The theme of this week’s running has been all about overcoming mental barriers. As I was running today, I came across a Powerbar van parked on the street, and across the back was their slogan “You’re Stronger Than You Think”.
On Monday I had a tough track workout: 5 x 1ks with 400 meters of rest in between. My times weren’t right on target, but I felt like I really pushed it.
After this workout I kind of thought I would be done for the week due to tired legs.
Monday turned out to be a crazy day at work. I was dealing with a crisis until 11pm, which is well past my usual bedtime. I also didn’t eat from lunch until the time I got home, so I knew I wasn’t properly fueled for running. I knew that I would feel better on Tuesday if I got a run in before work, so I forced myself to get out there. It was really windy and I felt like I was still asleep for most of the run.
I survived and luckily it was planned to be an easy run but I was still happy with my pace.
Wednesday’s workout was a great one. The plan was 2 miles easy, 3 miles at “short tempo pace” (according to the book “Run Less, Run Faster” this for me is about 7:35), and 1 mile easy.
After the first 2 miles, I had my doubts about being able to do the workout. I thought back on how last week anything sub-8 pace was rough. It was also pretty cold out. But I went for it anyway.
Um what?! I was shocked that I was able to do that. Those miles were basically at my 5k PR pace and I didn’t feel like I was going to die or couldn’t run another step. As I jogged the last mile, I thought about how last week I was frustrated with some of my runs. I guess we often times take 2 steps forward, and 1 step back, but in the end what counts is that we make PROGRESS.
On Thursday I took a well deserved rest day, but got in some yoga and core work. Today’s run was unremarkable, but I did get to break out my new Pureflow 2s, which finally went on sale at Runner’s Warehouse.
This “training” for the Annapolis half has been short. There have been ups and downs, but I think I have built up my confidence with some of these harder workouts.
One other positive self-talk message that I heard today while taking a Reflexion Yoga class: “Your mind will always tire before your body does”.
Any other phrases you like to say to keep you motivated during a tough run?
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October Runfessions
Raleigh Marathon Training Week 5
Weekly Recap And A New Trail
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I love reading old blog posts I’ve written- they suck me in and I could easily waste and hour or 2 reminiscing and reminding myself how much progress I’ve made 🙂
I love the 2 steps forwad, 1 step back though, it’s a good way to stay positive when training isn’t going they way you’d hope.
Yes, I agree! It can be frustrating to have slower runs but it doesn’t necessarily mean we are getting slower! I think its way more useful to look at progress over a longer period of time because that’s how you can really see the change!
Loved this! One of my favorite parts about blogging is being able to go back and revisit old experiences and the thoughts I was having at the time, such a cool thing!
Glad you enjoyed!:)
Love seeing the vacation Instagram pics, and reading old posts from before I followed your blog! Thanks for (re) sharing!
Glad you enjoyed!!
Heeeey girl!!!!
You’re an awesome runner, do you know that?
I LOVE the quote you shared, I’m totally going to spread that.
This is realllly weird, but I remember running the 800m race at State a few years ago. One super fast girl was in front of me and I wanted to pass her. I focused on her and having positive feelings toward her (SO weird) and suddenly I passed her.
So–I don’t have a saying, but a feeling I guess. The more positively you feel about yourself and those around you, the more energy you have:)
Thanks for the great comment! I loved your description of using a positive feeling to help to push you through your run! I always find that when I can focus on positive thoughts during a race or hard workout that I am much more successful than when I get stuck thinking about all the negative stuff.
This is one of my favorites 🙂 Nothing makes me feel stronger than when I finish a tough run and think about it. Even when it sucks, just knowing that I finished makes me proud and gives me courage going forward. I also try to keep in mind that the tough runs are the ones that will get me through the toughest parts of a race. Looking back over training and remembering the hard runs/how I got through them makes me sure I can finish at that moment, since I already did it many times before 🙂
Exactly! When I am feeling like I can’t hold a certain pace or run a certain distance, by remembering workouts or races I did in the past can give me the confidence to keep trying. Its a great feeling to surprise yourself with the things you are capable of!
Okay, you had me at your blog title….. I LOVE it! LOL…
Incidentally, running out of wine WOULD make me run faster (to find more).
Great to meet you and I agree with your post. We are only limited by our own beliefs.
I know, right?!? I even heard it in Christopher Robin’s voice – http://youtu.be/9tRepZdoRmY
Thanks for visiting my blog! And YES to running faster for more wine:)
Another post to love, and another that I am glad you brought forward for us to see again. Running, physical activity, etc have helped to mold my inner strength, made it stronger, and honed it like a knife. A knife always has the capacity to be sharp, it just needs the push.
Love the analogy- We all have the capacity to do amazing things, but just need the drive to do them and the belief/confidence that we can!
Something for all of us to remember whether with running or anything else really! Great post!
Thanks! The message can really be applied to anything we are trying to accomplish!
I love this 🙂 It really shows how challenges pay off in the long run! Those splits were awesome! I am also in love with that Baltimore picture.
Yes! I think that sometimes we look so closely at what we are working on that we forget to see the big picture- which is where we can really see the progress we have made!