# I love, love my long runs. The longer the better. I love to run them alone now. I love to be able to listen to my podcasts, music, etc, be anonymous, able to observe or space out!
# My training plan works. I am getting faster. My comfortable pace is getting faster. It's happening again before my brain can fully understand this, and I feel a bit shocked to see my times on the Garmin. Gosh, last year around this time I was thrilled with 20 milers at 9 min/mile pace. Now I am running them sub 8, with less pain, minimal or no muscle soreness. Last year around this time my knees and feet were killing me, and now I am pain free. I guess my body is getting used to the load... Feels great.
# I love winter running and racing. I love not having to wake up at 5am to run before it gets very hot out. I love that my face is tanned in the winter and people keep asking me whether I just got back from somewhere warm. I love that winter does not get to me. In New England, most people I know get tired of winter by February. I don't. I love when my cheeks get red from the cold, when I smell fresh cold air, and warm up with a grande latte afterwards.
# I did not make it into the Half at Hamptons Half marathon. I did not register on time. Bummer. I wanted to run a flat and fast half, but I'll have to wait until spring/summer. I did register for the Bedford Half marathon. This one is hilly, but perhaps a better prep for Boston. I am still planning on PRing there.
18 comments:
Wow, it sounds like your doing great with your training! You were able to take a whole minute off each mile of a 20 miler since last year!!! That is so awesome:) I tend to complain about winter running in Minnesota but I agree about not having to worry about the heat and ect.
I hope that you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
wow those times are awesome
Awesome! I don't think I'm afraid of pain. I like it. To me it's a signal that I'm giving it everything i have and those are the days that boost your fitness level way up there! I just wrote a post about this today. :) Of course, I was feeling that pain on the bike, but same philosophy.
Love this post! So positive...I enjoy winter running too. Its nice to be comfortable outside when the weather is below freezing. And I'm loving all my new winter gear :)
Awesome job! Your progression over the last year is pretty amazing. Something is working, obviously a huge part is your great mental approach. It's great that you love winter running, I think if you can maintain or improve over the winter, the rest of the year just becomes so much easier
Winter running is my fave, I have to admit. When everyone else was freaking about the cold temps at Disney, I was pumped (well, other than the standing out in the cold beforehand part). I've actually come to realize that all of my PRs have come in cold weather . . . coincidence? I think not!
Glad to hear your training is really paying off! I love, love, love it when you can see huge differences like that in such a short time. Keep up the great work! You inspire us all! :)
You are one of the bloggers that both inspires me and refreshes me. You are always so positive! Sounds like you're training is really going well, stay strong! I have really watched your training change and take shape and it's so exciting.
New Bedford is actually not a really slow course--unless the day is windy. If it's windy, it's a REALLY tough course. A good prep for Boston, though--you are right there.
I think to get to that zone you have to have a ton of practice moving beyond the pain. I think it's like a place just beyond where we are now, and youcan't will it--it just has to come.
I love your positive attitude! I absolutely love running and almost everything that comes with it. A day after BayState, I was telling Nick how I couldn't wait for another opportunity to run a marathon. He was beside himself. He asked how I could possibly contemplate another one. I told him I just love running. And I do...
Your training is amazing. I can't wait until I can start training hard again. I miss it!
catching up....
Great job on the 20 miler. I can't wrap my head around what running in that cold temp. feels like, but you nailed it! Also cool you met a running legend. No wonder you blew those last few miles out of the water!
Sometimes I am able to focus on teh task at hand. Usually it's always during a speedsession. I love the pain of speedwork. It's during my longer runs that it gets the best of me. I'm not sure why that is, but I wish I had more of your menatality toward the longer runs.
Sounds like the stars are lining up for you. Your body is reacting perfectly to all your work!
i am in the New Bedford Track Club which is where the NB half marathon takes place so i guess its sort of related :-) That's a pretty big event for our club, most people run it. see you there I guess. it's not hilly, there are 3 hills. There is a long stretch of potentially STRONG head winds but that's all. It's a good course to PR on.
Running is not painful for me, if it hurt, i probably wouldn't do it. but then again, maybe it's my mind that is strong....i dunno. interesting!
You are totally going to ROCK Boston! Your training is awesome and you'd be ready to go tomorrow! So fun to see progress! I remember a time when I would run for one song at 7 mph and almost die. Winter here is a bit too cold for me to say I love it! I do love 20 degrees and not much wind! I miss 5 am summer runs outside at 50 degrees with birds and crickets! I would actually lose sleep in excitement for my long runs in these conditions! The long ones have become a little bit of a chore lately but your great attitude is inspiring me. Thanks!!
Have you ever read, "Brain Training for Runners" ?? It talks about getting into a zone and accepting pain as part of the hard work we've done. The time I remember getting totally into a zone and worrying about pace was when I qualified for Boston at St. George and the one half marathon last summer when I forgot my watch. I become a victim to my watch and that has proven to me to be deadly. I need to retrain my mind again to trust!
you are amazing :) love watching you get faster and faster!!! i love long runs too and am so excited they are getting longer!!
You are so inspirational.... ran my first marathon at 17... now training for my first since I had kids.... and trying to get my mileage in with all of my snow. UGH!
Love that you love winter racing. I think there are two things w/ pain - one is I think you learn to embrace the pain, but don't suffer. Suffering is different from embracing the pain I think :) Happy running!
Sounds like you're in a pretty fantastic space. keep up the good work!
What time of day do you get to run? Sounds like you have a flexible schedule. That's great. I think you will experience that zone before long if you haven't already. Your running has improved hugely.
Post a Comment