Lately I have really been in my head. I started this blog post a few days ago and then walked away from it. It's funny how a few days can change my whole outlook. I'm glad I sat on it a while!
Ready for one of my rambles? You should enjoy it, I suspect this will be the last rambly post of 2013 for me! Rey comes home tonight and then my calendar is full of work, family, and holiday fun. One of my busiest times of the year for petsitting, other than Thanksgiving. In any case...
I had a hard week for running. I don't know if it was the mileage going up or just winter, I tend to get seasonal issues when winter sets in. My 8 mile run was pushed from Friday to Monday because of ice and when Monday arrived, it was still not melted, so I was forced to run on the treadmill. It was HARD. I realized that outside I regulate my speed depending on what I need, but on the TM I just keep going and going at the same pace. It hurt. I started to feel the beginning of a blister (which I've never gotten, btw) on my little toe and my knees were screaming at me. Afterwards I was glad to have it done, but did not feel as good as I normally do after a long run. An hour later a headache started that really lasted about 2 days, and it left me feeling so defeated.
Wednesday arrived and warm weather with it! That perked me up! I was so excited to run outside and headed out to do my normal 4 mile loop. It was near 50 but windy and everything was sore. I was in my head the.whole.time. I snapped picture, trying to cheer myself up about how nice it was out and instead the shot came out LIKE I FELT:
I tried to get out of my head but then ended up beating myself up about being in my head! You know how it goes, right? "this hurts, this is so hard, how can I run 13 miles if I'm at 2 and want to walk already? I can't do this. Yes you can, why are you being so negative? Being negative is making this worse. Why am I so negative?"...and on and on... At one point I was near tears b/c the wind was head-on and I felt like I was running through mud. I got it done, but again, it was a struggle and I started to worry about this half marathon looming. Everything felt so heavy.
Ready for one of my rambles? You should enjoy it, I suspect this will be the last rambly post of 2013 for me! Rey comes home tonight and then my calendar is full of work, family, and holiday fun. One of my busiest times of the year for petsitting, other than Thanksgiving. In any case...
I had a hard week for running. I don't know if it was the mileage going up or just winter, I tend to get seasonal issues when winter sets in. My 8 mile run was pushed from Friday to Monday because of ice and when Monday arrived, it was still not melted, so I was forced to run on the treadmill. It was HARD. I realized that outside I regulate my speed depending on what I need, but on the TM I just keep going and going at the same pace. It hurt. I started to feel the beginning of a blister (which I've never gotten, btw) on my little toe and my knees were screaming at me. Afterwards I was glad to have it done, but did not feel as good as I normally do after a long run. An hour later a headache started that really lasted about 2 days, and it left me feeling so defeated.
Wednesday arrived and warm weather with it! That perked me up! I was so excited to run outside and headed out to do my normal 4 mile loop. It was near 50 but windy and everything was sore. I was in my head the.whole.time. I snapped picture, trying to cheer myself up about how nice it was out and instead the shot came out LIKE I FELT:
I tried to get out of my head but then ended up beating myself up about being in my head! You know how it goes, right? "this hurts, this is so hard, how can I run 13 miles if I'm at 2 and want to walk already? I can't do this. Yes you can, why are you being so negative? Being negative is making this worse. Why am I so negative?"...and on and on... At one point I was near tears b/c the wind was head-on and I felt like I was running through mud. I got it done, but again, it was a struggle and I started to worry about this half marathon looming. Everything felt so heavy.
Yesterday was a rest day and such a fantastic one. It really pulled me out of my head and into the here and now. We went to the city to see the Nutcracker, it's something we do every year. A day with an awesome show, holiday fun, Starbucks, and gabbing with my BFF while Savannah & her friends ran around the mall, shopping.
It really helped me just let go and move on. I know that there are bad runs, they just happen, just like bad days. If I'm nothing else, I'm persistent. I think I've been described as that more than anything else. LOL
So naturally, this morning I went out to run! This morning was special, I knew that I was going to hit a milestone during my run and wanted to enjoy every second of it. I went out slow and headed for that same 4 mile loop, this time with an open heart and clear head. One mile in, I hit my milestone. These feet, at the moment I took this pic, put in 500 miles in 2013! That was with an injury that had me out all of August and most of September.
I just soaked it all up. I stopped to take a couple pics and reflect on how far I've come. The sun was coming up and I was in the graveyard. I know I've mentioned it before, that I run through a graveyard. It's not just that it works well for my 4 mile loop, but it's a fantastic place to reflect and be grateful. So many have come before me and I CAN run right now. There will be a day that I can't, but today is not that day!
