Success… of a Sort

My last half kind of kicked my ass both mentally and physically.   13 miles of sand aggravated some shin splints I thought were mostly behind me.  My confidence took a beating as well.  This led to my change in thinking during July and for the most part it helped.   My most recent attempts at long runs have kicked me around a bit, too.  Today, I finally completed the 10miler I attempted twice last weekend.  However, it was Ugly.    However before we get there, let’s look back.

Ok, not so healthy but yummy
Ok, not so healthy but yummy

Thursday turned into a rest day instead of gym night, I was feeling a little under the weather.   Earlier in the week, I had made a smart ass comment about something happening on Friday.  I said that if all the stars aligned in the right way, I would buy everyone lunch.  Granted, at the time, I thought there was no way.  That being said, I followed through when I was proved wrong.newgear8-16

Saturday was a day spent shopping.  I may have spent a little more than planned, but it was fun.  🙂  And when did my impulse purchases become running shoes?

I got the puppy a new toy, too
I got the puppy a new toy, too

After getting home, I took my family to a local steak house for dinner, where we I might have eaten too much.  I followed dinner with a late evening stroll with my mom and the puppy.  Had to test out the new shoes, right?

Sunset on the walk
Sunset on the walk

My stomach did not thank me for yesterday’s indulgence, so this morning got off to a rough start.   I did manage to get out the door for my long run by 9 though.   My mother wanted to meet at the track and do some laps.  After  I was going to help her change out a tennis net.  I ran 8 on the track a few weeks ago and did not want to again.  I mapped out a route that was 7 miles across town to the school and planned to finish the last 3 miles on the track.     The downside was that I had to run across the main bridge in town.  I hate running across the bridge, I feel like I am on display, it’s so noisy and just seems so long.  In comparison to big cities I am sure that our bridge is tiny, but I think it may be the biggest in the county.  Not sure if that’s more indicative of the bridge or the county though, hmmm.

Right from the get-go, I knew it was going to be rough.   I had a shortcut option to cut 2 miles off before the school if I felt ill but I did not want to take it.  After my warm up mile, I decided to test out the run/walk feature on my Garmin.  Once I figured out how to do that I set it for 8:30 run and 1:00 walk.  I was foolishly hoping that it would help the run seem a little easier.  It did keep miles 2, 3, 5, 6 around 10:30 pace which was pretty cool for a long run.  Mile 4 was my fastest at 9:29- the bridge mile- I just wanted it done.   I hit 4 traffic lights in the last half of 4 and beginning of 5; I paused my Garmin at each one but let the Nike App run.  I was curious to see how long they took.  All in all they added 5 minutes to my time. lonrun8-17

I completely ran out of gas by the end of mile 6.   Since I was on a path and not the street, I had put in both headphones for a pick me up.  Bad idea- a cyclist came up on my left and I never heard him.  I felt his presence more so I took out a headphone as I turned my head, oops.  I was hugging the far right of the path, so he had plenty of space.  We chatted a bit, I apologized for the headphone gaffe (I swear I only ever use one!) but that I was in such misery I was hoping it would distract me.  He agreed that it was a rough morning and already too warm.    My pace slid off from there.  Miles 7-10 all clocked in the 11’s.  Even on the track.   I have never run that slow on the track but I was just spent.   I even thought about calling it at 8 and heading back out later to another 2 but I really wanted the run done all in one.   I was so glad when I was done.  I stretched some and then headed off to help my mother.  Or try, turns out the replacement net was worse off than the old one, the replacement had been donated.    😦

We followed that up with some yummy Chipotle for lunch, have I mentioned we have a Chipotle now?!   I also learned that you should never go to the grocery store after a long run.  I wanted to buy everything!!!  Luckily I wanted to buy all the fruits and vegetables but still there’s only so much food a person can eat.   I didn’t look at my splits for a few hours because the run just felt so rough to me.  Turns out my overall pace was pretty much near where I had wanted to be for a long run, the run just felt the total opposite of easy.   It makes me a little nervous for the 12 miler I need to do next weekend.

How was your weekend?

Every make a statement you didn’t think you’d have to follow through on?

Ever go to the grocery store after a long run?

Any long run tips?

 

22 thoughts on “Success… of a Sort”

  2. Nice work getting the miles done, even if they weren’t the best. Just makes the good ones that much better! Did you have any fuel on your run? Maybe that would help with energy levels, especially in the heat?

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    1. I admit that I under fuel most runs, but thanks to my GI issues, I can’t really tolerate anything. You think I would be used to that by now. I do run with Gatorade and I always have some chews but can never stomach them.

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  4. I feel that my impulse purchases now are running related as well. What’s happened to me!

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  6. I think you’ll be fine for your 12! Just try not to over think it too much. I always self sabotage when I do that. Chipotle is definitely well deserved after a hard run. And I learned long ago that the grocery store is a bad idea when I’m rungry haha.

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    1. If I could just accept that my long runs are so slow, I think I would be ok. I just disheartened by my pace. I usually go to the store in the morning and run in the afternoon but with 100+ temps predicted I reversed them. Oh, it was hard restraining myself!

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  7. Way to go! I boycotted Chipotle for several years when all their sketchy activities were revealed. But since they’ve cleaned up their act I’ve gone back and love getting the salad with tons of guacamole! Don’t worry, the 12 miler will be tough, but you’ll crush it!

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    1. I admit that they are newer to me so I missed all that drama. I think I really discovered them last year. When it comes to chains, my area doesn’t branch out much. 6 Subways in one town or 3 McDonalds, fine, but don’t let anyone new in, ugh.
      Thanks! Fingers crossed I pull it off!

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    1. I was standing in the deli/ produce section and kind of just wanted one of everything. The trays of pre-sliced melon were calling to me. Haha, my mom says the same thing about taking my dad with her now that he is retired. Apparently he just throws random things in the cart.

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  9. Awesome job getting the miles in, in spite of the heat and general crapness that the Long Run can be 🙂 I love your new running shoes! And the “I hate running” shirt, lol.

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  10. 1. In love with that shirt. I hate running too. Hahahaha.
    2. Sometimes long runs just suck. Kudos to you for sticking with it.
    3. Grocery store after any workout is a bad plan. Haha. But I’m like you, I seem to add all the fruits and veggies.
    4. Chipotle and Moes are some of my favorite places to eat. Absolutely delicious. Mmmmm.

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    1. It’s so comfortable to wear too! I kind of want to wear it all the time now. Hopefully I can stick to my long run tomorrow, I so don’t want to. Maybe I should use Chipotle as an incentive? I am not sure what Moes is though. 🙂

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