Most of my runs are pretty planned out every week. I have pretty standard routes for different types of runs and what time of day I will be running, but I have always tried to make sure to keep running clothes and shoes in my car just incase.
Just incase I feel like running right now. Or just incase I see a spot that looks like a fun place to run. Or just incase a friend wants to go running and I hadn’t planned on it.
Spontaneity definitely helps keep things interesting in a pretty predictable training plan AND it’s a great way to find motivation when it might be missing.
Today I had lunch with a good friend over in Marin. As I was driving back through the East Bay around 3pm, I realized I had nothing else to do for the afternoon. I could easily go home and hang out there since I had already run this morning, or I could just happen to pull off the freeway and go spend an hour on my favorite trails and enjoy the freedom of my vacation week.
When do I ever get to go run trails in the middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday? Hardly ever.
So I drove over to the park, changed into my running clothes and got running.
It was a beautiful afternoon to be running through the hills of Oakland. The bay side of the East Bay is so much more pleasant than the hot eastern East Bay, and the shade from the tall redwood trees made it ever better. It was so peaceful and I just love being out there.
I wasn’t out there for too long, but just long enough to get a good 5 mile run in, fill some free time in my afternoon and just enjoy being outside. I am so glad that I had running clothes in my car so I could just stop and run.
Do you keep running clothes with you at all times just incase?
Have you ever done a spontaneous run because of it?
Awesome. You know, I have never thought to keep an extra set of clothes in the car. Not a bad idea.
Glad you enjoyed the afternoon! Looks gorgeous out there.
I got similarly motivated this afternoon and drove up to Tam to do my favorite circumnavigation. While i had planned on running a second time today anyways, it was much more fun to be spontaneous and hit the trails then run in my very familiar setting. It was a good afternoon for it!
i never ever do anything like this, but i should. i’m so unspontaneous haha!
Aron, I knew I saw you out there today…I was walking with my husband and our beagle. Your blog is one of my favorites — sorry I was too busy being starstruck/staring to see if it was you to say hi!
those trails look amazing! i’m totally envious of spontaneous runs : /
I don’t carry spare running clothes with me. It’s usually too hot in the summer afternoons here anyway, but it would be a good idea once the weather starts to cool off
I had to make the decision to run in padded bike shorts recently or not run at all because I didn’t have running clothes and it was too foggy to go on the ride that I planned with friends. But I like the idea of carrying running clothes in the car to avoid that! I think I will start! (p.s. I chose to run in the bike shorts…super uncomfortable!)
Beautiful trails!!! Definately would make me want to hop out of my car and go for a run.
Aron, where was this trail run at? I need to keep adding to my East Bay routes
Great idea!! I have never thought to keep extra clothes in the car just in case but I really like that idea because there have definitely been times where I just FEEL like running. I love that you stopped off to spend some time on those beautiful trails just because you felt like it. So often running becomes this strict plan I need to follow and I forget to enjoy it and have fun!