If you read this blog you know I have been struggling with my long runs. No, they have not been bad, yes, one of them has been great, but overall they did not feel as smooth as my speed and tempo runs. I know I am built for shorter distances, both mentally and physically. I can put up with a lot of hurt for a short amount of time. I get intimidated by long distances. I have strong muscles which are now popping out from my legs when I walk or run. I do not have the zero body fat like fast marathoners (I am not complaining here, I like what I have!).
Yet I am one who perseveres. I do believe that hard work makes runs easier, even the long runs. And today I've got a bit of a reward.
The run went like this: 9 miles steady @ MP, 1 mile easy, 4 miles with 5X3 min @ MP-10/25secs, 3 min easy; 3 miles @ MP +5secs. It was very humid this morning, and the initial plan was not to run this fast. But I felt good, and, even though I had a challenging week of training (some 800ms on Monday, a 12 miler with 6 miles @ MP-10 on Wednesday, 1 tempo with 3X10min @ HM/10K pace on Thursday, and an easy runs with hill sprints on Tuesday), the overall mileage has been lower, so I trusted that my body could handle the run. Was it easy? No. Was is hard at the end? Yes. Did it help that I had a small window of time to get the run done? Yes. But the point is, I ran hard long. My body does not feel trashed right now. I convinced myself that I could handle the run, when, at mile 2 of the first 9 miles, I remembered how I hit the wall several weeks ago when I started the run too fast, at a pace that was much slower than today's.
So I am feeling cautiously optimistic about my marathon. There is still work to be done, but I see things coming together even for this unnatural wanna be marathoner!
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9 comments:
I didn't run the 1 min hard at 10k pace...I ran it all out, which is why I was so beat. I didn't want to change my garmin settings or lap each split so the pace shown was overall mile pace. Next time I will definitely be lapping my watch and pacing better. Either way it was a great workout and that portion of the run went really fast....
Wow, incredible as always:)
I wonder where you got your plan? You might have mentoned it before, but I forgot. I suppose that it is a combination of some book/internet plan and your own thing.
AM...I am starting to think you are the numbers queen!! :)
The week sounds ridiculously hard and I am sure it will pay off big dividends,
Not zero body fat? Join the club. Who wants to look like that anyway? I just want to transplant my fat from my stomach to my sports bra. Ah well....:)
Doing GREAT, Anamaria! I can't wait to see your new PR!!
Holy Smack long run!!! 9@MP and then intervals 20-25 seconds under. Add to the fact that I'm pretty sure this run was longer than your plan called for:)
Great week again!! Running tempo right after a great 12 mile. Nice job girl!!
Yes, you surely ARE one who perseveres. No doubt about that. I've seen this and admired this in you from day ONE! You HAVE and will continue to reap MANY MANY rewards with this mindset!
Optimistic here for you as well! Only, I'm dropping the adjective:) 7 weeks!
Excellent news!!! Very happy you are mentally feeling stronger by having a stellar running week. You are going to do fantastic in the marathon!!
What a summer you've had - you've worked SO hard! Love the high mileage and you seem to be able to handle it so well. Looking over your posts I am impressed - you might feel you're not always at 100% but I see incredible dedication and focus.
You never fail to inspire Ana Maria!
wanna be?!? psssh!!
i hope you find your groove, i know how much it sucks to feel off/lack motivation/etc...
i also hope irene didn't cause any damage where you are!
anyone who follows your blog KNOWS VERY well, you will always persevere. This is one reason we love reading your blog. You are one tough cookie!
Hey girl! You have reason to be cautiously optimistic. I'm optimistic for you! :) I just can't wait to see you run your marathon after watching your training and knowing what a go-getting bad ass you are. I love the part of you that can just go out and bust your ass, put yourself in pain and do what it takes to get the job done without holding back. I want some of that.
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