I don't claim to be a runner. I don't run for competition. Truly, I run for me (well and my family). Most of the time, I run to clear my head. It really started this past summer while I was laid off (and still am) when a gal I worked with had the audacity to complain to me about the new job she got and how little it paid. Ummm, hello-you're bringing home a pay check right?! Then STOP complaining. I digress...that day, I put on my shoe and went for a run to clear my head. I took my phone and ran to some music. There were a few tears shed during that run, mainly tears of frustration and when I got home, I felt so much better.
Lately, I've been training for a 10K run that I am running with two of my best girlfriends. (Love you gals!!) I've been setting goals each week-run 3 times, with a long run on the weekends. Back in May, I could barely run a mile without stopping. I run with my phone and the Nike+ app. I set a goal for my run and then off I go. My "trainer" comes on during my run and tells me my time and pace at each mile. Last week, I ran for the first time ever in the rain-and I went out purposely. I ran a short run and at mile 1, I was above my average pace, but not by much. I made a goal to push it a little harder and see if I could beat my mile pace. At the end, I knew I was going to be close, so I pushed even harder. I reached my goal and she came on with my new mile pace-almost 10 seconds faster than my usual! I got goose bumps all over. I even did a little jump/fist pump on the sidewalk (I am sure people driving past thought I was INSANE, but I didn't care).
Last weekend, I had a goal to run 4 miles. I had downloaded a new 10K training app and had chosen my workout goal (run 10 minutes, walk 1-repeat 4 times) and set my distance goal to 4 miles. Off I went-running and running and running and running....I thought 10 minutes should've been up, so I looked which I usually don't do. I had 6 minutes to go....WTF, that's a long 10 minutes. So during my walk, I checked again and realized I'd set my program to a 15 min run/1 min walk. WHOOPS!! But, rather than start over, I went with it. Those 15 minute runs were a little brutal. I was tired at the end of each one and my pace was getting slower and slower. But I didn't care....I was going to do this. Mile 1 chimed in. Mile 2 chimed in. Mile 3 chimed in! Sonya Richards Ross piped in and told me to keep pushing and I was almost at my goal. I got goose bumps all over. I was going to meet my goal and exceed it. Finally, my training app told me to begin my cool down. I checked my Nike app and had run 4.4 miles. It was my farthest run EVER!! I cried a little.
Tonight, I ran after being down for 2 days with a cold. I hadn't run since Saturday and I needed a good run. Heck, I didn't even need a good run, I just needed a run. So I ran-a short run (I didn't want to over do it) and it felt good. I had the wind at my back for my first mile or so. It was a beautiful fall day with the sun beginning to set against the clouds with a great breeze (well really 20-30 mile an hour wind gusts). It was amazing. At my first mile, my trainer pops in with my time and pace. I'm a little over. Oh well. I run my second mile into the wind and at times I feel like I am running in place-literally RUNNING IN PLACE. I neared the end of my run and knew I wanted to push it at the end. I passed my distance goal of 2.25 miles and made it to 2.3. At the end of my run, Lance Armstrong came on and congratulated me on my fasted mile ever. SAY WHAT?!?! Looking my my app, I'd run a 9:30 mile! I cried a little, did a jumping fist pump and grinned like the Cheshire Cat for the rest of my cool down.
Like I said before, I don't call myself a runner. I don't run for competition, I run for me. Sometimes I run when I'm angry and sad. I always feel better when I do. I've actually started to crave a run. When I was down with my cold Monday and Tuesday, Jason had to force me to not run. I'm glad he did-it would have been a BAD idea to run with how terrible I felt. But, I missed it. I had to run tonight. Thankfully, I felt much better and could breathe again. I'm glad I ran-and ran my fastest mile yet! 9:30. Now I've got another goal to beat. This weekends goal is 5 miles. I won't run all of it, I'll stop and walk a while during my run. I'm good with that. As long as I can make that 5 mile mark, I'm good! I've got my route all mapped out and am ready for the weekend. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm excited to run 5 miles.
