I’ve put off entering my mileage this week as it may have contained un-family friendly content. Saturday I went out for an easy 10 miler. I didn’t run with my normal group as they we weren’t meeting this week. I didn’t eat breakfast because I was running late and the temps were already climbing. I didn’t sleep much because I went to bed late. I had an awful run. I think that I sucked more that day then in the history of sucking. My heart rate was through the roof even when moving at a shuffle. I was struggling before I even hit mile 3. I turned around and found my car. Including the walk of defeat back to my car I was approx 5 miles for the day.
Fast forward a few days and looking at things in retrospect I only set myself up for a failure. My body is still a bit weak from my last race and I haven’t been taking care of some of the most basic needs (food/sleep). Keeping that in mind I went out Monday with no expectations except to put in some street time. Pace and duration of the run were dependent on how I was feeling. Two and half miles later I threw in the towel. I wasn’t too happy with the mileage but in 92 degree temps I was glad to be done.
Tonight there was blessed rain. I ran through the night faster than I had been all week feeling renewed, invigorated, and all around glad to be running. I managed to squeak in 4.57 miles. I came home feeling like a champion finally back on the path of training.
Speaking of training, I read an article that stated that you need to be as committed to the training plan as you are to the race on race day. My training log shows my commitment has been lacking for quite some time. My consistency has been in the toilet. It is so easy to miss a run for life’s other priorities. Kids are an easy excuse not to run but it is easy to schedule runs around them (early AM or late PM). Hubby feeling neglected is my normal excuse but it really only takes 10 min of quality time to resolve that. I just need to recommit myself to the goals I have set for myself. They are not un-obtainable but they do have to be scheduled and followed…at least 80% of the time.
I love finishing races. Albeit in the back of the pack I will still cross the finish line. I just like slapping on that bib, watching the miles melt by, pushing when it gets hard, and then feeling the pride of success when it is all over. I need to find a way to bring that excitement to my daily runs as well. Not every run needs to be exciting but it would be nice if most runs didn’t feel like a chore someday.
Having our group runs on Saturdays helps alleviate some of that. I’ve not run with them in nearly a month due to conflicts with schedules. I wonder if my Saturday morning running partners know how much they help keep me motivated. I hope that I am helping to keep them motivated as well.
I’m looking forward to Saturday’s run with great anticipation. We are going 10-12 miles on our easy route. I’m hoping that I don’t lag behind due to tired legs but I won’t mentally be-rate myself if I do. At least I feel confident that I will make my distance goal with my running partners friendship and support. As the Beatles song goes, “I get by with a little help from my friends”. | 