(If you are a LOTR geek, you're feelin' me here.LOL)
The rest of my run was gorgeous. I enjoyed every moment, didn't think about pace or time and just ran. I thought about how far I have come this year and that I've run more miles this week than I did the whole month of January. I thought about how 3 miles used to be the longest I could manage and now 4 is my standard "short run". I thought about how strong I have gotten and health gains I have reaped from running. (even if I've not lost a single pound...but that's a post for another day) I thought about how I'm going to crush that half marathon in 65 days. I realized that if I remember WHY I run and stay out of my head, I can keep going and I can push through and I can do what I previously thought impossible.
I know there will be more hard runs but this week gave me more strength and courage to push through those days and keep going. There's no point in stopping, especially when you are in the thick of it, right? I choose to keep moving, keep going, and I know that they can't all be bad, at some point I'll get through it and be back on top of the world.
Oh and I am headed to respond to your comments from the last couple posts as well, sorry I got backed up on that! Confession: I don't follow bloggers that don't respond to their replies. I want to interact with my readers, not just have them read my stuff and never want anyone to feel ignored!
Aaaaand (I know, this is the longest blog post ever!) for your geeky viewing pleasure, my BFF posted this to me, I had to add it here. Perfect!
Have you ever gotten in your head so badly it made you have a bad run? Do you have any techniques to snap yourself out of it or do you just muddle through until it gets better?
I can save your treadmill! Do something like this: I start my run at 6.5 mph and then reduce speed by .1 every minute for ten minutes, down to 5.6 mph. Then I ramp it back up to 6.5 and repeat. I average out at a little over 6 mph and it keeps thing varied enough to pass the time more quickly. For me, anyway. Give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic! I never thought of slowing it down each minute and then popping it back up. I will be trying that Monday morning (b/c we're due for more snow and freezing rain)! Thank you so much Jenn!
DeleteCongrats on the milestone! I know a few people who have ran that route. I have still yet to go and try it maybe this spring I will have to. I need to start getting ready for the freezin for a reason race in February.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shelley! Is the Freezin for a reason race in Rolla?
DeleteIts in St. James on February 22 starts and ends at the Nelson Hart Park.
DeleteAh, ok! I'll be in Florida, my half marathon is the next morning!!
DeleteDoing long runs on a treadmill are HARD. I remember I did an 8 milers on it when I was training to PHM, and I swore I'd never do it again lol. 6 Miles is prob my TM threshold before I start getting overly annoyed! The fact that you did it though speaks SO much! Persistence really is key - you are going to do amazingly at the PHM!
ReplyDeleteThe Nutcracker sounds like so much fun, and I am glad you get to be with your husband for Christmas!!
Yep, the dreadmill made it harder. I'm determined not to do another long run on the TM, so I'm moving my schedule around weekly to fit with what old-man-winter has in store! And thanks, I'm so glad he's home!!
DeleteYou know, when I am training for a marathon one thing I always want is 1 or if possible 2 long runs that are bad runs, the kind that make me hate every mile, etc... Your probably thinking I am crazy, but I have this theory that I have proved correct time and time again. Everyone has bad runs, and they are just going to happen and no one wants them to happen during the race itself. So having a few bad runs before the big event, is a good thing. Gets the bad ones out of your system giving you time to recoup and gear up and get ready for the greatest run in the race!
ReplyDelete(On another note, I never lose weight when training for a race either:) I decided long ago it's near impossible:)
Now that it's over, I can see the bad run for what it was and be grateful...I just need to remember that the next time it happens! LOL. Yep, I don't talk about it a lot but the running just makes me ravenous. I get frustrated b/c before I started running this much I lost about 40 pounds but now cannot get any further b/c training seems to have done the opposite of what you would think it would do.
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS! That is awesome :) I've been struggling with the cold, but I'm just trying to push myself out there and do it. I'm basically miserable here, but running saves me…even if I am frozen to death.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I wish Savannah would give us just ONE smile with teeth. She is so gorgeous! (I hope that doesn't sound as creepy as I think it does).
Hahaha, nope, not creepy! I have some with teeth but she definitely does not like to smile big for the camera! ;) I hope you are muddling through the cold Chicago weather!
DeleteCongrats on the 500 miles! That is awesome!! I have no idea how you non-Floridians run in the winter. I hate the dreadmill. Deeply. And I get hives on my belly when I run outside when the temperature is below 50. So you have my admiration for getting those miles done! I'm sitting here procrastinating my run today for a variety of lame reasons, and your post gave me the kick in the bottom to get out there and get it done! :) You're doing awesome! Some runs stink!
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't done this already, print out the race map for the Princess Half and mark on it your furthest distance for your long runs. Then, you can visualize where you might be on the course during those long runs. Running down main street, running through the castle!!
