I'm a big believer in the sanctity of the Sunday run. It's necessary, it has to be long and it has to be enjoyable.
When I worked at Up and Running, Neil my colleague said that he didn't understand why runners after racing on Saturday insist with Sheldon Cooper like (not his exact words) steadfastness in going out and putting in a long and steady effort. The argument is clear, at some point that mileage becomes dead mileage because it ceases to be useful. For some reason I just disagreed, with the same sense of steadfastness, maybe after years of long Sunday runs I've adopted the Scott Jurek approach that 'sometimes we just do things'. However after considering it during and after this morning's run I think I've figured out why it's so intrinsically important to me as a runner and also as a person.
I find that Sunday runs are the best way of recharging my batteries both mentally and physically. There is no pressure to perform (which generally leads to running very well) and it's literally running for the enjoyment of running. In a results orientated world it's very easy to flog yourself between workouts because on Tuesday you wanted to run 6.30 minutes per mile but you could only manage 6.45s. You then go into the next session more likely to overcook it, which generally leads to overtraining, injury or falling out of enthusiasm towards the thing you love. The Sunday run is the great equaliser, it's the relative that doesn't care what you are doing in life, it's just happy to see you. I've always found that long runs really boost my mental energy and lift my mood a few degrees, settling into a rhythm where every footstep is the only imminent thing to think about for the next 3 hours is mindfulness in action.
Perhaps I'm spoiled because when I look out over the Chew, the two routes which appeal to me most are all the way around the edges from Alphin to Ashway then up Alderman and along to Pots and Pans (The Chew Valley Skyline) or the route which goes to the same points but takes in more of the great ascents of the Chew, so the ascents of Wimberry, Alderman and the Dovestone and the descents of Foxstone and Alphin. Both these routes are spectacular for instilling a feeling of mindfulness and taking you away from everything else and in order to truly appreciate them you need to do the full lot in one, and by the time you've done it's still bloody hard work. It's like listening to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, yes Zero is a great tune, as are all the songs on that album, but the complete experience gives it something more simply because it is complete, you have to feel the peaks and troughs and you get a completely different experience.. I feel the same about my favourite places in the Chew, yes I love running Alphin to Wimberry but there is something extra special about taking the time out to do the whole lot, the ascent of Wimberry is just spectacular having smashed down the track from Chew and swung the left ovet the footbridge. Spiritually it's like doing the Madeliene, Telegraph and then the Galibier, it's just right. Sundays are the perfect day for this, there's no need to fret about pushing on to the next place, just take five minutes at the top of each hill and look out at the wonderful playground made for your body to enjoy.
Today's run was probably the most enjoyable Sunday run I've had in around 18 months. Spring definitely feels like it is settling in and it brings like minded people with it. It's amazing to see so many people out enjoying the hills, the hustle and bustle of cities and work can be reduced to peace and serenity in a 20 minute train ride, how more people don't buy into what it is to 'be' will always confuse me, especially when it's on their doorstep. The sun was warm again which is lovely after a rather miserable Winter, the first signs of Spring bring with them ideas and new life to my running plans. I've practically decided that my racing schedule this year will be Rivington Pike, Moel Eilio and then a big build up to Snowdon where I want to go really well, over the Summer I might stick a lakeland classic in (be it Wasdale or Borrowdale) and then I want to end the season with the Peris Horseshoe, a race which has really gripped my imagination for years. As an aside, to anyone who has never taken the time to go and discover the mountains in North Wales, do, it's where I feel at my fullest running! Sometimes you need the hours on your feet to think and be free and make your decisions based from a perspective of true appreciation of the beauty of what you are doing otherwise plans like training come fast and frantic. I feel refreshed and ready for the next week, it's put me in a great place to go and log some serious mileage next week and build up to the first serious races of the season. So that's why I think I and so many other runners believe in the sanctity of the Sunday run, it's a tine for enjoyment and relaxation (not necessarily by running slow) and it brings each week round into a full cycle which is very important when we can get lost in big targets or blocks of training.
Auf Wiedersehn (as that means till we meet again and I certainly do intend to, thanks Dr Schultz)
Link to the Route de Chew (11.3 miles, 3100ft) https://www.strava.com/activities/193908006
