I’m going to combine my last two running sessions for a couple of reasons. First, because the next week is going to be chock full of posts and I don’t want to fall behind. Second, because I think the combination paints a more complete picture of the overall state of fitness.
Week 3 Day 2 was hard. Really hard.
Last Monday, I was on what can only be called the runner’s high. I ran a great race and was positively giddy over my accomplishment.
So, of course, in true Murphy’s Law style, Thursday’s run, the first run after the race, was dismal.
It didn’t matter that I was up and out before the sun to try to avoid the heat. It didn’t matter that the name of the game was speed work (10 minute jog. 5 minute fast run, 10 minute jog), which I love. I just couldn’t get it together.
The air was nothing short of suffocating. Both my arms and legs were like lead. I couldn’t shake it. In the 35 minutes, I managed to knock out about 3.2 miles (including the warm up and cool down).
I’m not going to lie. It was discouraging and I really started questioning myself, wondering how I was ever going to manage to complete the 5-10K training, let alone successfully finish a 10 miler and half marathon.
But what comes down must go up. And Saturday morning’s run was fantastic. Week 3 Day 3 called for a 40 minute steady run; my longest yet. And I nailed it. I had two small shoe adjustment breaks, but I ran 3.82 miles at a 10:27 pace. Which says to me that I am doing this.
Running is not an instant gratification venture. Every step forward requires a substantial physical and emotional commitment. There’s no phoning it in. No halfway. You can’t get there overnight and there are no shortcuts. You have to put in the time, the effort, the hours, the miles.
It has been a hard and humbling lesson, but I keep coming back for more.
This week is going to be tough. We have little man’s graduation from VPK, along with all the assorted fanfare and events, plus the weather is threatening to be pretty miserable. I’m going to be working hard to fit in my running time, but I’ll do my best. I only have a few more weeks until my tonsilectomy and I need to make the most of it.
How do you handle training when you know that you’re going to be out of commission for a period of time?
What are your plans for the summer?
Don’t be discouraged! I have days like that too. In fact, I had a day like that just last week! I struggled to get through the run and even cut my run short. You’ll have your good days and you’ll have your bad days…but you’ll get through them. 🙂 I promise. Keep up the fantastic work!
Maria @ Lil Mys Ninja recently posted…Fit in Fitness Weekly Recap + Meal Planning {6/2/13}
I am learning that I have to look at everything as a whole, not day by day. While I’m happy to let the great performances stand on their own, that only makes the bad ones more disappointing. I can see that I’m improving every day, even if sometimes, I have to fight extra hard for it.
“Running is not an instant gratification venture.” This could not be more true! I always try to remind myself that its the tough runs that make the good ones great. Plus, I think the hard runs probably add more my overall improvement. Get through (and even appreciate) the bad ones, and totally celebrate the good ones! The summer weather, though…. there are I days I feel like I’m swimming it’s just that humid!
Larissa recently posted…I know you missed me
It’s just awful out. However, I think it will give me an edge for Tower of Terror. Rumor has it that race was in the 80s with 100% humidity, even at 10pm, and I can totally run in that. So, lemons-lemonade, right?
This may sound crazy, but since coming back from my stress fracture, I’ve learned to relish the crap runs.
Why? Because the make me feel like a runner. We all have awful runs, and when mine are a struggle, they remind me that I am a runner, and I am lucky to be running and not sidelined with an injury or illness.
Anne recently posted…I Wanted To Keel. Or Puke. Or Walk. Or All Three At Once.-Race Recap
<3 I really needed to hear this right now. Thank you.
runswithpugs recently posted…5-10K: week 3, day 2 {5.30.2013} & week 3, day 3 {6.1.2013}
The longer you run the more you’ll find you have good and bad days. The most important things is to realize bad days happen and not let them get you down.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…#GOALGETTER2013 May UPDATE
The sooner after a bad run I can get out there, the happier I am!
I am with Abby; you do realize that you will always have good and bad days. And the funny thing for me is that you can never predict them…when I think I will have a terrible run, it turns out to be awesome! You never know. The important thing is to think, well this is training! I’m sure the elites have not so hot days too! And get out there the next day and kick some asphalt!
Beth @ Read Hard Run Harder recently posted…Weekend Recap & The Weekly Chase #5
I can usually tell when a run is going to be rough, but I get out there anyway. The sooner the bad run is over, the sooner I can move on to something more positive.
runswithpugs recently posted…a big day
You are so right, running IS hard. I wish it were easy for me like it is for some people but it’s not. But it’s so satisfying to me when I finish, that it makes it almost worth it. 🙂 Keep at it! 🙂
Ari @ The Pace of it All recently posted…Oh hello June.
I wonder if it really is easy for anyone? I do have some reality checks with myself, along the way. I think there are certain things that I could do in order to make it a little easier (paying more attention to diet, putting in time at the gym), but those aren’t things that fit into my lifestyle at this time. I’m ok with that.
You are right, though. The finish is so satisfying. 🙂
runswithpugs recently posted…a big day