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Everything seems to circle back to the pandemic and running is not immune. With no races (except virtual, and we are all pretty much over those) to train for I have cut back on my mileage and am pleased to say I’m loving it. I’ve been running 3 or 4 miles on my regular runs with my long runs being 6 or 8 miles. Here’s a few things I’m loving about shorter runs.

I can do anything for 30 or 40 minutes.

It is a whole lot easier to get out the door when I know I’m only doing 3 or 4 miles. It’s like work when we pick up an 8 hour shift as opposed to our usual 12 hours, we call them princess shifts. Short runs are my princess runs. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had hard 3 mile runs and easy 10 mile runs but I’d rather have a sucky 3 miler over a 10  miler any day.

I tend to run faster on shorter runs.

I’ve trained for a ton of long distance races and I’ve learned to run my long runs slow. Even if I want to pick up my pace my body is like “No, we have a long way to go.” 😉 But on short runs I take off much faster knowing I only have 30 or 40 minutes on the road.

There’s more variety on a short run.

Short runs are great for fartleks (my favorite), intervals, tempo runs, hill repeats or track workouts. Yes you can throw in some fartleks on a long run but my long runs are usually slow and steady. These training techniques add variety as well as speed and endurance for that long distance race that will hopefully be in the near future. Fingers crossed.

I can squeeze in a short run on almost any day.

I only run on my days off because my shift starts at 6 am, but occasionally I work at 9 am which gives me time to relax with my coffee before I squeeze in a quick run. When I was training for my BQ I was pretty strict about my training and managed to get up in the wee hours to run 13 miles before work but that was one time. I prefer to lounge a bit before I head out. 🙂

No need to worry about fuel (or anything really).

Just about anyone can run for under an hour with little or no fuel. I almost always have coffee and a Cliff bar before a run but that’s really out of habit. With a 3 or 4 mile run there’s no need to worry about taking gels or water with me. Really I could leave my ear buds at home and be okay without music or a podcast for 30 minutes. Long runs require so much more preparation. Short runs are worry free.

Having said this you know I’ll be the first one to jump on the long distance training band wagon when it comes around, but for now I’m going to make the most of my “easy” short runs.

How about you, are you putting in long runs or taking it easy with shorter runs?

I’m linking with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Zenaida and Jenn for Fit Five Friday.

Thanks for reading!

       Denise