Today I ran harder and longer and with fewer walking breaks than I've ever run before. It wasn't technically all that exciting - I did 3 miles in 34 minutes. But I started and finished with a five minute walk and ran 20 minutes at a six-mile per hour pace. When that first 30 minutes was up, I didn't feel quite horrible enough yet, so I punched the pace up to that eight-minute mile goal and lasted another two minutes at a full run.
It took another 34 minutes for me to stop sweating afterward and my chest still hurts when I breathe, but I really needed to kick my own ass today. I'm working through some grief, apparently. And it's funny because I didn't quite realize that's what it was until I just wrote it.
Grief.
Sweat or tears. Either way, I'm getting it out of my system.
As a devoted runner (who is still trying to hit that 8 minute mile!), I advise you to find a running group ASAP! Ask at your local running shop, look on meetup, maybe your gym has one. I promise you it will support both your emotional and running goals! I've been with mine for almost 10 years and really feel like those folks are my pack.
Posted by: Meredith | January 06, 2013 at 01:28 AM
Yeah, it's a definite outpouring of grief. Surprisngly running is the only form of exercise I've been able to stick to, but I think it's because I'm a fairly intense person and seems to work well for me.. and it's measurable.
If you just want to run one 8 minute mile you'll be able to get there in less than 6 weeks. If you want to be a consistent 8 minute miler and figure out a secret, let me know! ;-)
I'm with a running group and while I do pay money for my coach, track workouts, and daily emails, I know that last year that the Saturday runs were open to the public to pop in every once in awhile. I can ask my coach if that's changed. We meet 8am at Fit Right (running store) in NW PDX. The bonds (and progress) I've made since joining this group has been amazing. We have a ton of pace groups and distances covered and just started up yesterday. If you'd like any more details feel free to email me!
Posted by: Brie | January 06, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Good. For. You.
Posted by: Alex | January 07, 2013 at 09:19 AM
You are a talented runner. Get out there and use your new found talent! Seriously....
Posted by: Catherine | January 07, 2013 at 12:14 PM
You rock!! Keep up the great running work. Good advice listed in comments here.
Posted by: Angela Langowski | January 10, 2013 at 01:25 PM