Wow – big difference

OK, on Tuesday it was raining but I still needed to train. So I went to the gym in my neighborhood to run on the treadmill. What a difference that made! Running outside I can barely run 1 mile without stopping to walk. Its so hard to push myself.  I LOVE being able to watch the time, watch the distance, and control my speed! Wow! I felt like a running machine! I was running… 1 mile… 1.5… 2 miles… wow!  I was almost to 3 and was so tired, but thought for sure I can do this… I can make it to 3. And when I hit 3, I pushed just a tad further and ran 3.1 – the distance of a 5k!  I’m still pretty slow, so it took me 37m 02s. Slow, yes, I know. But as I’ve said in other posts, I have no doubt that I am THE slowest runner on the planet.  Besides, speed wasn’t the big accomplishment. The fact that I ran 3.1miles without stopping for a walk break is what I was so proud of. I took Wednesday off since I was sore. Thursday I went to the treadmill again. I love the control it gives me. Same thing 3.1 and my time was 37m 04s. Took Friday off. Saturday I did 5 miles. Wasn’t able to run the entire thing but I did run the first 3.1 because I was challenging myself to beat my time and keep pushing on after that. So my time was actually 25m 54s! Slow, but faster than before. And then I kept running until I got to 3.5 miles. After that I used the last 1.5 miles to do some sprints – maybe that will help my speed in the long run. So I’d run .25 miles FAST then walk for .25 and RUN .25, etc. until I hit my 5 miles. All in all I did 5 miles in 58m 48s, which is faster than a 12min/mile pace.  Big for me.  I’m actually so motivated to run for as long as I can AND watch my time when I’m on the treadmill… but I also know that running on the treadmill is way easier than running outside on pavement.  But the way I see it, its better than not getting in enough miles if I’m not motivated to get out and run right?  I dunno. I need to research it.  Off to RunnersWorld.com I go…   OH but before I do. TODAY was my day off. I was taking the kids to the pool. But before we went there, I snuck in a quick 2 mile run   And guess what – I actually enjoyed it!!  Up until this week, since August 4th, the most mileage I’d logged in a week was 8.  This week I hit 14.  8 pavement vs 14 treadmill.  Not sure how that translates when it comes to marathon training. I’ll keep you posted.

WHEN will this get easier?!?

Have you ever seen someone running and they look so light on their feet and make it look so easy, and it motivates you to run too? Well, that happens to me sometimes. The problem with it is that when I go out to run, I do NOT feel light on my feet, and it ISN’T the least bit easy and then I wonder again why the heck I am putting myself through this torture in the first place… well, I know WHY I’m doing this, but I wonder when the H-E-C-K will this get any easier?!?!

I’m analytical, so maybe I can analyze it…

I do this a few times a week. Every week. Weekafter week. And it sure doesn’t feel like it’s getting any easier?!?! Why do my legs feel so darned HEAVY when I run?!?!  Sure, this is only week 7. And I haven’t exactly been running each and every run that I’m supposed to.  Okay Okay Okay. I get it I’m not running every run that I’m supposed to. And I guess I don’t have a GREAT excuse.  Other than I’m tired.  Full time job, full time mom, plus training. It’s alot…. but I guess the old saying is true “No pain No gain”

OH boy… thinking I need some motivation I was searching the www for some motivational quotes, preferably about running a marathon, here are a couple of the first I found:

To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who’s never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind.
Jerome Drayton

Marathoning is like cutting yourself unexpectedly. You dip into the pain so gradually that the damage is done before you are aware of it. Unfortunately, when awareness comes, it is excruciating.
John Farrington, Australian marathoner

“You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can’t know what’s coming.”
Frank Shorter

After reading those, I’m sure you’ll understand why I’m not thrilled about the 3 mile run I have this evening.

I need a running partner. But I think I am the slowest runner. Ever. Seriously.