{If you’re new to SIDI here’s some info: At the beginning of each week on FCITC “Say it, Do it” is a chance for us to commit to our workouts for the week by saying them out loud here and keeping each other accountable.}
Saturday morning I met up with my favorite long run, running partner Lora. She had 20 on tap, but lucky for me I only had 18. Overall I felt good for the first 14 miles. For some reason I assumed I would feel just as good the last eight miles as I had the first fourteen, but I was wrong.
Those last four miles were tough and included a stretch break between miles 11 and 12. Gearing back up for the final three miles after a quick pit stop proved to be a challenge.
The run felt much better than my first 18-miler of this training schedule, but I still didn’t feel confident. The walk breaks, the pace, the struggle… they all made me doubt my ability to run 26.2 miles at a challenging pace.
Driven, by the desire to hit forty miles this week, I ran an easy paced 7.5 mile recovery run today.
That run tasted like dessert.
My legs were tired, heavy and tight. I put my ear buds in and my iPhone on shuffle and plodded along the bridle path. It was the most perfect, in-the-zone run I’ve had in ages. Being in Central park running at an easy pace without expectation let my mind move past my thoughts of doubt and uncertainty.
Except for high school I never even ran for a specific goal time until just a few years ago when I ran the Music City Half Marathon. At that time I didn’t think I’d actually run another marathon, but the goal of running Boston haunted me. In fact it haunted me so much that I decided to run another marathon. I was driven by a goal and a desire, not a by the love of long distance running (not to be confused with my general love of a running, it’s always been here).
That thought process of needing to at least try to qualify for Boston lead me to where I am today, feeling like the obsessed runner I was in 1999 only faster, older and slightly wiser. I never anticipated I’d be a girl with three marathons on her calendar for 2013.
I’m racking up more miles than I have in ages; I’m careful about what foods I eat and I’m loving every glorious and painful moment.
Say it, Do it! {7 weeks till race week}
- Monday: Spin
- Tuesday: : 5×1600 + strength
- Wednesday: Rest
- Thursday: 8-10 easy + strength
- Friday: Spin or rest
- Saturday: 8 easy
- Sunday: 20 miles
What’s changed for you as a runner that’s surprised you the most?
Let me know in the comment section what workouts you’re committing to this week or if you’re doing your own SIDI it post this week leave me the link so I can check it out!
“That run tasted like dessert”
– that’s an unusual way to put it but I love that sentence 🙂
Happy Easter!
I’ve decided to add SIDI to my Sunday posts! Here’s my plan for the week:
http://mommiesrun.blogspot.com/2013/03/whats-for-dinner-9-say-it-do-it-and.html
Thank you!
One day I want to run in Central Park, you New Yorkers make it sound so great! Congrats on your long run, you will be so fit once the 26.2 come around! It takes a not so awesome run to learn and some very awesome runs to build confidence. It`s great that you finished happily and were able to run your recovery run so well!
Happy Easter 🙂
P.S. SIDI – I am going to start training again this week, I have no specific goals other than to get out there, because I was in bed with a bad flu for weeks now and all I want is to run a few miles and break a sweat.
The biggest thing that’s changed for me is even considering I’m a runner, since for so long I thought I could never run a mile. But I think what’s also changed is that I run for a challenge and to set goals for myself, as opposed to running to lose weight, which is why I first started running.
My weekly goals!
http://www.jensbestlife.com/2013/04/weekly-goals-and-workout-recap-rusty.html
I think what’s surprising for me is how much I miss running when I can’t do it! I’m happy to be back at it and ready to start thinking about what I want to do this year (yes, I know, the year is already a quarter of the way over!).
Monday – hill workout
Tuesday – rest
Wednesday – 5-6 miles
Thursday – some sort of class, not sure what yet
Friday – 5-6 miles
Saturday – yoga
Sunday – 5-6 miles
Hey there, so glad you’re running like crazy. I’ve been writing like crazy and spinning and sort of forgot my body (in a way). I will run this week, that’s my SIDI.
I decided to try the SIDI posts! Here is a link to mine =)
http://reach-yourpeak.com/2013/04/02/say-it-do-it/
Hope it keeps me accountable with my cross training!
Where’s the mirror with the words on i? I like it!
New Balance in Flatiron!
I’m late with my SIDI but here goes:
Mon – short run/core – check!
Tues – Vinyasa Yoga – check!
Wed – 6 miles in CP
Thurs – 4-5 miles in CP
Fri – Tempo
Sat – strength & core
Sun – Intervals
What’s changed the most- I used to HATE running with others and it was all about pushing myself. Now, my attitude is much more warm. I love running with friends and changing paces if someone needs to walk a hill or grab a drink. I also don’t say I “have” to go for a run to day, I say I “GET” to go for a run today! The two changes have made running such a blast!
The SIDI makes sense. You have to plan every aspect of your life if you want to accomplish something. The same goes for exercise and running.