Today's run was a mixed bag. The weather was terrible. Leaving the running store took some guts. It wasn't the light misty rain we so often get here in Washignton. Our shoes were squishing within the first mile. It was cold. Really cold. And very windy. I couldn't decide if it was worse to have the rain in my face or have to hold it so it didn't blow off my head. It was brutal.
The first mile was completely into a headwind. I almost turned around and went back. But this is the first week of marathon training. I knew if I bailed on this run I was basically bailing on the entire plan. I knew I had to give it the good ole collage try.
There was an up side though. The past few long runs I've had it's been really hard for me mentally. I've felt every mile. I knew it was my mind hurting me, but I didn't know how to get out of the cycle of psyching myself out during my long runs.
Today I was concentrating so hard on how miserable the weather was and stopped thinking of how miserable my body was. So I actually felt pretty good! For the first time in awhile I hit that "cruise control" pace. The pace that you feel like you can run for miles. The pace that helps you remember that running long distances is possible. I was so happy to finally find that sweet spot again.
Terra and I were supposed to go 13 miles today, but we ended up back at the running store at 12.55 miles. Usually I'm the type that has to get the exact mileage prescribed and so I would have kept running until I hit that extra mark. But today's weather made it not worth it. My fingertips were blue when I was done. I was so cold.
My goal pace for the day was a 7:56. I only managed a 8:06 overall pace. My whole pace was thrown off by the 11th mile which I did at a 8:44 pace . It was completely uphill and with the headwind and the rain pelting my face I don't feel that I really could have gone much faster.
Although the weather was brutal, overall it was a pretty encouraging run.
I froze the entire drive home and when I showed up back at my doorstep my Mom and cousin Sarah (who are visiting, hooray!!) probably though I was crazy. I had to stand next to the shower spray for a few minutes until I warmed up enough to touch the water. I was so cold.
Jason and Terra joined us for dinner and we had a big ole party! I love when we have lots of people come over because that means we can serve more variety of food. We had butternut squash, asparagus, strawberries, pears, apples, and of course a major pasta dish. Plus we had strawberry filled cream cheese frosted cupcakes and what we call chocolate casserole (3 kinds of chocolate chips, crushed oreos, chocolate cereal, and sweetened condensed milk all baked together) for dessert. It was super deluxe. (Plus we had panini's, salad and cantaloupe for lunch. Warm sandwiches on a cold day are so good.)
After the workout Sarah, Terra and I busted our a Jillian Michael's Ab DVD. It was fun to get moving again after a big meal. (We played a few hands of the game Quiddler in between to settle our stomachs.) When I'm really cold I tense one of my hips when I run. And as I was working out I realized that one hip is going to be sore in the morning (that's the hard thing about cold runs, my muscles never had a chance to warm up).
What an awesome day.
Training in weather like that is so good sometimes. When I finish I always feel like I"m unstoppable. Nothing can get me down. I hope you felt like that yesterday! I would consider the run a total success. I hate wind so much- it slows me down like crazy. I'm willing to be your paces would have been much faster if only you didn't fight the weather. Good job, I say.
ReplyDeleteAnd you should send me the chocolate casserole recipe.
Done, I sent it to you. It's totally easy and super yummy!
DeleteI love days like this. Hard core run. Family time. Good food. Rainy/freezing/windy runs are so tough to get through, but then I feel super awesome afterward. Glad you made the decision to call it good at 12.55. Most times I am anal about finishing my miles exactly, but every once in a while when I realize it's not worth it (like your poor freezing fingers), it reminds me that I have control over my running, which is good to remember sometimes I think. Anyway, I'm jealous of your awesome day!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, I did feel super hardcore afterwards. You're right, I do forget I actually have control over what I run, but most of the time it's good that I don't remember that!
DeleteGreat job on the run especially in the cold! The good food and quality time with family sounds like a pretty way to spend the rest of the day though. I've never heard of Quiddler before.
ReplyDeleteQuiddler is a fun word game (I love word games.). Good food, family and a run always make for an awesome day!
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