2 runs and 3 workouts so far this week with plans to run again tomorrow. Instead of dread, I'm feeling excitement to be back in the game, even if I can only think one day at a time for the moment. The earlier runs this week were not mapped out to determine distance, not timed to determine pace, they were simply enjoyed for what they were: being outdoors, getting the heart-rate up, generating some body heat, and overall feeling GOOD and un-pressured.
While I no longer plan to run a half-marathon next month, I DO still plan on running the Broad Street Run - a 10-miler quintessential Philadelphia race. If I can complete it within 1'30'' (9-minute mile pace), I'll be pleased. But the goal is not the time, the goal is not getting hurt so I can come back and run a marathon in the fall - is that right? Well, maybe let's bridge that gap when we get there.
I AM, however, fundraising for Broad Street and would be EXTREMELY appreciative if you can check out my page: http://www.active.com/donate/BoMFPABSR13/Chauzer and throw some support towards Back on My Feet, an amazing organization founded right here in Philadelphia!! While you're at it, check out this post about one of the former residents of the shelter I volunteer with: http://www.projecthomeblog.org/?p=1648. A truly inspiring individual who has touched my heart and humbled me. And he's not the only one.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Is it the cold? Is it the expectations?
This past Tuesday, on the first above freezing day we've witnessed since --- well, the last time I went running! I popped out of bed, threw on my gear, laced up my shoes, and covered an unmeasured distance of probably around 2 miles. Hitting the pavement again was nice. What was nicer was the pleasure of just moving my body, getting my heart rate up, knowing that there was no need to run more than a single block because being out in the first place was a step in the right direction.
Which leads me to thinking, sure, the cold weather is a convenient excuse for not running, and if really all that was preventing me was cold weather, well, I have an underutilized gym membership with treadmills that I can knock off some miles on. But maybe what's been preventing my runs is merely an avoidance of mounting expectations. Running 1, 2 miles a day is easy, but later committing to 3, 4 every day when all you want to do is stay in bed, it becomes so much easier to succumb to sleepiness pangs, or 'i don't want to' pangs. And once you've skipped once and offered credence to the excuses, all confidence is lost that you can will yourself at a future date to do the "responsible" thing, or the thing that you "should" do. The instinct becomes, "I don't wanna!" and there we go, I go from wannabe runner to a bona fide fake runner.
Which leads me to wonder: there was a reason I committed to this is the first place, I WANTED to run, I WANTED to accomplish something, how can I reclaim that? Maybe the step is to do a few runs with no expectations for running more than a single block. Just lace up the shoes and go. Because really, that's the hard part right there: simple getting dressed and getting out of the house.
Which leads me to thinking, sure, the cold weather is a convenient excuse for not running, and if really all that was preventing me was cold weather, well, I have an underutilized gym membership with treadmills that I can knock off some miles on. But maybe what's been preventing my runs is merely an avoidance of mounting expectations. Running 1, 2 miles a day is easy, but later committing to 3, 4 every day when all you want to do is stay in bed, it becomes so much easier to succumb to sleepiness pangs, or 'i don't want to' pangs. And once you've skipped once and offered credence to the excuses, all confidence is lost that you can will yourself at a future date to do the "responsible" thing, or the thing that you "should" do. The instinct becomes, "I don't wanna!" and there we go, I go from wannabe runner to a bona fide fake runner.
Which leads me to wonder: there was a reason I committed to this is the first place, I WANTED to run, I WANTED to accomplish something, how can I reclaim that? Maybe the step is to do a few runs with no expectations for running more than a single block. Just lace up the shoes and go. Because really, that's the hard part right there: simple getting dressed and getting out of the house.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
In need of a new plan
55 miles into whence I started -- and the motivation, pursuit, enthusiasm, has all but escaped me.
Instead of a vigor with which to concur the world, my mornings these past few days are filled instead with achy knees, tenderness in the hip flexor, and a lethargy that straps me under my covers.
I keep trying to revive the excitement I felt back in November, bring myself back to that "oh marathon, here I come" state of mind. But reasoning my way back won't work: the passions of a runner are illogical, driven instead by visions of glory and conquest. Delusions of grandeur, anyone? So what's a girl to do? Well, I can't simply wait for inspiration to strike again, and with the cold dark days of winter working against me, my instinct is that such inspiration won't revive until springtime.
So 55 miles into my marathon chase, I'm putting a halt on my half-marathon prep and aiming instead for a more attainable interim goal of a 5 mile race followed by Broad Street Run (10-miler) in May. Does anyone object to my bringing the carrot a wee bit closer?
Instead of a vigor with which to concur the world, my mornings these past few days are filled instead with achy knees, tenderness in the hip flexor, and a lethargy that straps me under my covers.
I keep trying to revive the excitement I felt back in November, bring myself back to that "oh marathon, here I come" state of mind. But reasoning my way back won't work: the passions of a runner are illogical, driven instead by visions of glory and conquest. Delusions of grandeur, anyone? So what's a girl to do? Well, I can't simply wait for inspiration to strike again, and with the cold dark days of winter working against me, my instinct is that such inspiration won't revive until springtime.
So 55 miles into my marathon chase, I'm putting a halt on my half-marathon prep and aiming instead for a more attainable interim goal of a 5 mile race followed by Broad Street Run (10-miler) in May. Does anyone object to my bringing the carrot a wee bit closer?
Friday, January 4, 2013
So I haven't run in a week...
I feel like this is a confessional: Forgive me father, for I have neglected to run for the past week. Oh the shame, the guilt!
Here, the chart at my desk at work that I became so pleased with crossing off each day, stuck at week 5. The dilemma now is: Do I pick back up where I left off and run 4 + 7 this weekend or do I pretend like I've stuck to the plan the whole time, pick back up from 5 + 5, and then make the jump (in weekend runs at least) to 5 + 8 next weekend?
I'm leaning towards the latter, but am feeling nervous. I guess this is why I started this blog in the first place, to not be let down by setbacks like this and to hold myself accountable. My sister was right to conclude that a week's worth of missed blogging on my end meant that I probbbbbaaably hadn't gone running in some time... But tomorrow! Oh Philly pavements, here I come again.
Here, the chart at my desk at work that I became so pleased with crossing off each day, stuck at week 5. The dilemma now is: Do I pick back up where I left off and run 4 + 7 this weekend or do I pretend like I've stuck to the plan the whole time, pick back up from 5 + 5, and then make the jump (in weekend runs at least) to 5 + 8 next weekend?
I'm leaning towards the latter, but am feeling nervous. I guess this is why I started this blog in the first place, to not be let down by setbacks like this and to hold myself accountable. My sister was right to conclude that a week's worth of missed blogging on my end meant that I probbbbbaaably hadn't gone running in some time... But tomorrow! Oh Philly pavements, here I come again.
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