Running Naked

Dan got me a Garmin for my birthday last year. It's one of the best presents I've ever gotten: it's been strapped to my wrist almost nonstop ever since. It's been incredibly useful with the heart rate based training plans I've been following. I've also had tons of fun learning my speeds both on land and on the water, and spent hours analyzing post-race heart rate data to see where I could gain seconds.

But there is something refreshing about leaving it behind and enjoying nature.

Every week, our training plan has time that is labeled as nothing more than cross-training, following by some number of minutes. Right now, we're doing two 60-90 minute cross-training sessions a week. I've gone on some great hikes in the rain, taken spinning classes, and explored the trails by Dan's childhood home. It's a great opportunity to reconnect with the joy of movement.

And in that spirit, I'm also taking the opportunity to disconnect from all the technology. Spinning bikes have nothing but your intuition telling you how hard you're working. And the only thing that makes you stop in the mountains is the end of a trail—no halfway timer or mileage alarm.

Testing out my raincoat in the most appropriate place: the Oregon coast.

During a winter season filled with erg splits and heart rate data, cross-training is a great place to leave numbers behind. I don't worry about calories burned, heart rate zones or minutes elapsed. Instead, I aim to enjoy the experience of moving my body. Usually, I don't test my limits or even push above 'comfortable'. But when I come back to the ergs and the numbers and the data, I'm ready for them. I remember why I'm moving in the first place—I love it.