Here in my small coastal town in North Carolina, the sun is shining it's 73 degrees, the humidity is in the 70s, and the wind is kicking up. And, that's the reason I like running early in the morning. No sun. Generally, less wind. And while the humidity is higher, it is cooler and a more welcome feeling.
This morning, I set out to run Week 3, Day 1 of my C25K app. It was 90 seconds of running then 3 minutes of running repeated twice. I did it! But, the 3 minute segments were tough! I took about 10 seconds as a break during the first one. The second one needed a few 10 second walk breaks to get through. This had me wondering: How did I complete a half marathon only six weeks ago?
In mid-April I completed the Flying Pirate half marathon in Kitty Hawk, NC. I struggled to train for the event, but I still did it because I knew I wouldn't have the opportunity to do this particular event again in the near future. I had amazing support, and I knew what to expect since I had completed two half marathons before. I wasn't fast, and I was really sore for a few days after the run--but I'd completed it. Somehow this morning, it hit me that I probably shouldn't have been able to do that half marathon.
I've never thought of myself as a fast runner. And, that's one of the challenges of being a runner: You cannot (and should not) compare yourself to others. So, while I cannot even get through a 5k, or a 3 minute running segment on a morning run without taking a walk break, I can complete a distance of 13.1 miles (which in April, spanned three cities on the Outer Banks). This morning I struggled with running for 3 minutes straight, but in April I struggled with running for 90 seconds toward the end of my run. I guess it is all relative.
Until last week I hadn't run since the event in April. Now, I am basically starting over. And that's okay.
Keep up the good work because your pace is YOUR pace and no one else's.
ReplyDeleteI set out to beat my time for the last 7 mile run from Pi Day. My three minute 15 second segments were a struggle and I had trouble getting into the "groove". I had a spoonful of homemade PB goo and a cocoa no-bake energy ball along with my long-run zippfizz before I left the house. The route was pretty level, and since I was out of the house by 5 am, there was very little traffic. Temp was a lovely 68° and headed out in shorts and short sleeves. I made it to the turn to head back home just as the sun was peeking over the mountains. I didn't feel like I was struggling, just slow. I missed my mark by about three minutes.
With the marathon off the table, I need to re-chart my training and the long distances on the weekends to within half marathon range. The next race is in October, I don't want to feel under trained like I did for the Lake Powell Half last October. Easy through the week and endurance distances on the weekend. I need to up my rowing distance in prep for the rowing half marathon on the 21st.
There's only room for improvement.