Sometimes You Have It, Sometimes You Don't!

I have been more committed to my half marathon training schedule than I ever have been before. I have actually done most of the speed work and strength training sessions (with the help of a personal trainer). I have logged the long runs diligently. Yesterday, I went out for my 9-mile run. I was pumped to hit the Silver Lake trail. It's a 2.3 mile trail around a fake lake. I knew I only had to go around the trail 4 times and I did it a few weeks ago, so I thought piece of cake. I started off strong. One lap in and I was feeling great, well except for my annoying fuel belt. Can someone please invent a fuel belt for petite women? I swear I burned a ton of energy adjusting my belt. Every other step that thing would ride up my waist! Music was great. I got into some DMB, which fired me up for their upcoming concert. My mind started to wander about new opportunities and career goals. The sun was shining and I was happy to be out running.

Then I hit the third lap. I started to feel fatigued and wanted to stop. I tried repeating my positive running affirmation (I am crossing the finish line of the Disney half-marathon under 2 hours and I feel ecstatic!). I played mental games with myself and tried to convince myself that I didn't have much longer to go. Finally I finished the 3rd lap and started my 4th and final lap around the fake lake. I was about 8 miles in when I came up to a hill and I stopped running. I don't remember telling myself to stop running and start walking. It just happened. I was so frustrated! I don't like to walk on my runs. I felt defeated. I felt exhausted and walked shamelessly up the hill. I walked for 4 minutes and decided I had enough. I picked up my pace and started to run again. I ran the rest of the lap and finished my 9.2 mile run in 86 minutes. I was bummed about walking until I got home and checked my training schedule. When I did the same run a couple of weeks ago I finished the 9.2 miles in 88 minutes. I did better than last time even with 4 minutes of walking.

Lessons learned...sometimes you have it and the conditions are just right. Sometimes you just don't have it. Yesterday, I just didn't have it. Maybe it was because I went out too late in the day. I started running around 1:00pm with only breakfast as my fuel. Maybe I was tired from traveling for work the week before. Regardless of the conditions, never give up! Keep putting one foot in front of the other no matter how slow or how fast. You just might surprise yourself.

How Can You Hate Running?

Hi! Remember me? Not sure why I haven't written a post in months. I'm sure I've experienced plenty of fabulous things in LA since my last post. I guess I just haven't been motivated to put my thoughts into words. Well that all changed yesterday. I composed this post in my head while running 9.2 miles. (One of my 2010 goals is to run a half under 2 hours. Well, I am registered for 3 half marathons this fall and well into a training program).

I was chatting with my husband about running Saturday and he mentioned that he hates running. This conversation replayed in my head while I was baking in the heat willingly running mile after mile. I remember a time when I hated running too. I couldn't stand running for PE class. It bothered me that we had to get all gross and sweaty in 2nd hour and then sit in classes for the rest of the day. Something dramatically changed since then. Now, I don't mind grabbing coffee or lunch after a good run and I don't feel the need to change out of my clothes. It's almost like I am proud to walk into a store or run errands after a run. It's kind of like bragging to the public that I just pounded the pavement (I'm sure the people who smell me feel a bit differently!). My feelings for running changed. What caused this change?

I think as soon as you experience the runner's high, you're hooked. It's like crack. You just can't get enough. You need your daily fix of running. Maybe it's the feeling of running one mile longer than you ever have before. I'll never forget mile 20 or crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon. Running definitely appeals to my competitive side. I was never good at team sports, but with running I only have to compete with myself. Having someone drape a finisher's medal around your neck surely helps tip the scale from hate to love pretty quickly. What about the mind clearing benefits? I've solved so many dilemmas on my runs. I think every great idea I've had lately originated on a run.

I pulled a t-shirt out of my drawer the other night from 2004. The shirt was from the Kingdom House Run in St. Louis, MO and that run was my first 10k. I thought I was going to die and it took me an hour to cross the finish line. I ran farther than I ever had before and finished by running up hill. That might have been when I first feel in love with running and I don't see us breaking up anytime soon. If anything, my love affair is only deepening. I used to lust after Gucci bags and designer sunglasses. Now, I all I can think about are new running shoes and a Garmin watch.

I wonder how I can help people like my husband tip their scales from hate to love?