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The Anatomy of a Great Run

May 5, 2014 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC22 Comments

I had an incredible run in New York City last Thursday night and it made me think about the anatomy of a great run. What makes a run great? What made that particular run so fantastic? Could I even quantify it? Here’s my effort at trying:

  • I had an unintentional pacer. As I was running towards the park, a young woman was running directly in front of me and cleared a path through the crowded streets. I took advantage of her doing all the work so just tried to stay with her. As it turns out, she was quite fast. Hence the 7:25 mile that dang near killed me.
  • It was my first run in Central Park. Once I got to the park, I had fun just looking at everything and seeing all there was to see. I trucked along (at a much more reasonable 8:45/9 minute mile pace) and enjoyed my very first run in Central Park. What an incredible place to run. I loved all the other runners, bikers, walkers that I saw and I kept thinking about the New York Marathon as I ran and about how someday (not this year, maybe next) that would be a fantastic race to run.
  • The weather was perfect. It was just one of those evenings where the air was cool, there was no humidity and it would’ve been a crime to not run. Pure perfection.
  • Barre has made me much, much stronger. Since my secret marathon, I haven’t been running any extraordinary mileage. I ran Cherry Blossom in early April and have been running a few times a week since then. But I’ve added barre classes to the mix and that has been extremely helpful.

Central Park Run

What’s your recipe for a great run? 

 


Comments

  1. nevie says

    May 5, 2014 at 11:06 am

    love this! great runs are what it’s all about. sometimes i’m more excited about a 4-mile run that feels free and easy than a PR feat. i think for me i most related to the part about enjoying the sights- i think for me that’s why i was so burned out for nike women’s last weekend. i was tired of the same route i’d run in cherry blossom and rock ‘n’ roll in a matter of weeks. i love the outdoors and getting to explore a new place on foot and breathe its new air through my lungs always make even the hardest runs worth it.
    awesome to hear about barre! i’m jealous – not cross-training while my ankle was injured is every reason i’m struggling right now. can’t wait to get back to strength-training! <3
    nevie recently posted…Race Recap: Run for the Bay 5KMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:17 pm

      yes, enjoying the sites was a huge part of the success of this run!

      Reply
  2. Leigh Anne @ livefitandrun says

    May 5, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    I feel the same way about Barre3! Those classes have made me so much stronger and made my runs feel so much better. I have gotten rid of a lot of little nagging injuries that I seem to have carried around on every run with me for the past 4 years or so!
    Leigh Anne @ livefitandrun recently posted…Weekend UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:18 pm

      yes, it’s a great full body workout that really makes make key areas (core, etc) stronger!

      Reply
  3. Mar @ Mar on the Run! says

    May 5, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Love this! I ran 4 miles in Central Park last spring when I visited and I LOVED it. Such a beautiful park. And those without a goal runs are the most freeing!
    Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend Recap!My Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      It is a gorgeous space — I love how active it is all the time!

      Reply
  4. Sue @This Mama Runs For Cupcakes says

    May 5, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    I’m so jealous! Sounds like an amazing run…feel like i haven’t had one of those in a while. Would love to run in Central Park someday.
    Sue @This Mama Runs For Cupcakes recently posted…Nike Women’s DC volunteer and a training update!My Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 5, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      Yes! You must — it’s beautiful!

      Reply
  5. Coco says

    May 5, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Nice run! Cross training really does improve our running.
    Coco recently posted…One Bike Path Two Ways On The Mount Vernon TrailMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    May 5, 2014 at 8:31 pm

    A friend who acts as a pacer, is my favorite too.
    Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Weight Watchers UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Love this post – getting me excited for New York! Maybe it is something about 4 miles – not too short, not too long…just had a great 4 miler this weekend as well. Sometimes I find the best runs are the ones that do not involve any route planning – I go where my feet take me 🙂
    Jennifer recently posted…Weekly Workout/Training in Review 4/27-5/3My Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:42 am

      NYC is a great plan to run!

      Reply
  8. Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Those days where the weather is just perfect are the best running days! I love running in Central Park too when I’m in NYC. If I lived there I’d run there every day!
    Kammie @ Sensual Appeal recently posted…My Favorite Chips Flavors Forever & Always: popchips snacksMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:44 am

      I felt the same way while I was there!

      Reply
  9. Patty @ Reach Your Peak says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    You need to run NYC Marathon one day! What an amazing race. I love having a pacer too. When I run with my dad he runs faster than me but it helps pull me along and challenge me. That’s probably why I should join a running group or something!
    Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…Healthy Cinco De Mayo Recipes!My Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:11 am

      I would love to run NYC one day — first though, I need a marathon in my city 🙂

      Reply
  10. Christine @ We Run Disney says

    May 6, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Weather, attitude and pace always play into a good run for me. I think those will start to dwindle as the heat and humidity ramp up for summer but for now I’m savoring the springtime runs!
    Christine @ We Run Disney recently posted…Giveaway: Zensah DeZign Compression SleevesMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:44 am

      I know — I’m concerned that it’s going to be a HOT summer :/

      Reply
  11. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    May 6, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Great job on your fabulous run! I’ve noticed that the more weight training I’ve been doing the faster (slow progression but better than static) I’ve been able to run.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Random Tuesday ThoughtsMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:50 am

      Thanks Kathryn – considering I did very little cross training while marathon training, I’m really reaping the benefits!

      Reply
  12. Kels @ Blonder Side of LIfe says

    May 6, 2014 at 11:01 am

    WHoo! That’s awesome… Idk Iif I have a set recipe for a great run, they just kinda happen. Which might make them even better really 😀
    Kels @ Blonder Side of LIfe recently posted…“American Churros” + First Ever Secret Blogger Club Link-upMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      May 6, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      Thanks girl – it was a FANTASTIC run!

      Reply

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