Inhale, Exhale, Run
  • Home
  • About
  • Running Stories
  • Races & FKTs
  • Blog
  • Yoga Videos
  • Yoga Schedule
  • Running for an Angel
  • Yoga for Runners
  • Group & Private Yoga
  • Trail Run Tribe

5 Running Things To Do During a Running Break

8/24/2018

0 Comments

 
We must slow down to get faster.

Even more, absence makes the heart grow fonder, with anything that we love so dearly.

As fun as it is, runners must take a break from training and racing to reset, reboot and reflect.

Only then can we return stronger and ready to continue our journey of running for a lifetime, not just racing for today.

After running 11 races from distances 5K to 50K in 12 months and winning first overall female in four, second overall female in four, third overall female in one and first in my age category in the remaining two, I am ready for a running break. 

I had my second son, Grey, on April 2, 2017 and began running 20 days later. Read how I made it to the start line injury free and happy: From Birth to 5K: Running My First Race at Four Months Postpartum and Five Tips to Get There. 

Since then, I have been so utterly ecstatic to be a healthy, running mom of two boys, that I just could not get enough of the racing love! Mingling with other racers, pushing my limits, experiencing life on the run, ah, it has been MAGNIFICENT! 

Yet, now, my body, soul and mind must restore itself.

Below I give you a list of five things to do to keep your little running heart content while taking a break from the trails (or roads if that's your jam).
1. Build Trails 
On Sunday, August 19, my oldest son, Avie, five years old, joined the Ohiopyle Biking Club to break trail for the Upper Canyon Edge Trail, which will connect to McCune and Canyon Edge proper, eventually connecting a system of trails on Sugarloaf Mountain in Ohiopyle, Pa. The new trails will make for non-stop, long, flowing, single track fun on foot, bike or skis.... a dream come true! As a native Ohiopylian and leader of the all-female trail running group, the Trail Run Tribe, it touched my heart to build trails for the ladies with whom I run as well as our future generations of young ones.

Contact your local parks to learn about trail building opportunities. 
Picture

2. Watch Running Documentaries
Running World magazine posted a list titled Best Running Documentaries. Trail Runner Magazine posted 11 Inspiring Short Films About Trail Running. A friend sent me a short, sweet award-winning film, For The Love of Mary, about a 98-year-old man who runs to remember his late wife. Watching others LOVE what you love just feels good and brings me back to the main reason why I and many others run and race... for the connection to others and the community. 

3. Cross Train - Running breaks truly fly by when you have other physical passion pursuits. Mine include biking (mountain, rail trail and road), white water kayaking, swimming in the river, hiking, rock climbing, strength training and, of course, yoga. Getting back to some of these activities and increasing the amount of time spent with others (yoga!) has has been quite nourishing. Variety is definitely the spice of my life!
Picture

4. Volunteer 
For several years I have been teaching yoga for runners to the cross country team during their end-of-summer mini camp at my alma mater, Uniontown Area High School. Sharing yoga with other runners is the reason I became a yoga instructor, and I love giving back to the school that fostered my joy of racing.
Picture
Picture
Picture

5. Write, Reflect & Create
Make a collage of your race bibs, create a photo album of your recent races (I'm making one for my Ragnar team, who won first place female team at Ragnar Trail Appalachia on August 10!), write out how you feel about your races and dream races for the upcoming years, compose a poem about your first 50K (it's on my list!), create a running playlist for when you return to the trails... in other words, let your creativity be free!

All in all, a running break allows time to ponder and absorb the experiences from which you have just emerged as a stronger, happier, peaceful, more connected and confident runner. After all, that's why we do this crazy thing we runners do, right? To become a better human being by expressing our talents, passions and hard work in a positive way. 

So, runners, fill your running break with fun, fulfilling, productive activities, and before you know it, you'll be returning refreshed and ready for the next running adventure :) 

Here's to running for a lifetime! 

xo,
​Brynn 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Brynn Estella

    Yoga Instructor, RYT 200
    Runner
    ​Writer

    Inspire, dream, move, explore -- these are the elements that drive my life, and I want to share them with you. 

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2021
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories:

    All

    RSS Feed

I Would Love to Hear From You!


Email

brynnestella7@gmail.com

Photography by Colleen O'Neil