Well, that's the feeling I had on Saturday during the long run with my "girls". I was having fun keeping up and I was too embarrassed to slow down when I should have... and suddenly, I couldn't keep up at all. They run faster than me, even the slowest of the lot- and I'm starting to think she only runs slow with me to keep me company. I am going to have to embrace this and just let them go. I can't hold them back and I can't keep up. The truth is that they've all been running for months longer than I have. They train 30 seconds faster than I can comfortably run, and while I'm gasping for every scrap of air my lungs can draw, they're having a great chat. 30 seconds. Think about that for a minute. It's a tremendous amount of time on each mile. I can't run that fast for more than 3 miles. And I have now demonstrated this sad fact. Again.
So next week when the girls run, I am going to have to pass. Oh don't get me wrong, I love running with them, and that is my problem. I try to keep up. Next week I am going to conquer 8 miles, on my terms, with my speed. I am going to finish strong. Oh now wait a minute, I'm not a wuss. I'm still going to increase my training distance by 10% this week, but I'm going to add it to a different shorter run.
Because running isn't just about running fast. It's about running with the confidence to stick to your own speed, your own training program, & to rest before you are completely weary so you get the benefit of the recovery. This 8 mile run is going to be on my terms.
1 comment:
G - I love you! I wish 30 seconds, didn't make such a difference. But I completely understand how you feel about it ... Remember a little race called the Carytown 10K? That was my realization moment that you have to run for where you are at, not where everyone else is. I just hope that you know that we always love having you with us and that you'll join us again. -T
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