CW7 - Running as an Anchor
Running as an Anchor
This week was a lot. Not necessarily bad, just full. Too many things at once, too little time to breathe. And when life gets like that, running isn’t just another thing on the to-do list—it’s the thing that holds everything together.
I’ve written about this before, but it keeps proving itself true: running keeps me grounded because it’s my anchor. It gives me structure when everything else feels all over the place. It’s movement when my brain won’t slow down. It’s a reset when I need space but don’t have time for anything else.
For me, running isn’t just about training for a race or chasing a new PR. It’s about having something reliable when everything else feels chaotic. It’s the one thing I can count on, even when my schedule is unpredictable, my motivation is low, or my mental energy is drained. Running is simple. It’s just putting one foot in front of the other. And on the days when everything else feels complicated, that simplicity is exactly what I need.
That doesn’t mean it was easy to get out the door (or onto the treadmill) this week. The mental energy to start was harder to find than usual. But I try to keep showing up, because I know I always feel better—not just after, but during. Once I’m moving, my brain settles, the noise fades, and I can just focus on the simplicity of running. And I’m learning to be okay with the days when it just doesn’t work out. Life gets in the way sometimes, and that’s fine too.-
It wasn’t about chasing a perfect training week. It was about keeping the routine alive—because when I run, everything else feels a little more manageable..
Training Recap:
This week was all about short, focused sessions—mostly on the treadmill, simply because I didn’t have the time to run outside. Monday was, as always, a rest day. Tuesday, I got in a 1-hour treadmill run, followed by 30 minutes on Wednesday. Thursday was another rest day since I’m still building up and making sure to give my body the recovery it needs.
Friday was the toughest treadmill session of the week: 30 minutes at marathon pace, sandwiched between a 20-minute warm-up and cool-down. I did it late at night, after a long and exhausting day. Honestly, I didn’t feel like it at all. But once I started, I found a rhythm, and by the end, I felt proud for pushing through. There’s something deeply satisfying about finishing a hard workout when every part of you wanted to quit.
Saturday’s long run was a stark contrast to the treadmill grind. I headed outside, chasing the sun wherever I could because the shaded areas were brutally cold. My legs were still tired from Friday’s effort, but the crisp air and the beauty of the winter landscape made it worth it. It wasn’t fast, and it wasn’t easy, but it was a reminder of why I love running—the connection to nature, the sense of freedom, the way it clears my head.
Sunday, I hopped on the home bike for an easy 30 minutes—just enough to get the legs moving.
Mental Health and Time Management
Mentally, this week was exhausting. Not just because of running, but because of everything else. I had a lot to deal with—big challenges outside of training—and that left little mental space for running. That, in turn, made time management harder. On some days, it felt impossible to make everything fit.
But I still found a way. Even when it meant training late at night. Even when I had to convince myself to get on the treadmill instead of just crashing on the couch. Because I know that in weeks like this, running is exactly what keeps me from feeling overwhelmed.
Things I’m Loving Right Now
Here are a few things that have inspired me or made me smile this week. Maybe they’ll do the same for you:
Podcast:
lauf.tisch: Der Rock'n'Run Club 🤘
Weil Laufen mehr als nur Sport ist - es ist ein Lebensstil. Dieser Podcast fängt die Energie, Leidenschaft und den Zusammenhalt der Laufcommunity ein und bietet eine Mischung aus praktischen Ratschlägen, Inspiration und Unterhaltung.
Gemeinsames Laufen ist wertvoll. Wir schaffen einen Raum, in dem Läuferinnen und Läufer sich vernetzen, ihre Geschichten teilen und Motivation finden können.
Wir sind nicht nur ein Podcast, sondern ein Community-Treffpunkt, an dem Läuferinnen und Läufer zusammenkommen können, um zu lernen, zu lachen und sich inspirieren zu lassen.
Youtube/Races:
Everything from Peter Bromka
His Podcast Writing on Running
That’s it for this week. Not perfect, but progress. And that’s all that matters.
If you're wondering why I’m writing all this, check out my introduction post. It explains everything.
Thanks Mate 😘