12 miles at Trinity River with my friends at 7am. Weather= 36F, 5mph wind, cloudy. miles 1-6: 8:40, 8:23, 8:16 , 8:21, 8:23, 8:29 miles 7-12: 9:04, 9:13, 9:33, 9:41, 9:34, 9:50 So a few things... I met up with my friends who I feel like I have no business running with at the moment. They have been all running marathons while I have been slacking... I can't even keep up a conversation because I am out of breath. There were a total of 6 of us girls today. I struggled the first two miles. At the two mile water stop, I told them I would slow down and not keep up... but then I didn't. I guess what I would call my pride kicked in... and it wouldn't let me slow down. So for miles 3-6 I actually was slightly ahead of everyone else. I had to just focus on myself and the techno dance/trance music in my iPod and that was it. With both earbuds in my ears I powered through the pain. Oh, the pain. The rest of the girls were on a slow, easy, long run where they talked and laughed. I used to do that with them when I was in shape, but today I was on a stupid, ill advised run where I pushed myself harder and longer than my current fitness. In order to go this pace, I had to ignore people and focus on my own breathing and mechanics. I think my friends are getting tired of me doing this thing where I don't talk and instead put my ipod in and plow ahead of them. I don't blame them. However, if I didn't do it, I'd be in much more pain and I'm sure I couldn't keep up with them right now. This is the story of 2012. I'm always doing this to them because this year I have constantly been out of shape (as compared to previous years). They all could kick my ass in races. I know that! I'm sensing that they might think I'm trying to be competitive or that I'm not social. When we are at water breaks, I tell them the reason I'm plowing ahead and not talking while running. I say that I'm trying to focus so I don't fall behind because this is so hard for me. I get the sense that they don't either don't understand or they are tired of it. I understand and I don't blame them. So anyways. After 6 miles, the rest of my friends were going on and turning around at mile 8 for a total of 16 for the day. I decided that I should turn around at 6 for 12. I slowed way down when they left me. Biggest problem was that after I slowed down my legs seemed to freeze up. Not sure if that was because of being out of shape or because of the weather since after I slowed down my body felt WAY colder than it did when I was running faster... maybe it was a combo. I was really uncomfortable running back because my legs felt stiff. Had some trouble with my IT band on mile 11. Glad I turned around when I did. Progress is progress though. And I've decided for my next goal: I'm doing Benbrook 1/2 marathon on Jan 26, and Cowtown FULL marathon on Feb 24. Neither will PR... but it will be a success if I overcome this "depression" funk and lost these 6 pounds I've gained during it.
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