Yesterday’s run was entertaining; the first time I ever stopped on a run to take photos.  Thanks again for responding so well to the What would you like? thread, this was one of the suggestions and a fun one at that.  You’re about to see how spoiled I am and why I love running.

This is one of many bridges on my route

Look on the path near the bottom of this photo, notice a number with a line going across the path? It’s our 1/4 mile markers, they follow the 8.5 mi. loop around the museum. I ran the loop for a whole year without realizing they where there.  This is one of two spots where I do my interval sessions.

Coming back towards the city, a bit of skyline.

The back of the museum, about 3/4 mi from home.

Me, happy.

Getting Realistic

Good thoughts today, borne of a slow speed session.

First off, that remark I made about pacing someone in the previous post? Forget it, I just wanted an excuse to run slower.  Can’t blame me for trying.

Today I’m doing my speedwork (10.5mi with 6×1/2mi at 5K pace and 2min rec’s) and I couldn’t get moving fast, maybe due to lack of sleep, I could only manage 3:27s (6:55 pace) and though I felt I was working hard, my HR averaged 83%HRR on the fast parts and only maxed to 89% on one, so it was more like 10k effort.  When a workout goes like that, you have two choices: A. berate yourself or B. accept it was your best on that day and be happy with it.  I chose B.

I tend to get very philosophical while in the midst of a hard workout, though I think about the way my body’s moving and my form and footfall, I’ll also have bursts where I look for meaning in running and how I fit in.  It’s a helpful distraction from “how much longer” “where’s the end?” “almost half way” “shit, too slow” “where’s the end?!?”

Today’s thought was how we’re all unique within this sport.  We each have something about us that makes our running adventure special, unlike anyone else’s and when we’re stalled or questioning ourselves, it’s worth taking the time to remember those things.

I’m always comparing myself to my faster online friends, many of whom are enjoying continued speediness, while I seem to be on the two steps forward, one step back plan.  Why do I conveniently manage to forget that I’m a 48 year old woman?  I’ve got no right to ever feel sorry for myself.  To that end, I punched my Half PR in an age-grade calculator to see what it’d be for a 35 year-old man…1:16.  I have nothing to complain about.

Let The Goal Appear

I’ve been trying to fit numbers into a goal, but really, that’s ass-backwards.  The goal needs to come from the numbers.  I’m slower than last cycle, and while I’ve been boo-hooing about it, if I could manage to be objective and enjoy what I have instead of thinking wistfully of what I don’t, it’d make for a better 10 weeks coming up.

You know what a mental case I am, well I have a 5-mile race next week and a Half in March and I was fretting over what sort of times I can expect – especially from the 5-miler since I haven’t raced in months.   But after my speed session today and a dose of logical thinking, I thought, what will happen if I come back with a bad result?  Does that make me stupid?  A bad runner?  Not a good person?  I don’t think so.  Interesting how much crap from the universe we can subconsciously attach to a race time.

Tomorrow

We’re expecting 10 to 20″ of snow tomorrow with high winds, so I’ll likely take the day off – no loss, it was a recovery run anyway.  In the morning I’ll be adding 10 new designs to The Gifted Runner, woohoo!

OK, have a good Wednesday and cheers to my snow buddies across the Eastern seaboard. Stay safe and warm, everyone.

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