Thursday, February 3, 2011

Two miles

On mornings when I do not want to crawl out from under my warm covers, I tell myself that I only have to run two miles.

Two miles is long enough to get my legs going so that I wake up and feel good that I actually exercised, but not too long that I dread it and don't want to get out of bed.

But it's only TWO miles.  That is such a short distance.

I guess the whole mind game I play with myself is just to get out the door and once I am out in the cold, then if I feel like going for three or four miles I can.

Some days I wonder if I will ever get tired of my little two miles runs.  If I will ever reach a point where I need to run at least three or four or even five miles a day to make it worth it to get out the door and sweat.  I have always been a low mileage runner and I wonder if I ever pass the threshold and venture into 30 mile weeks, will I think that two miles is not worth the time.

Tomorrow I "plan" for two easy miles in the morning.  We will see if I only run two or go for more.  

Is there a minimum amount of miles you feel you need to run for it to be worth getting all sweaty?

Happy Thursday!

**Maybe this two mile idea is only a winter thing.  I don't remember ever having to convince myself to just run two miles when it was 70F at 5am.

17 comments:

d.a.r. said...

Something is always always better than nothing!! If that's what it takes to get you moving, then stick with it!! There is nothing wrong with running two miles. Better than skipping the workout altogether!

Molly said...

I think it's definitely a winter thing. : )

I have to do three miles minimum to make it count.

Molly said...

I think it's definitely a winter thing. : )

I have to do three miles minimum to make it count.

Jacqi said...

If I'm running on the treadmill, the minimum I tell myself is 2 miles or 1 really fast mile. Then I can move on to strength or another cardio machine. Outside, it is 3. But maybe if I reduced the outside minimum to 2, I'd run a lot more! 2 miles is waaay better than none.

Getting out there is half the battle for me! It sounds like you're doing great!

Middle Name Marie said...

I struggle in the winter. I don't want to get all bundled up for a short run, but I don't enjoy spending ours in the elements for longer runs either. I do it, but I don't love it. I think as long as you are doing something over these winter months, you will feel great in the spring when the first two miles are behind you and you feel like you could go forever

Nicole said...

I love the way you think! I need to tell myself that!! :) Great job getting up and getting out there! Winter is a hard time for everyone! Im struggling too!

Anonymous said...

I think it's great that you like 2 mile runs. Better than nothing, right?

Marlene said...

Nothing wrong with a little two mile run! I tend to aim for 5K or more but something is always better than nothing!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

3 mile runs are sort of my 'happy place'. I feel like I"ve gotten a work out, but they dont' take a whole lot of time. I am planning on doing one tomorrow morning! I have the day off work so I am going to run to Walgreens and pick up something and run back! It will be nice to combine an errand w/ a run!

Angie said...

I don't have a minimum, its whatever my legs/body feels like doing! 2 is better 0! :)

Unknown said...

I think 2 miles is a pretty good distance. And something is always better than nothing!

Kim (Book Worm Runs) said...

I do this all the time! I think my minimum would be 2 miles as well :)

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

How did you run in the cold weather this morning?!? You are amazing!! Enjoy your comfy sweater and I think 2 miles is definitely my minimum too...that is what BIlly and I usually do together!

Anonymous said...

I definitely consider myself a low-mileage runner and I am so happy with only 2-3 miles. THAT is going to make marathon traning very hard on me!

Amy said...

Something is always better than nothing! I often start my runs with a one mile loop around the neighbourhood, and sometimes I just convince myself to get out the door and run that. I can remember coming back to the house twice after just finishing one mile, (extreme weather and sickness were the reasons), but I almost always convince myselft to keep going for at least 3 miles.

Jamie said...

I always look at it as something is better than nothing. I don't like to put a number on my bargaining because then I play the whole "why get out of bed for only x miles"

Rachel said...

I say whatever gets you out the door in the morning! 2 is better than nothing and chances are you more often than not end up going further.

I'm curious what you guys consider "low mileage" (as in "I'm a low mileage runner")? I'm constantly struggling w/injuries so the idea of low mileage intrigues me...