Last night I set out to run 4 miles in under 44 minutes (11min/mile). I wasn't sure I could run 4 miles since just two days before I had to push myself to run two. I was also surprised I wasn't really sore from running 2 days in a row. If I couldn't pull off 4 miles I promised myself I would at least run for 45 minutes.
The first mile took just under 12 minutes. I knew I was a little behind pace, but I figured I could make it up later. I sped up a little for mile two, finishing just over 22 minutes. I was right on pace, but I was starting to get tired. It wasn't muscle soreness or pain as much as it was something in my head telling me to quit.
"I can't do this," I thought. "Maybe I bit off more than I could chew. I should just run 3 miles and slow it down a little. What if I hurt myself?"
This is where I expected my previous experience to come into play. Even though I haven't run in 10 years I should still be able to win the battle in my head. I can power through; I have done it before. How did I do it then?
At this point I started thinking about my previous experience. I remembered running the Music City Half Marathon. I remembered crossing the finish line first in a mile track race. I remembered chasing The Kenyan for the last mile of another half marathon. I remembered 5ks and 10ks and fun runs and training runs. I remembered pain and I remembered reward. I remembered strides and I remembered breaths.
As I picked up the pace I realized that I was half way through the 3rd mile. At the pace I was going I would finish 4 miles in just over 41 minutes. Could I hit 40? I thought, "There is no reason to push it. I don't want to injure myself. Let's just keep it steady and smooth." Gone were any thoughts of not finishing 4 miles. Gone was the fear of pain. I was focused.
As I started the 4th mile I wanted to stretch my legs a bit. It was time to really run and feel the speed. I have always liked fast finishes. Without pushing too hard I should be able to run the last mile at my desired marathon pace (8:45min/mile). As I started picking it up I realized that I would be very close to hitting 40 minutes. I pushed harder, thinking back to how it felt to finish strong in the past. I felt like I could go faster and faster. As I approached the final quarter mile I was wishing I was on a track so I could burst into an all out sprint, but alas I was on a treadmill. I continued strong without sprinting and completed the 4 miles in 40:18. Not too shabby considering I ran a total of 3 miles in all of 2007.
After last night's run I revised my training plan a little. Instead of 5 miles this Saturday I am pretty sure I can run 6. Instead of an easy 3 miles on Friday I am going to try to run sub 9 minute miles. As I think about running 3 miles in under 27 minutes I think back again. This time I think back to when I could run 5k races under 20 minutes every day of the week. I start to feel stupid for being proud of my 40 minute 4. The thing is, by looking back I am able to find motivation in all kinds of ways. I may never be as fast as I used to be, but each mile means more now. I just have to keep telling myself to keep it slow and steady and I will get there. A single week of running is nothing but a start and I can't finish without starting. Who knows, maybe the wisdom of age will trump the speed of youth.
1 comment:
i was just about at the same level as you when i first started running too. i could do about 2-3 miles at about 10 minute/mile pace at first. after about a year and 1/2 of consistent training, i was able to break 20' in a 5k, my main goal for 2008. just keep going!
Post a Comment