That's a fantastic idea! I ALWAYS think about MK at mile 5-6. Always! It's a great motivator, especially since I tend to bonk around 5-6 and I try to remind myself that it will be the most exciting mile of the race for me!
DeleteCongrats on hitting 500 miles! That was a nice reward to have after the funk of the earlier runs. I'm feeling the same in a lot of ways - I think it's just the weather screwing with our heads. Reading your awesome post today, I totally heard Aragorn in my head telling me that "today is not that day" (God he's gorgeous). I'll need to remember that if I manage to drag myself out in the cold to do today's 4.5 miles! Thanks! - Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks Jess! *swoon* Aragorn! My favorite movie(s) of all time. Hope your miles are going well too!
DeleteCongrats on your 500 miles!! Incredible :) I think running is all about persistence - so if people call you that, I think it means you're doing the sport you're meant to do!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia! I'm definitely persistent, I'm glad it will pay off when it comes to running! :)
Delete500 miles! What an accomplishment! I try to push through my objections on bad runs, but sometimes I just can't. But tomorrow brings another run and a second chance, which usually puts me in a better mind set. Something that also helps (I'm like 99.9% sure it came from you, too) is telling myself to "settle in." Helps SO much at the beginning. I'm totally imagining Aragorn outside the gates of Mordor! :)
ReplyDeleteYES YES YES! "Settle into it" is actually one of my mantras, I just had it put on my roadID that I got! Thanks Kim!
DeleteYou will totally rock Princess. You've put in way too much training not to. My first half was Disneyland Half 2010. I decided to run it in May (can you believe that in 2010, you could enter in May and there were still spots?!). I trained in AZ heat and never got past 9 miles in training. I worried so much about getting swept that I had chronic anxiety.
ReplyDeleteThere was so much adrenaline and distractions at the race that I managed to run nearly the entire thing (granted, it was at a snail's pace).
You'll do great, I promise!!
Thanks Jaime! I go back and forth on it daily...hourly! One moment I'm thinking that I can do this, I've trained for it, I can take walk breaks if needed...and then the next I'm struggling with 5 miles and thinking I must be mad to think I can get to 13! Today is a freakout today b/c I have a 9 miler tomorrow, it's the farthest I've gone so far.
DeleteOkay, you totally didn't ask for my advice, but I'm going to give it anyway, lol!
DeleteThe number one thing I've learned in my many half marathons and long training runs is to start slowly. Every bad race I've had has been because A) I was undertrained or B) I started out too fast. It's so hard at the beginning of a race not to speed up, but I swear, keeping slow will help so much.
If you're already up to 9 miles, you will have no problem at Princess. I promise.
Unsolicited advice is my favorite kind to give, glad I'm not the only one!! Thank you! It's hard to slow myself down at first. Honestly, I don't know HOW slow to go. I'm pretty average all-the-time, no matter what I do. I run somewhere around 10:30-11 minute miles. I'm unsure if this means I should start off doing something like 11:30??? I'm nervous about tomorrow, but my son is going to meet me for the last three miles, so that will help!
DeleteJust remember that doing a long run on your own is way more challenging than doing it at a race, especially a Disney race. It'll probably feel really hard and you'll wonder how you'll ever tack on 4 MORE MILES!!! But it will feel so different and fun at Princess. You're already faster than me - I'm a snail- but I always try to force myself to run at least a minute slower for the first mile and then slowly increase with each mile until mile 3 or 4. It's so hard for me to do that at a race because I get passed left and right at the start, but then around mile 6 or 7 when a lot of people start taking more and more walk breaks, I can keep going and then I'm passing them. (This only works when I've been actually training, lol!)
DeleteAnyway, it might be worth trying on your long runs to see if it works for you. The worst races I've had all began with me starting out way too fast and then bonking half way through. Like I said before, if you're already doing 9 miles this far out, you have nothing to worry about! You'll be a rockstar!
Congrats on the 500 mile milestone! I wish I would have kept track of all the miles I put in in 2013, I sometimes put it on my calendar, but often I forget. I know there is always 2014, but I suspect that 2013 was my high mileage year due to what I am training for!
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the whole comments thing. I blog because I want to interact with other people, not because I want to just talk to myself! This means also commenting on other blogs and building a virtul relationship which sometimes turn into real ones! Just a side note, I met a fellow blogger at a blogging event recently and was shocked to hear her admit that she never reads other people's blogs!
I totally agree! Whenever someone responds to my blog I make sure that I follow theirs. I can't imagine expecting people to respond to me when I don't talk to them. I mean, I get that some people just read and don't respond, that's fine too, but I would never just let people respond to my blog and then just never reply to them. I have already made quite a few friends and it's been such a great experience. I'm so excited to actually meet people in person at the race!
Delete