So here we are going into Week 6 of 12 weeks of training. I have started using my training plan as a template rather than as a schedule. This means I am pushing myself beyond what the training plan calls for - nothing crazy, but I know I can do longer distances than this novice plan. However, I don't feel confident about committing to the intermediate plan, so I'm making up my own somewhere in between.
In my opinion, my Sunday runs are the most important - Sundays are my long distance run days. I was supposed to run 6 miles yesterday, but I've moved that up to 7. I've added a mile to every Sunday from this point on. A week or so ago, I ran a bit over 6 miles, so that was somewhat reassuring even though I was pretty nervous about the 7 miles ahead. I mapped out my run ahead of time so that there would be no guessing while running outside. Another reason it's important to me to plan my runs is because I hate running along the same route twice. It makes it feel like you are doing laps, which I am not a fan of.
Running truly is about mind over matter. After I planned my route, I left the house with the attitude of, "OK. Time to run 7 miles." I started off at an easy jog pace - no need to burn myself out. My momentum and stride picked up through out the run, and I felt I had a comfortable cadence the entire time.
When I'm running outside, it really helps me to compartmentalize the run. I divide everything up by street. It helps to think "OK, the Woodward section is over. The Lemont Road section is done. 83rd Street is next", etc. It takes your mind off the number of miles that lay behind and ahead of you.
I ended up running 7.4 miles - and I felt GREAT!!! There was no lightheaded, tired or weak feeling. It's so exciting that I am past the halfway point for distance. Now it's a matter of "one more mile, one more mile."
I have to remember to keep conditioning myself throughout the week so that I can have successful runs on Sunday. Last week, I was feeling great and very in shape. So by Wednesday, I slacked a little on the working out and maybe indulged in some extra ice cream. When I start feeling really good about my body, I'll start to slide back into those old habits. Then I have to remind myself, "No, Desiree, despite what Lady Gaga says you were not born this way!" Haha.
I should add some notes on the Warrior Dash, which was last Sunday. If you were thinking about participating this year, you MUST do it next year!!! If you are exercising regularly, the course is really not that hard at all. One part had a very steep hill that I could not run up. The obstacles involved a LOT of climbing structures. I would have liked to run the majority of the course, but my boyfriend did not get in the running shape that he was supposed to! He decided to sign up for this event in February or March, and I told him he had to start running regularly to prepare. Naturally, he didn't really listen :) And even though I kept telling him leading up to the race that I was going to run whether he could keep up or not, I of course felt bad doing so during the actual event and wanted us to go through it together. So, we walked 50-60% of it. The important thing is...we had a lot of fun!
