleaning...
That picture is HILARIOUS. Thanks so much for sharing!
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