On Wednesday I headed out for my run. I decided to get a warm up in first though, so I rode my bike. At 1.5 miles into the ride (same spot I was getting stuck every time I ran!), I felt that wall. It was hard to push through it for some reason. Then, the light bulb went off! I KNOW I can ride a bike an insane amount of miles, so I can always push through that wall, no matter how hard it is on any given day. But, I'd never run more than 2 miles, so I didn't KNOW I was capable of going futher. I really don't know how to explain it better... pretty much, it was a mental thing.
So, after pushing throught that wall & finishing my warm up ride, I met Denya for our run. She told me it was the day. I was gonna run a 5K. I doubted her, but decided I'd at least try. (Besides, she was crackign that whip, so I had to keep moving. :p) I'd already decided beforehand that I wasn't going to pace Denya. She runs way too fast for me at my current level. I allowed myself to be okay with that, and to know that I simply had to slow down to make it the distance. I started out too strong anyway, so I quickly slowed my pace. Over the next 51 minutes I got slower & slower & slower... but I didn't walk! Not one step. My phone lost its GPS signal, so I don't have an exact mileage count, but I'm pretty sure I was around 3.45 miles at 51 minutes. Nothing amazing as far as speed, but it was a PR for me & a huge milestone. I RAN a 5K!!!
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Fast forward to today, 5 days later. Denya had to do her 8 miles (she's training for a half), so she got out & got about half of that in before I joined her. Once again, I warmed up with a bike ride beforehand. I'm not sure if it's part of the difference or not, but why mess with a good thing? Once I got running, I started too strong & I knew it, but I couldn't even blame Denya 'cause I started the run alone. I just really aspire for speed I suppose. All things in time, right? My ankle was killing me, but I ran. and ran. and ran... Finally, Denya hit her 8 miles & I was just short of 3. So, we both kept going. Soon enough, Denya hit 9! (Have I mentioned how much she rocks? She totally does.) She slowed it down while I finished my run. 4 miles. 4 MILES! Another PR!! I ran 4 miles straight (at 50:51)! Who is this person taking over my feet & making me run? It felt so good... and yet it hurt. haha, the joys of running. Once I stopped, my legs were like jell-o & I was afraid I was gonna fall out right there. I somehow managed the 1/4 mile walk home without dying though.
I guess this is the start of something. Finally. It was 100% a mental block holding me back. I'm so happy I rode my bike that first day & had the lightbulb go off 'cause now I know I can do it. I'm not sure what I want to set as a goal now... do I want more endurance/distance or do I want more speed? I want both, but I suppose I need to pick one for the time being. Speed seems the logical choice, so I can finish the 5K in May at a decent time, but it's not really all about that race for me, so more distance would be good too... I'm sure I'll figure out what it is I want right now & now I feel pretty confident that I'll achieve whatever goal I do set. Yay me! ;)
