I’ve kept a little diary of what I did and how I have felt during each run this past week.
Tuesday: 3 miles. After getting home from Boise on Monday, I was looking forward to being out in “normal” temperatures (for me), and I was not disappointed. Thank you, Boise, for kicking my ass and making me appreciate what I have. Had a great run! Still knocking off seconds from my average overall pace… about 5 to be exact. I felt great and, instead of keeping track of how far I’ve gone, I kept track of my intervals, concentrating only on what I was doing right then and right there. Running in the moment, so to speak. I knew my route, I knew how long it was, so having to concentrate only on running (and my music) was a good thing. It helped.
Wednesday: 4 miles. I only made it 3-1/2. I ran one particular hilly loop that I thought would get me 4, but I was wrong. Not my best run ever. I’m getting tired of hills, but they’re all around me, so I have to suck it up. I was tired when I woke up this morning, but I got up and got out, that’s most important. Consistency and perseverance… words to live by. Too many negative thoughts as well. And I need to focus more on my intervals, not my overall pace. 8 miles this Sunday, yikes. I’ve got some major mental work to do before then. The positive I can take from this? It’s so beautiful in the morning, I love being out in it and getting my day started this way.
Thursday: Cross train. Haha, yeah right. 🙂
You can’t see it that well, but this is a spider web. My job first thing in the morning is to walk or run through every single one that I can in order to clear the path for other runners and walkers.
Friday: 3 miles. Nailed it! Took another 16 seconds off my average pace. 16 x 3 = 48, so that’s almost a minute off my total time… and every last minute counts (this is my thought process on how I show myself that, yes, little by little I am getting faster). I also received a text early on from The Motivator (on my handy dandy new watch), “Go go go!! Visualize… happy hour!” Yep, that got me going! Looking forward to happy hour tonight!!
Saturday: Rest. Oh yes I did!!
These posts signify the halfway point for an 8-mile run. They’re a very important landmark when you feel like you’re about to die.
Sunday: 8 miles. Holy cow. I don’t remember 8 miles being this hard before. I felt good and strong in the beginning, but at mile 4, I drank some Gatorade (low sugar kind), which I never do because it gives me a stomachache when I run, but I thought I would try that as opposed to an S-Cap to replete my electrolytes. And I don’t know if it was the Gatorade or not, but at mile 6.5, I started feeling nauseous. I never feel nauseous when I run. This was a brand new feeling. WTH? I did stop and walk until the feeling passed. Why is the body always coming up with really stupid stuff to slow you down? Regardless, compared to last year, Strava says I’m trending faster. I wasn’t overly impressed with the outcome and was relatively disappointed, but I can look at the bright side… I get to do it all over again next week.
The Motivator: His training plan makes mine look like a walk in the park. Monday was 5 miles, Tuesday was 8 miles (to which he barely broke a sweat), Wednesday was 6, Thursday was 5 miles of intervals (but his intervals are run fast and run faster), Friday was a rest day, Saturday was a quick 5, and today, Sunday, was a sweet 16, for a total of 45 miles this past week. Oh my. Guess I need to suck it up and just deal with my training plan because it could be a heck of a lot worse!!
Next weekend, James has a half-marathon for which he’s registered, The Bridge of the Gods in Oregon. It will be a fun little getaway, but I have to figure out how to fit another 8 miler in there somewhere. It’ll work itself out, it always does. Maybe I’ll sign up for the 10K just to get the run in… 🙂
Have a fabulous week!
Never A Dull Bling 
Congratulations!! Not only on your running progress, but for also clearing spiders in your path! 😊 It’s great to read this as it provides motivation for us all! Keep it up!
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Thank you so much for that! It means the world to me! (And I take my job as web clearer very seriously! If I miss it going out, I’m sure to get it coming back, hehe)
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Sounds like a really good week of training. Congratulations. And ha-ha on the spider web thing! That’s my job too.
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Hee hee! Thank you!! 🙂
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I also skipped cross training 😛
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Haha, it’s the easiest to skip, isn’t it! 🙂
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I just cant be bothered!
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Wish you’d come over to South London and do some spider clearing around there…. I HATE them!!!
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Hahahaha, yeah, me too!! 🙂
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Way to go! I am happy to see someone else is on a similar training plan. I did my first 10 miler this morning. I am guessing the Gatorade did make you nauseous- it’s good to find these things out during training instead of during a race! What are you training for- marathon? Half?
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Thank you!! It’s a half, end of September. Yeah, I think it was the Gatorade too, as that’s the only variant to my routine. I would’ve been better off with GU, water, and an S-Cap! 🙂
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I like the motivational card at the top 😉 well done on your week’s running. I’m going to have to start sticking to a plan at one point, but for now, I’m just trying to get out there 3 times a week, in any kind of form….
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Thank you!! Sign up for a race or event! That’ll keep you motivated to get out there, 😉
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I have! 🙂 that’s the problem… 😉 I’m doing a marathon. But not til next year. So at the moment, I’m just trying to get back to running. I’ve got a (very short) triathlon coming up in a few weeks, but it’ll just be a question of getting round. But yes… after that… will definitely find some interim races to get to. I always need something to aim for.
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Yes! I need something to aim for too! A tri is a huge deal! I wish you much luck on it! I’d like to do one someday! And a full marathon? You are brave! Get out there and get at least three 20 milers in! Is it your first?
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It’s my second. But the first one was 13 years ago! And I was a lot younger/fitter and had more time to train. But even then I didn’t do enough training, so I really hated the whole thing… So yes… I am going to make sure I really put the miles in this time.
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“Why is the body always coming up with really stupid stuff to slow you down?” – THIS SO MUCH! You’re kicking so much butt, good job on those runs! I say to the 10k, it will give you that thrill of an organized race. GREAT JOB hitting 8 miles, even with the nausea. Have you tried Nuun? That’s my go-to electrolyte drink. Very gentle on the stomach.
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I know right! And James and I were talking about Nuun, but they don’t usually have that on race day… but I do run with bottles, so maybe! Thank you for the cheers! That 8 miles kicked my ass, but we shall persevere, won’t we!!
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