Starting somewhere

Today I had probably one of the most forced runs of my life.

I’ve been working on accepting my lack of desire to run, yet I  know I need to do at least a little running each week to maintain a base. This is important, as I don’t want to be starting from scratch when I begin my training program.

It was only 10 miles but it felt like 20 – I hardly ever actually want to stop during my runs, but today it was a constant mental battle to keep going.

The good part was that I kept running, the not-so-good part was that I was slow, really slow for me. The first 5 miles were at a 9:00 minute pace, and the last 5 miles were at a 9:30 pace.

I thought my muscles would feel a little more fresh and ready to run fast, but…

• maybe all the stairmaster, fitness classes and yoga take more of a toll on my body  than I realize?
• maybe I didn’t fuel properly? I did actually feel hungry in the last couple of miles.
• maybe I’m a little more out-of-running shape than I thought?

I know I’m strong and fit and in shape right now, but being in running shape is so different for me. I believe that for my body, running involves

• a certain set of muscles that don’t really get worked any other way
• my joints being used to the pounding
• and getting into my groove mentally.

There’s only one way to find out if I am out of running shape and fit it. In the next couple of weeks, I’m going to start running more (at least 4 days a week for 3-10 miles each time), see what happens, then probably increase to 5 days per week and more miles, and build up that way until training starts in mid-December.

I think (or hope) I am just a little mentally and physically “out of it” with running, and hopefully I get get back into it before I start training for Boston. I don’t want the training to be a complete shock for my body.

Here are some pictures that might help get me excited about running…

2007 Peachtree Road Race in Georgia (largest 10k in the US)

A really fun race to run, always on July 4th!

Hugging Ben during my very first marathon in Boston 2008

Probably the best race of my life – HMRM 2009, where I qualified for Boston…

and won my age group.

Boston 2010 – my 3rd, but 1st as a qualifier. (With my best cheerleader & biggest fan).

(With one of my custom made Snoopy posters from my other cheerleader, Katrina!)

2010 Wicked Half Marathon

Where I got another age group prize

Gotta keep my mind on this…

And how amazing it feels to turn onto this street after running 26 miles.

I will get there. Have to start somewhere!

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Day 19 & 20 The November Gratitude Project

Yesterday:I am grateful for being able to work with very smart, motivated individuals – it has given me a lot of valuable experience.

Today: I am grateful for coffee, bagels, and pumpkin bread. (This gives you an idea of the kind of day I’m having ).

What are you grateful for today? Every comment means an entry for a sweet giveaway!

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I was going to bake something today, but for some reason I am so tired. Gotta keep working on applications – Ben and I are going on a dinner date so that I have something to look forward to

I hope you are having a great weekend!

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