Down: Speed training the day after a good, easy run. I'm running Fartlek... Fartleks... uh huh, and tempo runs twice a week. Tempo runs can ruin my day. Also, Fartleks suck. Big time. As does speed training and extreme tempo runs. I don't know if you know... but my goal is to cross the finish line still breathing. There is no actual RACE in this marathon for me. I'm still trying to work in speed training because I figure a little extra conditioning for 26.2 miles never hurts. A coworker in my office asked what my goal time is for the race. Was it rude to say "Forget a goal time-- I want to cross the finish line on two feet and not a stretcher"
Up: Running my 7 mile long run on Saturday morning in the really warm, non-shaded, no-breeze/highly humid weather and not dying.
Down: The police officer who saw me around mile 3 and gave me a smile and happy nod also saw me at mile 6 and, with a much more concerned look, advised me to head home and get out of the heat. I'm guessing I was feeling a lot more together than I looked, because I couldn't help but laugh as this came to mind:
Up: Investing in a good pair of running socks. After being advised by a few avid runner female coworkers, I went for the luululemon ultimate padded running sock. I never knew what I was missing until I slid these babies on my feet:
Down: Obsessively tracking the shipment and then tearing open the package to find a pair of socks. ONE pair of socks. For $15. That whole running ain't cheap theory? Well, it is not a theory-- I'm clearly not in the Hanes Eight-Pack Sock Game anymore...
Training is going well. I did hit a lull there for a few days where I was kind of just going through the motions. We had a lot going on every single weekend, the weeknights were jam-packed, and after coming home, running, making/eating dinner and fitting in a bit of TV, I was exhausted. This week has been better and with things settling down, I'm getting the chance to refocus on the commitment I've made.
I'm not gonna lie- there have been a few days since training began when just the THOUGHT of running put me in an awful mood (poor Brian). I still got my miles in for the day, but I was ANGRY that I had to do it, ANGRY at the treadmill, ANGRY that my songs weren't shuffling the way that I wanted, ANGRY that my shin was being naggy and bothering me off and on. Basically, I was a real treat and a half.
Then I kind of had this realization that I could either whine and complain and gripe about this, or I could shut up and do it, IT being THE MARATHON WHICH I VOLUNTARILY SIGNED UP FOR AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEYOND-GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS.
So, I've chosen the latter.
Tonight I'm tackling 4 easy miles, which should be a walk in the park. Or sixteen laps around the track, however you choose to see it. By the end of this week, I'll have run 8 for my long run, which will put me at running a little under a 1/3 of the marathon distance, and 21 miles total for the week. It's crazy to see myself now totally accepting the fact that running X many miles is just a part of my week-- I never thought I'd see the day. Shoot, I never thought I'd move like this!
Stop by and visit my fundraising page!!
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