Running with a purpose
a purpose to get somewhere
Is it bad that I planned a running route to Kohl’s yesterday? Was it appropriate for me to shop after a run? I wasn’t trying on anything, I was looking for something specific (quick trip – no browsing), and didn’t get completely soaked in sweat since it’s a bit cooler out. That makes it okay, right?
Honestly, I don’t care. I just needed something to add purpose to my run. I have run circles in my neighborhood maybe two times in the past 30 days and that was enough for me – it’s a bit BORING. I like runs that get me somewhere (especially somewhere new!) and was inspired by Pam’s town-to-town 15-miler. Gotta save those boring, safe runs for the winter time.
Do you ever run with the purpose of getting somewhere specific? Or run your errands?
Sort of related, Training Week posts for weeks 150, 152 and 153 are sitting in my drafts folder, unpublished. I did between 4-5 workouts those weeks, and didn’t really think that was worth posting… which is silly. I struggle a lot with feeling like I get enough workouts in each week. I feel that I need to workout a lot, since I am heavy for my height. But I don’t need to. It’s not doing anything for me. What I need to do is eat less.
I had to tell someone about this, because it bothered me so much. Last night, during my run, I was waiting at a busy intersection for the walk sign. A high school runner (he had a jersey on) from the other side ran through traffic. A car came very close to hitting him, and the car passenger yelled something offensive at him I wish I had not heard. Both the runner and the car were being stupid and it left me feeling very bothered. Why did the kid have to run across traffic when cars were barreling down the street? Why did the passenger in the car have to yell something so nasty at him, after the driver had honked? I got the feeling (based on the reaction of the other high school runner actually waiting for the walk sign) that this is some silly game they play, based on the smirks on their faces. And I know how the driver felt. I know I would be upset if someone ran out in front of my car!
Themocracy
I definitely run with a purpose! I’ll pick new neighborhoods in the city, or places where I need to run errands, and plan routes around it. It definitely breaks up the monotony!
As long as you weren’t trying anything on… lol I live in a really rural area, several miles from town, so unless it’s a LONG run, I really can’t run anywhere with a purpose. I guess I could have done my grocery shopping before I called D to pick me up Sunday. lol My run DID end at Walmart…
Exactly! I tried NOTHING on. And the selection was not as good as I was hoping anyway. Wah.
Do you think you will do another long run to Walmart? Or is there something in the opposite direction?
I am past caring what strangers in public think about me when I am out in public after running. However, I do care what people I know think. Yesterday I went running and then stopped to get gas and it just happened that my boyfriend saw me and stopped to say Hi. I felt gross.
and I totally feel you on the working out. I feel like I never do enough…. but really if I stopped eating so much, it would work so much better.
You know what is funny about this, is that strangers (cashiers, workers in the store) noticed I had running clothes on and commented to me (multiple people) about how “nice” it was outside. And then Steven picked me up and was like “Are you taking a shower when you get home?” LOL.
I have to work out so much so my weight stays the same since I eat so much! Isn’t that sad?! UGHGHGHGH
Story of my life. I say “well I ran a lot this morning, so I can have a bowl of ice cream.” Which is turns into 2, or 4, bowls. Then the next day i feel like I have to kill it again to make up for what I ate the day before.
I see nothing wrong with that, except having to carry it home. 😉
And Steven gave me a ride home! 🙂
I don’t usually shop after running, but I’m often grabbing food on Wednesday nights after class. Once, I ran into Dani at the grocery store, all sweaty. Hehe…embarrassing…
That car/runner encounter must have been so unsettling! I hate being so close to things like that – it makes my heart do weird things…
I got mooed at on a run this week. I’m sure normal people would be embarrassed or find it as motivation or something, but I kind of forgot about it.
I love combining running with an actual errand! It makes running feel so functional.
That thing with the high school runner would have freaked me out, too. Why do people do stuff like that?
And don’t be so hard on yourself on the workouts – you are already so disciplined, you should feel proud of all you do instead of worrying you don’t do enough. Right now, for me, dealing with injuries and what seems to be turning into chronic pain, I am just so grateful for the things I can do…and at the same time I can’t believe how hard I was on myself when it all came so easy. We really take our bodies for granted, don’t we?
You’re right – I was injured two summers in a row then had two summers where I wasn’t – I need to remember to be thankful for my body! 🙂
Running with a purpose definitely has it’s perks and so nice to change up the scenery. I’ve been very bored lately too. That is awful if the darting out in traffic thing is a game. I get angry at idiotic drivers all the time but I’m at least doing everything by the book and not trying to mess with people!
