I went for a run yesterday and couldn’t even make it two miles without walking. What?! How discouraging! Usually I can just tell myself to keep going and I do, but this time my legs just stopped running. It was crazy. The sun was really hot yesterday, though. I was a sweaty, panting mess at that point.
It also might be because I decided I should push myself to run a bit faster. Nothin crazy. Just a wee bit faster. Result: Walking before I even hit two miles. Moral: Just run the pace at which I’m comfortable, and I’ll get faster in time. No need to rush.
In case you’re wondering (as I was) just how fast (slow) I run, I’ll fill you in today.
I recently bought a watch at Target. Nothin fancy. Just a $29.99 women's Timex sports watch. I wanted something that can tell time, has a stopwatch, and maybe has a glowy feature (in case of night running now that the days are so short, but don’t even get me started on that). This one has all three! It can also calculate my pulse, but I don’t really care about that right now.
In case you’re wondering (as I was) just how fast (slow) I run, I’ll fill you in today.
I recently bought a watch at Target. Nothin fancy. Just a $29.99 women's Timex sports watch. I wanted something that can tell time, has a stopwatch, and maybe has a glowy feature (in case of night running now that the days are so short, but don’t even get me started on that). This one has all three! It can also calculate my pulse, but I don’t really care about that right now.
I wore it on my run tonight.
I discovered some terrible news.
THAT’S how long it took me to run three miles. More than 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! Surely this devil watch must be lying!!! But the sad thing is, I'm pretty sure it wasn't. I didn’t feel like I was running that slow! Gah. Frustrated frustrated frustrated. On the plus side, no sideache!
Tonight’s run was brought to you by BUGS.
2 bugs flew into my mouth
2 bugs flew into my eye
1 bug flew up my nose
1 piece of spider web stuck to my face
2 bugs flew into my eye
1 bug flew up my nose
1 piece of spider web stuck to my face
YUCK. I hate bugs soooo much.
My goal for this weekend’s 5K is to run the entire thing. No walking allowed. If it takes me 36 minutes, fine. I’ll just be ecstatic to have completed something I never would have thought possible. I’m nervous, though, because I think the course will be hilly. La Crescent, Minnesota, is like bluff central. I’ve been running outside, but my route isn’t very hilly. Just one more thing for me to worry about. Great. And even though I'll be totally pumped to just finish the darn thing, I know I'll be bummed that it's not even a couple of minutes faster :( Boo hoo me. Pity party here!
you don't know how to tell time...do you?
ReplyDeleteYou know, there is really nothing wrong with walking a bit... It's taken me a LONG time to realize this... I always thought I had to run without stopping, or I wouldn't be happy with myself. But taking walking breaks is totally okay and may be a way to run faster and further in the end...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your run on Sunday! It's all about the journey... I know that's not always entirely true... ;) Okay, I'll stop bugging you now! :)
Walking breaks are actually built into some training plans for half marathons and marathons, so don't feel bad if you need to take some.
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet you will run faster than you think; being in a race is a different kind of feeling, and it will give you lots of adrenaline. I ran my first 5k in 34:19 (still slow, I know), but before that day my fastest time was a little under 38 minutes!
It's hard, but try not to focus on your time for now. Focus on finishing. You can do it!!! I believe in you.
ReplyDeleteIf you need to walk, walk. Just try to limit it to a short walk, like 15 or 30 seconds at a time. Just enough to get your wind back. It's quite common and nothing to be ashamed of.
And if it's any consolation... I swallowed a few bugs tonight too. It's gross, but hey ... it's extra protein, right???
Sorry but I can't make it to your pity party. You are running, you will run a 5K and you should be very proud of yourself whether you take a few walk breaks or not. Also, did you notice it is the Run to the Edge "Scenic 5K Run/Walk?"
ReplyDeleteEwww...bugs for dinner? Yuck.
Remember-- slow and steady wins the race! :-) You have plenty of time to work on speed later. Don't stress about it now!
ReplyDeleteDo not worry about your time! Just remember that no matter how you get there, you have still gone 3.1 miles! You never know, you might surprise yourself! I find that my time is usually better on race day with all the excitement, plus most races are in the morning and I feel a lot better than during my night-time training runs.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!!!
Good Luck Amanda...I ran the MOCA 5K on Saturday and during the race I kept thinking it is just a little further and eventually it was done. It is awesome that you have the energy and health to do the run...as the writer said above the speed will come.
ReplyDeleteI wish everyone would stop saying they are slow!! You are not slow. You are running at a pace that is comfortable and there is nothign wrong with that!!! Be proud of what you CAN do instead of putting yourself down. Also, like others said there is nothing wrong with taking a walk break. Walking does not equal failure.
ReplyDeleteMy first 5k I finished in 39:02. I ran a 5k a week ago and finished in 31:39 - you eventually will get faster as you run more.
Good luck and have fun! You will rock the 5k and will be surprised by your time.
Who cares how fast you're running - at least you're running!! Good for you. Good luck with the race!
ReplyDeleteWho says 36 minutes is slow? No one says you have to be front of the pack, or even middle of the pack. No one says you ever have to get faster. As long as you feel like you're putting out an effort and having a blast, that's all that matters. And remember, your "slow" could be someone else's PR.
ReplyDeleteGood luck at the race!
Don't worry about time! I used to try to run so fast and could not make it more than 10 minutes. Finally I slowed down and was able to run 3 miles. It will be a huge accomplishment no matter how fast you go!
ReplyDeleteYOu are cracking me up. Atleast those bugs are protein!!! :) Think of it as a light snack boost on your run.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. You'll do great!
Hi - I'm sure commenters above said something similar but: don't worry about your time. A 12 minute mile is not slow. It is hard not to compare yourself to other people who blog about running "an easy 4 miles at an 8:30 pace." *BUT* you are doing great!! You are getting out there and running and have experienced significant improvement to your stamina. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete*Also - walking is often worked into training programs and may benefit your overall time. No shame in walking. :)
**Good luck in your 5K this weekend!!
Hi - you are going to do well. I am running my first 1/2 marathon this Sunday. One of my friends completed a marathon a few years ago and told me that what I am feeling this week (very simliar to your feelings and concerns over not being able to run as far w/o walking)is very common and everything will work out on race day. I am going to be ok with walking when I need to walk - I wish you all the best on Saturday - good luck! - Barb
ReplyDeleteYay, mucho good luck to you! You'll be fine. I'm running a 5k this weekend too! I spent a long time running just to run so I started a little faster (I ran for almost a year and was up to 4-5 miles before I did even a 5k) - my goal was 30 minutes because I had never done it, and I came in just under 28 minutes because the race just pumped me up to exert myself in a way I hadn't done before.
ReplyDeleteThis one - the goal is 26. My last treadmill time was 26:10 (and I was just about dying during it) so here's hoping.
When I started running and I finally got the mileage up there, I was STOKED to run for 3 miles even if it was 36 minutes. 12 minute miles are nothing to sneeze at. My fiance is running this race too (his first! <3) and he's right around 35-40 mins depending on the day.
Used to be 278 lbs, lost 120 and am running a 1/2 marathon in a week & a half...I *NEVER* ran *AT ALL* until less than 6 months ago...a 5K was my first race (in May) and it took me 39 minutes. I did a 15K last weekend and averaged a 11.5 minute mile. I'm not anybody great, just a normal girl who's keeping on training! YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!! YOU WILL!!!
ReplyDelete