The humidity today when we started was still in the 70's%. The temperature though was 64 rather than 84 we had two weeks ago. Here are the three top differences to me:
- I finished today feeling accomlished; but not totally wiped out
- The little aches and soreness that accompany every long run are so much less bothersome at 64 than 84
- There are way more people and bikes on the trail!
Today I really felt good before, during and after. Last week, not so much. I had a plan today and I was able to stick to it. Our route took us from Oaks toward Pawlings Road. Then along the SRT to Betzwood for out and back along the River Trail and then back to Oaks. My plan was to go 4.5 - 5 miles then take a walk break to down some gu and water (of course I took water at other times too). I was able to stick with that plan and I'm very proud of that. I took a longer walk break after the second leg. For most of the 13 miles I ran.
I focused on two things while I ran today. First, to run at my own pace. No matter who I started with, caught up with or who caught up with me I was determined to keep my own pace. That is one of the things I struggle with, especially in races. I think I did well with this today. Mark was with me most of the River Trail. He's faster than me and he would run ahead and then wait for me. Which was nice and all, but I was determined not to try to match his pace. I can't keep up and when I've tried in the past I've collapsed before the end. I really think I did well sticking to my plan.
The second focus today was to 'run tall'. I tend to get all hunched over on long runs. It gives me strains in my back, neck and shoulders. So I tried to pay close attention to keeping good posture while running. It feels awkward at first, especially after I catch myself hunched over again. I think I did well for the most part. I wish I didn't slip into the hunchback mode at all but i'm hopeful that if I keep practicing i'll fall into it less and less.
Today was a gorgeous day for a run. That helped my mood tremendously, which of course helps everything else. I have to remember this on less than good days and remeber to accept that I'm going to struggle when it's hot AND humid and adjust my physical expectations and keep my mood elevated to get through it. Today was not a day when I needed to do that.
I'm excited that somehow today this blog is sneaking past the block it usually gets on my work computer!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and I really struggle with the pace thing too. One of the things I like best about Philly Fit is running with other people and in order to do that I almost always have to compromise on pace -- sometimes faster and sometimes slower. On training runs that doesn't bother me much but it can be a problem on race day.
I got a a PR that I never would have managed on my own at the Valley Forge 5 miler because Mark was pushing me to keep up with him. And I've run slower to hang out with friends during the marathon.
This year, unlike most, I have a time goal for the marathon and I'm struggling to figure out when to work on speed. I hate going to the gym (where it would be easy to run speed intervals) and running with the group just makes me run at a pace where I can chat. I'm going to have to make the switch in order to do what I want to do on race day.
I'll keep an eye out for the hunchback and give you friendly reminders if I see you all bent over.
Thank you! The reminders would be great!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your time goal. If there is anything we can do let us know. Maybe we have to stop chatting with you so you can train at your own pace? You have been so kind to help so many of us maybe it's time to have a "Let Helen run at her own pace day!" We only get to chat if we run YOUR pace....