Embracing my Inner Turtle- Training for 10 Mile Race

5

April 15, 2012 by CJ

I did something crazy a few weeks ago.  I signed up for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.

A friend is running it and convinced me it would be an “absolutely amazing thing” to do.  With all of her 20-something enthusiasm, I drank the kool-aid and believed, I too, could run 13.1 miles.  When I went to the site to download a training schedule, I noticed there was a training schedule for a 10 mile race in Disney too.  I downloaded that.  After adjusting the dates for my 10 mile race I realized I needed to get to it.  I tossed my 1ok plans and began following the plan for the 10 miler.  Fortunately, the 10 mile plan has me running more than a 10k, so I feel pretty confidant about being prepared for that upcoming race.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about running my first unofficial 10k.  I was supposed to run 7 miles the following week.  I didn’t.  I was in a funk (future post to explain this I promise).  I barely got 4 miles in that week.  As this week began, I still was not feeling “it”.  I allowed every excuse I had to not run take over.  Fortunately, I was able to work my way through this down period and I started running again.  30 minutes on Friday then 3 miles on Saturday.  After my Saturday run I felt fantastic.  Not only did I get 3 miles in, I knocked 30 seconds off my average pace!  When I got home I was on top of the world.  I decided then, screw the experts and their thoughts about taking a day off before a long run, I was going for my long run Sunday morning!

Sunday morning I was up and out the house early.  The weatherman was calling for a high of 80.  I wanted to get my run out of the way before it got too hot.  I drove out my route and it appeared pretty simple.  The first quarter-mile was flat and easy.  Then I turned the corner and realized that the slight hill I drove down to get here, was a major hill to run.  Funny, it didn’t seem that steep in the car.  Halfway up the first hill, my legs began to remind that they required a rest day.  I ignored their pleas to stop and kept going.  My goal was to run the first mile, at least.  Unfortunately, my thighs didn’t agree.  I stopped and walked.  For the next mile and a half I tried various run/walk combos until I found one that I could run comfortably and would allow plenty of time for my legs to rest.  I recalled reading in one of the training papers that the long run should be 1-2 mins slower than your race day run.  15:30-16:30 yeah, I could do that today and I did.

I finally settled on running a quarter-mile then walking a quarter-mile while going uphill.  Once I hit my summit, I ran half a mile and walked a quarter-mile.  I admit, it was much slower than I had anticipated.  I had to keep reminding myself that the long run is not about speed, it’s about building endurance.  I didn’t worry about my pace or time, I relaxed, kept my head up, shoulders down and did it.  I admit it wasn’t easy.  And I was wrong, very wrong about taking a break.  I will never do that again!

Lessons learned from this run:

• Take a break before my long runs
• Embrace my inner turtle.  Going slow is ok
• Making adjustments during the run is imperative
• Hills you drive up, are much steeper to run up

 

Plans for this week:

• Run Tuesday and Thursday-Maybe Wednesday
• Rest and enjoy dinner with friends Friday
• Run my first official 10k Saturday!!!!!

http://www.wallpaper4me.com/wallpaper/Sea-Turtle-Hug/

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