Comments on: On not running every day

By: Celeste

Celeste — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 00:55:25 +0000

I set a goal of biking 1000 miles this year during cycling season: 12 weeks in the spring and 10 in the fall (went on a high-altitude vacation for two weeks in fall, so no biking then). I’m at 860 miles so things are looking good, but I don’t think I’ll do this again. It has gotten me out more, but also pushes me to make a pleasant 20-mile ride a 26-mile ride, even though I feel done. Or an easy 10-miler has to be a 20-miler. Not right for me right now.

By: Saturday Bonus October Edition – ELISABETH FROST

Saturday Bonus October Edition – ELISABETH FROST — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 17:58:41 +0000

[…] walk with a friend each week. But in terms of running, it feels far from a habit. In keeping with Laura Vanderkam’s belief that doing anything 3x per week makes it a habit, in November I’m going to aim to run […]

By: Sarah K

Sarah K — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 04:59:39 +0000

You are working and doing major house project. When we were building our house the only “hobby” I made time for was drinking wine. I think you are doing well to be getting any exercise at all.

By: Kamala

Kamala — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 19:21:31 +0000

In reply to Elisabeth. Goal vs Value : great perspective ... thanks for sharing that.

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 17:21:30 +0000

I loved following your running streak! The most consistent I tend to be in my running is if I’m training for a marathon (even a half marathon I can pull off with minimal training due to my long history of running and coaching). This is despite the fact that I also find I’m in a better mood when I run that day. I need to focus on the 3 days a week habit because that would give me more consistency for sure – plus I’d like to incorporate lifting/strength training 3 days a week because I’m also not consistent with that!

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 16:46:57 +0000

In reply to Elisabeth.

@Elisabeth – yep, if you run three times a week, you are a runner. That seems fairly doable! And I’m glad the blogging is going strong 🙂

By: Elisabeth

Elisabeth — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 15:17:08 +0000

Laura, you already know how much I love your 3x/week makes a habit rule! It’s how I finally launched the blog I’d been dreaming of for years.

I’ve been feeling glum about how little I’ve been running lately. I ran exactly once in October. This is not enough to maintain any fitness in that area (I do walk about 5 km daily, so I’m staying fit, but walking and running are very different beasts).
Just this week I determined that my goal for November will be to run three times a week. It feels doable (especially if I do two-weekend runs), and yet it also feels like enough to keep my running fitness at a level where I could push for more miles if I felt the sudden urge to do so. We are nearing winter in Eastern Canada, so many of these runs may have to be treadmill, but at only 3x/week, that also feels doable.

I have a hard time with streaks because when I have even the slightest hiccup, I feel like the streak is over and there is no point in continuing at all. Here is where I can recognize it’s a goal (run every day) vs a value (I want to run because it boosts my mood and keeps me healthy). For the latter, missing one day is inconsequential. As much as I want to be value-driven, it’s a very big mental hurdle to get over.

But three times a week…that feels just right. And having the habit of regular running has a nice ring to it.