I am larger, better than I thought.
I did not know I held so much goodness.
(Walt Whitman, "Song of the Open Road")
Or at least, a bit stronger. Four days since race day, and two strong runs:
Mile 1: 9:20
Mile 2: 9:06
Mile 3: 8:55
Mile .1: 8:35 pace
Ran this on Monday, and I actually had to walk for a tiny bit at around .9. I felt a little tight in the calves, which I usually don’t have as a problem. Aside, running a race made me sore in the strangest places… my right upper arm was really sore, I guess I was holding some tension there? Nearly stopped running but kicked out a pretty speedy 5k (for me!)
Mile 1: 8:55
Mile 2: 8:50
Mile 3: 8:15
Mile .2: 7:55 pace
Can we talk about this… where did this speed come from? Honestly, it might not be the best idea to do sprint-y (yes I know that it is relative, but these runs felt fast to me!) runs when I’m coming off a 10k and running a 10-miler this weekend (still TBD.. but I must say, wearing the 10-miler tech tee I picked up from my packet is SO inspiring!).
I think I tapped into the whole running is fun outlook. It really is. I am putting up these times and talking about how I felt…. but truthfully, the whole thing was just plain fun! Yes I was exhausted, but I am just starting to look forward so much to my runs because the sheer physical challenge of it is … fun!
Maybe it is just the outlook… having extra confidence. Completing a distance that frustrated me when I first started running, barely lapping the track once. 10k seemed like the perfectly out of reach yet totally sensible distance. Marathon? Okay, that’s crazy, even to many long-time runners. A 10k to me always seemed doable, yet I could never do it, never come close.
I guess surprising yourself with strength is the best sort of fun!
Honey you are doing so great! you give me something to strive for =)