If you Don't Mind, It Don't Matter

Followed up the 17 with an 8-mile pace run today. On the plus side, I averaged 9-minute miles at the end. (I'm shooting for just under 9:10s, so that's good!) On the negative side, I think I was getting close to a 5K PR at the 2 mile mark....which doesn't say much for my consistency. The initial speed was a little bit purposeful actually, although that was faster than I wanted. I chose a course that has a nasty 5th mile, BIG rolling hills, so I knew I was going to lose some time there.

Again, the end was the best part of the run, but for a different reason this time. I was dragging hard at the 7 mile mark and bonked at 7.4. I thought I was done and I was....aggravated. Yes, I had to go retrieve my water bottle after I threw it in disgust. Then I just..reached deep is the only way to say it. I told myself, 'you either want this or you don't' and just kept repeating that over and over as I churned out the final half mile at an 8:37 pace. That was a HUGE mental victory. Yesterday was a great final mile because I was tired and still managed to kick into a higher gear to finish. Today was getting my body to go when my mind had already decided we were done. That's training!

Step by Step, Inch by Inch

Yesterday I did my first 17 mile run. That's s.e.v.e.n.t.e.e.n. miles. Yes, I'm a little proud of this one!

It was another solitary run ...we had somewhere to go that day, so I started my run at 5:30 in the morning - a couple hours before any of the group runs got going. I got in the car at 5:15 and dropped off water along the route, then kicked it off from the Starbucks up the steet. (No, no coffee before, it was just convenient.) In my head, this really became three runs - a five miler and then two six milers. Mainly because of where the water stops were, partially because those were just manageable distances, but that mental trick made a huge difference. I really felt strong and consistent through most of the run and having those intermediary 'endings' helped keep it real.

The best part was the end. I was definitely dragging in the 16th mile, talking out loud to myself to keep my motivation up, looking forward to the end. Then I saw a runner (well) up ahead of me and thought, 'Can I reel him in?' I knocked out an 8:22 mile that final mile (averaging 9:44 the rest of the run) and yes, I passed him. What a rush!!

And the best part was, I really felt great almost immediately after finishing. That was a big mental boost as I continue training. I can do this......

P.S. Ice baths suck.....but they sure help the recovery!!!

Life...is Good

Last night, 7 miles at an 8:51 pace. I'm in a Happy place...

Still Running....

Scratch the feeling of my training not going well! Last Saturday I ran the furthest distance I've run yet - 14 miles, an ultra half-marathon. :) It's a really great feeling to break a barrier.

Kind of humorous - as I've mentioned, I like the group runs because they help so much with the motivation. So, I went to West Stride for a group run, but almost everyone was only doing 5 miles or so. I had printed out a route, just in case, so I ended up doing a solo 'group run'. It was still great. Chatting in the store before we started, a water stop perfectly positioned so I hit it twice on the run, and then coming back to the store for Gatorade, water, and food. Have I mentioned how much I like West Stride? Such great people...

Then today, I went to a group run held by The Chattahoochee Road Runners Club. Holy cow were there a lot of people there! This was the 'Go the Distance' part of the club, so everyone there was there to run anywhere from 12 miles on up. There were easily 60 people there! It was almost overwhelming at 7:00 on a Saturday. Water stops with both water and Gatorade every couple of miles, route sheets for all the various distances ... Great set up. I'll definitely be joining them as often as possible. And today...15 miles!! I certainly wouldn't say it was an easy run, but now I've got 15 under my belt. Onward and upward!

Welcome Back...

Wow. I spent two weekends ago in Valdosta, Georgia. We met up with my sister's family - -halfway between their house and ours, hence the destination. It was a great time, and I managed to get in a long run on Sunday. (Saturday's run just didn't happen.) It was a good run, but the flat route made me feel like I wasn't getting quite the workout I should.

Came back home Sunday night . . . and left Monday morning for Tampa. I did get in my runs there as well, again by myself, and got home Thursday late night. Again, very flat, very tough to push myself . . .I've gotten too used to the group runs.

Saturday, home again, I just couldn't get up in the morning to run. I was just too worn out from the trip. Like that, I'm now 12 miles back in my training. Tack on a really lousy run on Sunday . . . and I started this week feeling like I've really taken a step back.

Well, today, I went for my Wednesday run with West Stride . . .and all I could think to myself was 'Welcome Back Cotter.' Whew! Faster pace, tough hills - ate me up! And I felt great afterward. I think I needed that to get me back on track. Now I just plan on a great run Saturday....which incidentally will be the longest distance I've ever run at 14 miles. The fact that I'm running with West Stride has me a little worried. At that distance, I don't know if I really need the hills that neighborhood will throw at me, but I'm excited to find out.