Double Digits!!

I finally broke that double digit barrier for the first time since the Princess Half Marathon in February.  11 miles down, and I'm definitely thanking the Jeff Galloway plan.  This run/walk plan is helping make the training a bit more enjoyable than me trying to muscle my way through it.  This run was definitely a push, but in all honesty, it felt better than the 9 mile run.

That's not saying that everything was perfect.  I was definitely running up hill in the middle of the run, or at least it felt like that, but I got through it.  After the 8th mile, I definitely hit my stride again and the last few miles actually felt decent.  I was tired and I could tell I need to work on strengthening my quads some more, but I was able to make it.

The sunrise was really pretty though.  I started when the stars were out, the moon was shining and I finished when the sun was out and blaring.  One of these days I'll take a picture of the sunrise and sunset I see on my runs.  Part of my run goes around a lake and sunset and its reflection always takes my breath away (well that, and the huffing and puffing from running).

Determination definitely played a part in my run today.  Instead of me running straight out and back like I did on my 9 miler, I made a few loops around my house and the neighborhoods surrounding me.  This way, I didn't have to hold my water bottle for 11 miles, and I was able to get grapes and Powerade on my stops to help refuel me.  There were some doubts that I would be able to continue my run after coming into the house (Thanks Dad...), but I was definitely able to get back out.  Especially towards the end, I HAD to finish.  There was no option otherwise.

Knowing When To Stop

I fell asleep early last night which made me wake up early this morning... Ya, I should have seen that coming, but it was all for the better.

I ended up running 7.56 miles this morning and it felt good... until about 7.25-ish.  That's when my legs died and my motivation plummeted.  The way I was feeling, I knew it was better to stop and finish the last .5 mile home walking than pushing it, completely dying, and possibly getting injured.

I think that's one of the most important things.  We're always pushing ourselves to go faster and farther, but we also need to know when it's time to stop.  If you go too hard or fall the chances of hurting do become a reality.  I believe that the constant self evaluation is key to knowing if you're good to continue or if you need to stop.

I had that issue during my first few half marathons where I ended up getting shin splints and I think it's a reason an ankle injury bothered me for so long.  Luckily, I had some amazing coaches and trainers who helped me get back on track.  Now I'm always monitoring how I'm feeling and if I can keep going.  Usually, I know it's just a wall or my body not wanting to work and I keep pushing.  Today was just a whole new feeling and I put on the brakes...

There are definitely times I wish I had listened to my body in the past, but we learn by making mistakes, right?

Do You Plan? Or Just Go?

Today nor tomorrow are my run days, but Tuesday I have my "long" run planned.  I'm not sure how long it is actually going to be and that is what I'm debating currently.

I tend to go into runs with a plan.  I'll run this far for or try and get to this landmark.  I won't walk until whatever mile... etc...  You get my point, I have a plan.

It's actually kind of sad how often that plan dissolves within the first mile or two of my run.  Heck, there are even mornings that I don't even get out because I am just so tired.  There are days I'm still sore or my muscles are just tired and I end my runs earlier than I plan.  Then there are the really good days where I get out there and I just feel so good I run right past what I was planning to run.

That has been the case the last few weeks.  I got 5 miles in when I planned for 3.  And then I ran 7 miles last week when I only planned for 5.  However, I'm also well aware these feelings are fleeting at best.  I might get them a handful of times.  My last two runs haven't felt that great so I'm really not expecting too much from my run on Tuesday.

So I'm planning for a 5 mile run again, and we'll see how that actually goes.  Will I surpass that?  Give up early?  Or hit it exactly?

So what do you do?  Do you plan your runs before hand or do you just decide to get out there and see how far you can go?

A 9 Mile Day...

This morning I was able to get out and run 9 miles!  It really did feel good.  Getting that one calf to finally loosen up helped a lot.

But as I'm sure you all know, you never really feel the soreness and pain from a run directly after the run. Unless there's an injury or a tight muscle, I normally feel pretty good after my runs.  On runs like today, I actually have to stop myself from running more, which is a pretty amazing feeling to have.

And then usually the soreness hits.  Yet today, it wasn't nearly as bad.  I give credit to the fact I had to work and thus I was standing up and constantly moving.  I was able to work all that lactic acid out of my legs and while they did get tight for a bit, they also loosened up.

I honestly don't think I've felt this great after a long run in a long time... if ever.  So now I guess it's a good thing to work after I have long runs?