An Actual Short Run :)

33 days and counting until the big marathon day! I have decided that in this last month I really need to pick it up and go strong to finish (I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel). One thing I have not done well in September is getting in my short runs. I have gotten in several great long runs, but I have totally skipped out on my short runs. There are several reasons for this — work is in full swing, grad school has started back, and the list goes on, but honestly it is just excuses. So this last month, running is going to be a huge priority. I have already told several friends and family, that I am not willing to commit to anything in October when it comes to my social life as running is going to take priority. This is where I am letting you all hold me accountable, so please do!!!

Today after work I decided was the day to start! I came home after working for almost 10 hours, put on my running clothes and took off for a short run. I decided to run 3 miles — 3 miles sounds amazing and almost unreal! I took off for a run a little before 6 with just my phone. I felt so much lighter due to not having water or energy gel. I actually also felt great through the run, my legs felt surprisingly fresh (no feeling of having just run almost 18 miles two days previously). 

Unfortunately though I did have some down sides to my run today. First and most important, it was hot! Secondly, I saw my running skirt (which I haven’t worn in a long time) in my workout clothes drawer and decided to wear it. I bought this before my third half-marathon at their expo, and have not worn it many times. The skirt has shorts underneath the skirt that are supposed to hug your leg. They are great to walk in, and maybe bike in, but not so much for running. The shorts kept riding up my legs and I felt that I spent most of the run tugging on the shorts.

Super cute skirt, but now I remember why it was at the back of my workout drawer. 🙂 I need to stick to bermuda length running shorts or capris for my runs!!

I had a pretty good run today running 3.26 miles in 37.50 minutes for an average pace of 11.37 seconds per mile.  Not too shabby.

I loved this short run… three and four mile runs are what I think I am going to keep doing post the marathon. 33 more days! I can do this!!

A New Appreciation…

An earlier start time — check

Cooler temperatures — check

A pack that doesn’t bounce — check

No rolled ankles — check

No wanting to quit and lay on the sidewalk — check

16 miles completed — check

This morning I woke up early and had a pre-run meal of a banana, a piece of toast with peanut butter, and of course the much needed coffee. I am most definitely a coffee girl especially first thing in the morning.

I then got all my things ready for my run. Thanks to advice from a friend (Thanks Nora!) I purchased the amphipod hydration system. Iordered the belt from amazon, as it was cheaper and offered free shipping. I did order two extra bottles with their docking bases from Amphipod which came Thursday. The belt has still not arrived, but luckily the bottles worked on my Nathan’s belt, so all is good. It worked really well and NO bounce — woohoo!! I also took GU with me, and used 3 of them on my run. Definitely gave me the energy I needed.

 My pre-run picture…

All in all the run went really well. I completed 16 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes (a mere 7 minutes more than my horrible 13.7 miler last week).  I have come to be realistic in my abilities. I have run on and off for many years and have never had speed. I have a ton of heart, but no talent. I will not ever be a Boston qualifier and have desire to be. I do know that I am slower than most people who call themselves runners, but this is not a competition and I do not need to make it one!

On my run today, I gained a new appreciation for my legs. Confession time — I have never really liked my legs. I find them chunky and have always wanted slender legs. Today though I learned to love them!  My chunky legs carried my body 16 miles and did not give up on me! They continued to carry me throughout the day even after my run — pretty miraculous if you ask me!

My post-run picture! Still smiling this time. What a difference one week makes!!

After my run, I was even able to be normal and not seem dead to the world! I just might be able to finish the marathon after all. My goals for the marathon are 1. Cross the finish line standing up. 2. Not be the last person to finish. and 3. Finish before they start closing down (okay I better be done way before that happens, but you never know). 🙂

Have you ever gained new appreciation for you body after you pushed it really hard?