Saturday, May 28, 2011

Entering New Territory

Well, this was it.  Today was the very last of my short runs on weekends.  I went 3 miles today but next week I'm entering the unknown.  Next week will be a four mile run for the First. Time. EVER.  I am more than just a little nervous.  I have only been running for three months and I'm about to push my limits again.  I have such mixed feelings about my goals. On the one hand, I am scared to death to even attempt a 10k.  One sentence crosses my mind over and over again, "What was I thinking?"  Yet, on the other hand, I have absolutly SHOCKED myself these past three months.  I went from barely being able to eek out a mile it a 16:00/mile pace to running 3 at a 14:00/mile pace. Just going for three miles, walking or running, used to seem impossible to me.  How could I do it?  But I did.  I completed a 5k when I thought I couldn't and I will complete the 10k as well.  One step at a time, one foot in front of the other.  Yes, four miles seems daunting.  So do five and six, but if I focus on one week at a time I can do it.  I guess I really am okay with crossing this threshold.  Moving on to an unknown is exciting.  I get to see what else I can do.
When I left the house this morning, I wasn't sure I could do it.  I haven't run three mile for over a month and I was nervous.  I did make the big mistake of not eating before I left.  I was going at a decent speed but halfway through I could feel my energy slipping.  I will say one really wonderful thing I've learned from running is how to listen to my body.  I knew I couldn't keep pushing at the pace I was going.  If I did, I would pass out.  My body told me to walk and save a bit of energy to finish.  I walked for about four minutes before I felt recovered.  After that, I picked up the pace I was able to run the rest of my splits.  I didn't pass out, I didn't even feel shaky.  I just listened to what my body told me and I was able to keep a decent pace and finish.  I hope that I can do that during all my races.  I hope that I can keep being in tune with how much I can push myself.  I love that when it comes to keeping myself from injury, I can listen to what my body has to say.  Now if I could only figure out what it's saying when it comes to nutrition....

Stats:

Distance
3.00
Mi.
Duration
42:13
Avg. Pace
14:04
Avg Speed
4.26
mph



Splits

IntervalsPace (min/mi)Elevation (ft)
5:00 (fast)13:38-1
1:00 (slow)14:141
5:00 (fast)13:413
1:00 (slow)15:511
5:00 (fast)13:475
1:00 (slow)15:341
5:00 (fast)14:243
1:00 (slow)16:04-1
5:00 (fast)13:43-9
1:00 (slow)19:01-1
5:00 (fast)13:460
1:00 (slow)15:31-0
5:00 (fast)13:48-3
1:00 (slow)14:062
5:00 (fast)15:511

4 comments:

  1. You'll be shocked how fast three miles goes from a long run to a restful short run.

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  2. You are doing great! I ran my first 4 miler about 2 weeks ago. It started out bad since I just wasn't feeling it that day. Once I got started I felt just fine. Once I hit 4 miles I felt guilty for having such a bad slow start, so I decided to run an extra .44 miles just to make up for it. I ended up running 4.44 miles and it wasn't that hard. I just notice a little bit in my legs and hips but that is all. I have a 5 mile tomorrow and I am a little worried about it. I took off 2 running days since I was so tired from the garage project. I didn't do my 2 miles yesterday and don't know if I should today since I have such a long one tomorrow. Either way don't stress too much. It comes more quickly then you realize.

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  3. Good luck ramping up the mileage! Don't look too many weeks ahead; just follow the plan. You will amaze yourself!

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  4. Keep up the good work, Liz! You're doing great!

    ReplyDelete