I have this thing where anytime I go out for a run I default to three miles. Not two, not four…but an easy 5K. It’s been my “default distance” for as long as I can remember. Of course when I am in training programs for races I vary the distances to follow the plan but if I’m just going out to get a run in…it’s 3 miles 99% of the time. I know it will take me about 30 minutes and give me a good cardio workout.
It was 67 degrees, sunny and beautiful today so I decided that after months of three-milers I wanted to break the cycle. I ran five! It felt great. I am definitely more inclined to increase my mileage when conditions are favorable (basically…not cold!) so I hope to continue this beyond just today!
Do you have a default distance?
Onto the food…I met some girlfriends for brunch at Nolen Kithen after teaching yoga. They brought us chocolate scones with orange glaze to start.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the breakfast pita. Scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, spinach, feta and cucumber yogurt sauce in a warm pita. It was phenomenal!
Sullie took full advantage of the sunny day and soaked it up in the backyard. She joined me for half of the run.
I hit up Trader Joe’s after my run to stock up on CLEAN eats for the week. I am focusing on keeping things pretty focused on fruits, veggies and protein next week.
I went to an event at the yoga studio tonight so I didn’t get to cook dinner. I stopped by Whole Foods and made a salad/hot bar box with all sorts of random things.
I’ve been watching the JT Saturday Night Live in the background while writing this post. Pretty funny. Love him (still don’t love Suit and Tie though).
Have a great week!
Mine is also three miles. I’m not sure why either.
The JT SNL “Veganville” skit had my mom, sister, and I nearly in tears laughing! 🙂
So true, we all have our default distances. Mine is usually how ever far I can get in 60 minutes. And yum, that breakfast pita looks heavenly.
i wish i could get up to that hour time frame. the breakfast pita was ah-mazing.
I wasn’t a big fan of his new song either, but I loved his performance of it last night!
i did enjoy his performance even if i don’t love the song. he’s so fun to watch.
Are you wearing mizunos!? They look like it.. I’m currently on my right pair since they are my favorite running shoe ever!
Are you wearing mizunos!? They look like it.. I’m currently on my eight pair since they are my favorite running shoe ever!
yes, i just started wearing the wave elixir after being in brooks adrenaline for many, many years and i am in love!
I thought you had news to share… keeping us waiting a bit longer? 😉
oh not really news…just more details on weekend stuff. don’t get too excited! 😛
Yes! My default is……3 miles, haha.
I absolutely have a default distance – same as you, 3 miles. I never do less and often do more but my base is the minimum of 3!
My default is 3 miles too! It is just a comfortable distance. And, I agree with Suit and Tie… not a fan.
A few years ago my default was about 3 but as I increased my training I increase my default distance. I feel like my default now is about 5 miles. I have a nice and easy 5 mile route around my house which helps.
it is so helpful to have a familiar route. i have that too for my three miles. i need to come up with a default 5 miler!
My default distance is always between 6-7km because I can run that really comfortably during my lunch hour and still have time to dry off, change and be ready to work afterwards. I’m jealous I don’t have a Trader Joe’s where I live, that stuff all looks so good 🙁
that’s so nice that you can run on your lunch break! trader joe’s is a fun store. i can’t really do ALL my shopping there but I go about 1x per month to stock up.
My default distance it 5 miles. If given the option any day of the week that’s how far I’ll run. I actually really dislike 3 miles not sure why. I don’t mind running 2 or 4, but 3 is just hard. Sadly that’s whats on my schedule today.
that is so funny that you dislike three so much! i would love to work up to a mental base of 5 miles.
My default distance is the same! Your eats look so good!
My default distance is 5 miles, along the same route. But… my dog and I are getting in the habit of doing it twice in a row! (And our record is four… people must think we’re crazy running up and down the same piece of greenway again and again.) Oh and I have those same shoes! Love MIzunos.
i usually run the same route in my neighborhood too. so funny about you repeating it…four times is pretty impressive! the shoes are awesome! 🙂
My default distance is 4 miles because that’s about exactly how long it is from our house to the greenway that loops around a golf course and back. It’s the perfect run! Sometimes it can get a little boring though.
kira – i also have a tried and true route in my neighborhood and rarely stray from it. it does get boring at times but i can really zone out and just go.
I default to 5 miles, so I can stop at 4 if I need to. It helps to have the same routes for each time!
5 miles is my default distance when I’m not following a training plan. It takes me at least 2 miles to even start enjoying the run (ha) so 5 is pretty perfect.
Those chocolate scones look DELISH! Heading to my client’s house tonight who I REALLY REALLY hope made those cookies that you posted last week. 🙂 It’s gotten warmer here, but nowhere near 67. Glad you got a nice run in. Have a great Monday!
Three miles (5K) is my default distance too. I am set to train for the Bolder Boulder 10K in late May so I’ll have to get out of my comfort zone in the next few months! It’s the perfect way to challenge myself. JT’s Veganville had me in stitches too. I like the more mature side of JT. His big band sound and back up dancers reminded me of how entertaining watching Bruno Mars is too. I hope his new CD has some dancey-dance tunes a la “Rock My Body”!
i like the big band stuff too. it was fun to watch! good luck with your 10K training. sounds like a fun race!
Totally default to three as well. Funny!
That egg wrap sounds amazing! And Sullie looks like such a little love basking there in the sun- what a sweetie!
If you want to know why I haven’t commented in a while… I cannot bare to read about all my Southern people who are outside in shorts and it is snowing in Omaha. DEPRESSING. I will live vicariously through you 🙂
haha – i feel for you! i can’t imagine. sending warm thoughts your way!
My default is 5 k- easy, gets you sweating and doesn’t take too long! Those scones look AMAZING!
My default distance is also 3 miles. My OCD almost always requires me to do things in even numbers/increments, but I just like 3. 2 is too short, and 4 takes too long………3 is perfect!! 🙂
girl, i am SO the same way!
Jen,
I’ve been a loyal reader for more than a year now, and I just love your blog. I recently began training for my first 10-miler April 7 (I previously have only ever run 5Ks), and I’m up to the point where I can run 5 miles pretty comfortably at a 10-min-mile pace. However, last week I developed an awful pain behind my knee on one leg (my knee pit, basically) that hurts with every step I take, even walking. Have you ever experienced this? I now know what you mean when you describe the let-down you experience with an injury while training. I’m wondering if I should take it easy or push through the pain, knowing that I have a long way to go distance-wise and only 3.5 weeks to do it. I appreciate any advice!
Discouraged,
Jill
hey jill,
is the pain behind your knee cap or actually in the back of the knee?
DO NOT train through the pain. you have the best chance of letting an acute injury heal if you rest it immediately. when you train through injuries they usually end up being long-term things.
most knee pain starts with increasing your mileage too quickly or increasing run frequency without allowing proper rest time.
i am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with this. i know it’s such a bummer!
It’s actually the back of my knee, which makes me think its a torn muscle or tendon, nothing in the bone itself (whew).
I went to a running store yesterday and they did a gait analysis, but they all seem to think I just pushed too hard too quickly. When I sat and thought about it, I had to admit to myself that I was steadily and quickly increasing my pace and mileage, but never going back down to “easy” runs in between. I’ve been so focused on trying to make it up to 10 miles before April 7, but I think I realized I need to just pace myself a little bit more!
I plan to take the rest of this week off and stretch/do yoga, and then head out for a nice easy run on Sunday. If I have to walk some of the race or don’t make it in my dream time, I need to just get over it! Very discouraging though!
Thank you SO much for your advice!