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Out and Back

I have three routes that I usually run. I have a one mile loop around the YMCA that I use the most. I have a loop around my neighborhood that I use when I can't get to the Y. But my favorite is an out and back from the Y. I use this out and back when I want to go for a long run or if I really need to make myself run.

The route starts at the end of the parking lot of the Y and goes towards Navy Road. I cross over Navy Road to Veteran's Parkway and out to Navy Lake. Depending on how many miles I plan to run I know where to turn around and come back. All the way out to Navy Lake is 5 miles but I also use it for shorter distances.

Days like yesterday is why I like that route so much. Yesterday was one of those days that I wanted to run at least 5 miles or more but I was really tired. I knew if I ran the loop at the Y I would be tempted to quit early. It's easy to talk yourself into shortening your run when you are running a loop because you keep coming back to your starting/stopping point. If you feel like quitting on an out and back when you are halfway through your run, guess what, you gotta go back. That is why an out and back is so great: you GOTTA go back.

I don't like to walk when I am out running so my pride will make me finish my run. If I am running a loop I can get distracted by any reason I can find to cut the run short or not push myself on a day when I really need to push. When I run out and back I know the only thing I need to worry about is finishing so it helps me relax and enjoy the fact that I'm outside running which makes the fact that I am pushing myself easier. There is no easy exit. I'm out there. And I gotta go back.
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