Running Reflections

I?ve been avoiding this serious running post for awhile. In all honesty, my life has been a bit too ?serious? lately, so I haven?t had the mental fortitude to write a reflective post.  But, things are starting to calm down and I think I?m finally ready to have a heart-to-heart conversation about running.

It?s no secret running and I have had a love/hate relationship for quite some time now.  Let me explain?

Long story short: after completing a marathon 2 and a half years ago, running and I haven?t had the same relationship since.

Don?t get me wrong, crossing the finish line of the Myrtle Beach Marathon is the proudest memory of my entire life. Finishing the marathon was the culmination of a lifelong dream, and a very emotional moment. When it was all over, I spotted my dad, gave him a huge hug, and cried tears of pure pride over my accomplishment.

Despite the immense fulfillment I received from accomplishing my dream, I have not felt passionate about running since the marathon?s conclusion.

I think there are 2 reasons for this:

1) Lack of post-marathon plan.  When would I begin running again?  How much time did my body need to completely heal?  How far would I run?  Would I train for another race?

2) Body Attack.  A few weeks after running the marathon, my friend Maribeth insisted I try a group fitness class at our gym.  At first I wasn?t too impressed.  But after months of long, solo workouts, I became floored by Body Attack?s ability to give me a full body workout in the short span of one hour.  Plus, it was a challenge!  I am not coordinated by nature, so learning the choreography was quite a feat. 

Body Attack Fly Jack

For a person without a plan, group fitness was the way to go.  There was no preparation required!  I just came to class and let the instructor tell me what to do.  No training plan necessary. 

Body Attack was exactly what I was craving at the time.  And after 2.5 years, I still LOVE Body Attack. 

But let?s be honest here.  I may be getting a wee bit burnt out.  I?m fairly certain I know many of the releases better than the instructors!  Yes, instructors, that is code for, ?I?m on to you when you mess up!!?.

So, like many times in the past 2.5 years, I?m currently tossing around the idea of becoming a full-time runner again. 

My running the past 2.5 years has been shoddy at best.  Besides the 5k I ran a few weekends ago, I haven?t been for a run in around 6 months.

I decided to end this no running streak by setting out for a 5-miler a couple Sundays ago.

And I was scared. 

Turns out, I should?ve been!  Let?s just say halfway through the run, a lot of walking occurred.  And it was not because I was intentionally employing the Galloway Method.  I was hurting.  Running even a few miles was hard.

I finished 5 miles in 1:08:51.  A person who used to run 9 miles in 1:20, I felt rather down after finishing this run.  Lot?s of negative self talk was happening in my mind.  Things like, ?I should just give up on running.?  ?I will never be a runner.? ?I?m so slow.?

By the time the run was over, I?d pretty much given up on my goal of getting back into running. (How?s that for a short-lived goal?) And in general, I just felt pretty miserable about my running self.

Later in the day, I called my sister who is also a runner.  As I was woefully explaining my 5-miler to her, she cut me short.

?Sis, you haven?t been running.  Of course your run was hard.  It will get easier.  You just have to run consistently.?  She also pointed out that 5 miles may be too much for me to handle considering it was one of my first attempts at running again.

Doh.

My sister is wise.  And I am too hard on myself.  Just because running 5 miles used to be easy, doesn?t mean it should be easy right now!  Despite being in the overall best shape of my life, I am not in running shape.  Cardio and plyometrics just don?t cut it.  One has to run in order to become a better runner.

The muscles and tendons in my legs and feet are not yet adapted to the stresses of running.  I must train them to become stronger, and I must start off slow.

So, I?ve formulated a loose plan for improving my endurance and speed.  And thus far, it has only involved running 2 to 3 days a week.  In two weeks, I?ve already seen a vast improvement! 

For example, here?s the data on a week?s worth of runs:

October 1st- 4 miles in 44:29, 11:06 average pace

October 5th- 2 miles in 17:46, 8:49 average pace

October 7th- 4 miles in 39:53, 9:58 average pace

Of course these stats are not where I want them to be, but I am proud of my improvement, and I have faith I will become a runner again.  I can do this!

 ***

Finally, on a less serious topic (if you call running ?serious?), check out the growth of my mini herb garden.

The basil (back right) is really blossoming!  The parsley has barely sprouted (left) and the chives are probably a lost cause at this point.

Question: It is getting down to the 40?s here at night.  Should I bring my herbies inside?  Can herbs grow in windowsills?  I?m trying to leave these plants outside as long as possible because I know my Conduct Disordered cat will eat them upon sight.

Another Question: If Stephen were to guest post, what kind of topics would you like to see him write about???

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