read my post from earlier today and you'll understand why tonight's run is such a victory.
running conditions this morning were per-fect. low 60s, zero humidity, beautiful sunrise. i planned an easy, flat 7 miler along the sacramento river. everything was per-fect. except for me. my calves were tight. my breathing erratic. i had to pee. i almost got run over by a train. i had the wrong kind of music on my ipod. i felt so heavy i just wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep. after 2 miles, i threw in the towel.
that run was the straw that broke the camel's back. wtf was up with me? why in hades can i not run without angst?
so i came home and blogged about it. admitted my fears. to myself and you bad ass runners i admire so much. and you know what? i felt better. i let those fears roll around in my head and heart long enough and released them into the blogosphere. it's like a 10 ton weight was lifted from my shoulders.
then i went to the nike outlet for some retail therapy. bought some new running tops, specifically a hot pink compression tank that is freakin' HAWT and sunglasses. i got some new headphones too. the ipod earbuds i've been using suck!
i got home and read wendy's comment and knew what i had to do. i made a new running playlist, suited up in my new gear (HAWT!) and got my ass to my favorite running spot.
i found that: sunset is just as nice as sunrise (yeah summer solstice). 10mph winds actually feel pretty good when the temps are in the 80s. letting my hair blow in the wind felt better than stuffing it under a bandana or hat. my new sunglasses make me feel like the terminator.
i ran faster than i have in weeks. faster than most of my long runs. but i guess i had something to prove. my splits:
.25 warmup
1: 10:36
2: 11:23
3: 11:46
4: 12:00
5: 11:33
6: 11:35
7: 11:30
we're talking an average pace of 11:30 people. and for me that's big news. and trust me i felt it. not so much that i wanted to die, but enough that i couldn't outright sing the tunes playing in my ears.
there's no denying i want this marathon. i've come leaps and bounds from my early days of running. and i still have more, people. lots more............
14 comments:
Retail Therapy to the rescue! Sounds like an awesome run. Way to laugh in the face of negativity. HA HA HA. Keep on rockin'!!
way to rock that run. hope you have a great day today also.
Way to go MPA!!! With my shin problems, I feel like your post sometimes - scared that I'm not going to be able to do Chicago... but its motivating to see that you got thru your stuff, so maybe I can too!
This is why I don't think I could do half the running I do without my blog. I love having the opportunity to vent there b/c I too feel so much better and often times so much more normla and less lonely -- b/c running is kind of a lonely sport, so it helps to have the RBF and to know that others are going or have gone through the same stuff.
Yay on your run!
Welcome to the ups and downs of running. Maybe the cure to my own woes is a hot pink top and new shades. Or maybe it's actually running again.
Love your blog, and I love this post. Congrats on finding your groove! This is one of those posts you can come back and read when you need motivation. Ok, now you've made me want to go shopping! :) Have a great weekend!
Love it! Way to go! A new outfit can always help to boost ones spirit. :)
What a great couple of posts! Congrats on the 7 miler at sunset! I think sometimes we all get in a rut and don't know what to do...but I would have probably done the same. With some HAWT new attire... you were ready to rock! NICE JOB!
excellent girl! -- man, i could use some of that "retail therapy" you mentioned!
Good stuff, its amazing how one good run can change ones whole outlook on things.
Nice going! Hope the training continues to go well.
Nice evening run. I'd kill for 80F temps this time of the year.
BTW ... how did you almost get hit by a train?
so glad to read about your nice rebound later in the day. i can really relate as i am sure a lot of fellow runners can. just remember that you will no doubt have lots of ups and downs during the training. the "bad" days will make the "good" days all the sweeter...
rock on, you TERMINATOR!! :)
Have you read my blog??? Just Kidding. I went through (and am still going through) those EXACT same fears!
Troy always tells me that 80% of what we worry about never comes to pass. He's right, but oh how often I forget.....
One other thing. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Don't let the fun of breaking that 11:30 mark, or buying new running shorts for the way they make your legs work ruin what you have accomplished so far....does that make sense?? Keep up the good work and we'll keep the good comments coming!
Post a Comment