October19
Well, since I let the secret out last week, I figured that I should continue to update anyone who is interested on how my running is going. Jason ran a 10K race on Saturday, and I took the boys to find him on the course and wave to him, and then we met him at the finish line. He did so well! I was so proud of him. :-) (Because my husband rocks!) In addition to feeling proud, though, I also felt motivated. If he is already running 10K races in under an hour, I need to get myself in gear and get working on my training.
Between my post last week and his great time in the race, I had the extra motivation I needed last night to complete my 3rd workout of the week. Generally, I run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Saturday depending on our weekend schedule. Monday’s run went pretty well. I ran about 1.5 miles, and then I took a short walking break before I finished the last mile. Wednesday was TERRIBLE! I’m not sure what happened. I felt tired almost as soon as I started running, and I only made it to about 1.75 miles before I ended up walking the rest. Ugh, it was disappointing and frustrating. Then, on Saturday, we went to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law’s house for my niece’s fourth birthday. We got home late, and I had a greasy piece of yummy pizza for supper followed up by some birthday cake and ice cream. I was pretty sure that Saturday’s run was going to mirror the one I’d had on Wednesday, but I decided to give it a try (as spurred on by the 2 previously mentioned motivators!). I ran the first mile and a half at my usual pace of 4.2 miles per hour. Then, since I was feeling good, I decided to run the next half mile at 4.5. I went back down to 4.2 for .75 miles, and then I did the last .25 miles at 4.5. I was really happy about that run. I felt good while I was doing it. I ran the entire distance. I increased my speed a little, and I made my goal!
After that run, I decided that I needed to get serious about making a plan. Jason had used the Hal Higdon 10K running plan for his race yesterday. He felt like it prepared him well, and he was quite satisfied with it. I decided to (again) follow his lead, and starting a week from tomorrow, I’m going to start that plan, too. I’m a little nervous about it, but I’m hoping that things will progress gradually from here on out.
Since my other post, I’ve had a few people visit with me about running.
“Doesn’t it make your feet hurt?” Surprisingly, no. In the beginning, I had hoped it would so I would have an excuse to quit.
“I’ve tried running, but I just don’t enjoy it.” I started running in June. I definitely did not enjoy it in the beginning. I’m not quite sure I would say that I enjoy it now either, but I can say that it does feel good. It makes me feel strong and, I know it’s good for me.
I’m not saying that everyone should run or that I’m for sure going to be able to run the half marathon in May, but I do think that there’s something to be said for making a goal and sticking with it even if it is *very* much outside your comfort zone. That’s essentially my goal. I think the 13.1 miles are secondary.