AM
Ice and snow again. Sigh. Schools called off. Wrecks all over the freeway. Unable to get to the gym or run outside. Once again, the need for a treadmill is reinforced. Not going to let it get me down though. Concentrating on positive attitude.
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PM
Most of ice melted on streets. Was able to get to gym for a quick run. 3.1 miles on treadmill. 1 mile easy at 7.0 speed (8:34/m) and 1 mile easy at 7.2 speed (8:20/m). Then I turned on the techno and decided to run the last mile fast. I cranked it up to 8.0 (7:30/m) for a 1/4 mile... then I ran 9.0 for 1/2 mile... then with .35 mile to go I punched it up to 9.5 (6:40/m), 10.0 (6:00/m).... then finally 10.8 (5:30/m). I concentrated on form and breathing. I had my eyes fixed on this sticker on the machine in front of me... the faster I went and the more I focused on my form, the less the sticker was bouncing, if that makes any sense. Mentally, I was just in the "zone"... my thoughts stopped racing... everything around me faded to the edges of my consciousness... I have heard that the point of meditation is to get this same thing... seems to me that running and meditation are alot alike, although I've never meditated.
It was FUN to run so fast! I finished 3.1 miles in 24 minutes... but the first two miles were done slow. If it took me roughly 17 minutes to finish the first two, then that means the last 1.1 mile was done in 7 minutes which is about 6:30/m pace. Pretty good. Of course, it was on a treadmill... less resistance... but also difficult because so boring...
I think the woman next to me thought I was nuts during the last mile... she was just walking and she kept looking over at me... not impressed-like... more like, well, she thought I was nuts. Reminded me of my mother... she seriously does not understand why anyone would actually want to run... and even if they did run, why would they want to run far or fast??? It's so odd to her. When I told her I wanted to run a marathon, she said, "WHY???!!" She was under the impression (and it took me a year to convince her otherwise) that people kill over all the time while running marathons... she thought people only run marathons so they could play chicken with death. Seriously, that's what I deal with! Ha, ha!
My Dad is more supportive because he is a lifetime athlete. Was a pitcher on the TCU baseball team in college. His college coach made the pitchers play handball in the off season to keep their arms strong. My Dad got so good at handball, he started playing it full time. He's been playing several times a week ever since. He told me once that he could never be a runner because he needs a sport that's more competitive to keep him interested. I said, "Dad, are you kidding me? Maybe some people just run for the joy of it... but ME, what I enjoy is the competition.. and there's opportunity for tons of competition in this sport... every single run you are in competition with with your mind... There's always that thought in your head that tries to convince you to not run or to quit or to slow down... every time you defeat that voice and do what you thought you couldn't, you win! And it's so satisfying!! Then of course, there's the clock and the other runners to compete with... "
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Got some great plans coming up... 10 mile race on Saturday morning with my running group. I think my goal is 7:30/m pace, which would be 1:15:00.
Next weekend on Sunday I'm running a 5k with the Fort Worth Running Club. My goal for the 5k is to get 21:something or better... which is about 7:00/m pace or better.
I ran a 5k less than two weeks after my marathon and I got a time of 21:15 (6:50/m) but I think the course was short so I doubt that was my real pace. Also, I'm not in as good of shape. I'll be really happy this weekend if I get 21:59.
My friend, Stephanie, is planning on running the 5k with me. She was my best friend in elementary, middle school and HS. Then in 11th grade, we had a falling out over a GUY (how silly)... and we lost touch for like 10-12 years. Just found each other again about a year ago via Facebook. She's really into running now too! She runs halfs all the time. When we were friends, she always played soccer while I was in cc. She still plays club soccer but now she also runs. She lives in New Jersey and whenever she comes in town, we have decided to make it a tradition to run races together. Fun! | 