Flipping the switch.
After two and a half years of "running," I think I've finally figured it out. Sometime within the past three months I flipped a switch without even realizing it. No longer am I walking every couple hundred yards between intermittent bursts of running. I'm putting one foot in front of the other for far longer stretches than in the past. Somehow, I think I've managed to shut the "I can't do this" voice up...and hopefully for good.
We all know I've never considered myself a runner. But now, something is different.
I've finally noticed how much better I am...Mike has noticed...my TNT coaches and teammates have noticed...hell, some of you have noticed. I feel stronger when I run. I find I don't always want to stop. I find myself not wanting to after a few hundred yards. I'm not afraid to push myself like I have been in the past. And finally...I am consistently looking forward to running and love pounding the pavement.
Yesterday's six miler went exceptionally well. I kept an 11:17 pace with each split ticking by at 11:01, 11:07, 10:59, 12:26, 11:54, and 10:15. Miles 4 and 5 were interrupted by a water/stretch break and Taylor's shoe coming untied.
It felt great. Very comfortable. Very easy.
In the back of my head I kept thinking to myself "slow down, Barb...you know you should be trying to average around a 12:00 pace..." but I just couldn't.
Let's take a quick look at yesterday's 6 miler versus a 5 miler from February...really...do I really need to say anything more?
We all know I've never considered myself a runner. But now, something is different.
I've finally noticed how much better I am...Mike has noticed...my TNT coaches and teammates have noticed...hell, some of you have noticed. I feel stronger when I run. I find I don't always want to stop. I find myself not wanting to after a few hundred yards. I'm not afraid to push myself like I have been in the past. And finally...I am consistently looking forward to running and love pounding the pavement.
Yesterday's six miler went exceptionally well. I kept an 11:17 pace with each split ticking by at 11:01, 11:07, 10:59, 12:26, 11:54, and 10:15. Miles 4 and 5 were interrupted by a water/stretch break and Taylor's shoe coming untied.
It felt great. Very comfortable. Very easy.
In the back of my head I kept thinking to myself "slow down, Barb...you know you should be trying to average around a 12:00 pace..." but I just couldn't.
Let's take a quick look at yesterday's 6 miler versus a 5 miler from February...really...do I really need to say anything more?
I realize there's room for improvement...and I know I'm not as fast and as dedicated and as super runner extraordinaire as some...make that most of you out there...but damnit, I'm on my way.
So WATCH OUT...cause I'm right on your heels...and if you're not paying attention, I'm gunna pass you one of these days.
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 8:57 AM
10 Camper Comments:
I always thought you were runner. I'm sure you will continue to run strong and improve more.
Barb, this is YOUR year. You can do it! Keep up with the training and the effort. With all of that, EVERYTHING will come through.
Great job!
I completely agree, Barb. I felt the same way about a year ago..I just felt like I was improving. I'm happy to see your progress! Just don't leave me in the dust, sistah.
awe(!)some job girl! keep on running strong!
I told you when we were running together a few weeks ago that you are going to rock Chicago, and I totally meant it. you really are a much stronger running than you give yourself credit for.
can't wait to see what PRs this year has in store for you!
dur. that was supposed to say, "you really are a much stronger runner than you give yourself credit for."
clearly, I am dumb today.
Good job on both the realization and the improvement! If I were a chart/graph person, I would be totally impressed, but alas, they only confuse me; still, I was able to comprehend that it meant you'd improved by a lot!
Awesome!! I like that post!
your analysis looks very scientific. that's probably why i have no idea what it means :-)
Good Luck with your training, I know that feeling of finally feeling like you can call yourself a runner.
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