I don’t think I ever run with a purpose. I don’t think I would want to do go anywhere after sweating all over the place. I rather go home.
Hope those HS kids wise up and stop thinking they are indestructible.
If planning my run to finish in front of Starbucks to get coffee and collapse on their chairs to soak up the sun qualifies as a purpose then yes. My long runs are just an excuse to get coffee 🙂 Though I have stopped at a grocery stop to get some fruit or milk or something many times on my way home after a run or the gym.
If I almost ran over a teenager, I would also yell and curse at him too. Probably in Greek because my English doesn’t really come handy when I get too scared or startled. It’s just that I have all these emotions (fear, stress, anger, etc.) that I just need to express them somehow. And I also need them to know that they did something stupid. Of course nothing of this might apply to the situation because you say that they somehow knew about each other, and let’s not forget that this is adolescents we’re talking about and they have no fully developed brains and they do all sorts of weird and stupid stuff.
I have frequently joked about running to and from work (about 22 miles each way) and it being faster than traffic. But i have yet to attempt it 🙂 Maybe one day?
Kids are stupid. They have to do these risky dangerous things to show how brave and grown up they are, when all that really happens is we all stare at them and think “what a stupid kid!”
You should go for it! Or bike? That would be cool 🙂
I think that is exactly what he was doing. I just watched in horror!
Ummm . . . I ran to the liquor store in the peak of summer. I see NO issue with running to Kohls when you’re not even all that sweaty. 🙂
I definitely think it’s ok to run into Kohls… particularly if you aren’t trying anything on. I don’t usually run any errands while I’m out running but I would consider it. People constantly feel the need to tell me my face is red when I haven’t even been running so it wouldn’t be too much different.
I have literally run errands before. Usually, though, I don’t do it when I’d have to carry something home. It can be a great way to multitask, though!
Do you think the driver should have said anything to the kid or just ignored it? I mean, of course he shouldn’t be rude but sometimes people don’t realize their impact on others unless the other person says something.
I think the honking was enough, because nothing useful could be said in that short amount of time. But I have got to hope that that kid realizes running in front of a car going 35mph has an effect on them when they are that close. Gah. I hope.
When my mileage starts to get high and it cools off I like to plan my long runs so that I meet my boyfriend or a friend for brunch. If it’s my boyfriend, I just ask him to bring a pre-packed bag with a change of clothes, deodorant, and my wallet. Not too bad at all. Plus, I get to think about all of the delicious food I get to have during my run!
No purposeful running here. I do try to include as many different soviets as possible though on my really long runs. How stupid of that runner. And the car too if they were being careless. Life is too short for that kind of BS.
Ha! Just noticed auto correct changed ‘suburbs’ to Soviets! I think I like that better!
That is funny, because I am just now getting ready to go for a run and I plan to drop a prescription off at CVS, run, and then pick it up. 🙂 I often make sure I’m wearing pants with pockets so I can shove money or my credit card in them if I want to make it an “errand” run.
This makes it sound like I run all the time which is completely not true. I have been good about running 3x a week generally, but today is the only day this week I’ll have time.
Diane! 3x a week?! That is so awesome! Good for you! Have you been enjoying it?
You. Are. Epic.
I think it’s great to have a destination/turn-around point in a long run! I always try to have a halfway point – it helps me mentally.
I run to the library or the grocery store all the time. I like making running my mode of transportation. I wish I could walk every where like in a big city.
I hate when runners run out in front of cars – I usually wait but I also hate when cars don’t look for pedestrians or share the road with runners. Ugg.
Hi Kim! I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time and I wanted to comment about your training posts…first, you do realize that most people workout zero times a week, right? You working out 4-5 times is inspiration! Second, even though you may be “heavy for your height” or you “need to eat less,” your body is insane. Seriously, some days you roll out of bed and say “Self, I’m going to run 20 miles today.” Any rest days you take are well earned! So, prop your feet up and write a post about making some vegan brownies! You deserve it.
Aww, Jess, thank you for commenting for the first time and leaving such a sweet comment! I think I really needed that reminder, so thank you. I keep forgetting I just did a 50K… it’s like I do one thing then plan the next without stopping to rest or reflect! I should do that over some brownies. I am going to Vegan Mania this Saturday 😉
Yes. I run lots of errands. I do things like mailing letters, picking up the car at the garage, going to Walgreens, and picking up a few groceries. If I do it in the evenings, it is a couple more miles that I can add to my morning miles!