Good morning all. I have to tell you, today's run was not good. The plan was to do a simple 6 miler with my usual 4:1 ratio. Things started off well, but it was hot and humid out. I am suspecting the heat to have caused the tummy cramps that started about mile 2.5 of my run. I started adding in more walk breaks and tried to slow my pace down. I have been having some pacing issues the past few runs, where I am running much faster than I should and don't seem to be noticing I am doing it. It always seems to catch up with me after a few miles though, so it is a habit I need to work on.
I seriously was considering cutting it short. Around mile 3 on my 6 mile loop there is a place I can cut through the woods and be home in a couple minute. I have used that cut-through on a couple of really rough runs in the past. I thought about doing it and almost had myself convinced to do it, but I didn't. I didn't make the turn and just kept running. Even if I ended up walking most off it, I really wanted to get the 6 miles in today. So I ran, then I walked, and then I ran a little more, and walked a little more. I am not going to say it got any easier, but my personal satisfaction started growing. I was feeling proud of myself for sticking with it when giving up was so easy. When I was about a mile from home a flock of wild turkeys ran across the road in front of me. There were a few baby turkeys in the pack that were really cute. I wouldn't have gotten to see them if I had given up, or if I hadn't had to add in all the extra walk breaks. I would have been long past that area when the turkeys crossed the road. So something good did come out of the bad run. I sort of appreciate the bad run in a strange kind of way.
I certainly didn't enjoy it while it was happening, but looking back on it now that I am showered and sitting in front of a fan I think some positive learning experiences presented themselves to me in this run. I think it really has driven home that I need to work on pacing and taught me a little lesson in self efficacy.
Those bad runs (or races)always teach you something. The positive always trickles through but you have to be willing to listen when it does.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing your 6 mile loop! That's quite an accomplishment! And remember, the important thing is, you made it through( do I hear Barry Manilow??).