Sunday, September 14, 2008

Soggy

So, by Friday I had only gotten one running day in for the week. So much for my chart.

Even though I knew I had a long run on Saturday scheduled, I decided I needed to get out there and get in a few miles. It had cooled down a bit on Thursday and Friday (mid 70's) and it had been overcast as well, making for ideal running conditions. But of course, I found an excuse to squander away Thursday (hangover), so Friday I needed to suck it up and run.

I left the house thinking it was going to be another wonderfully overcast day and headed out for 7 miles (3.5 out and back). After about 30 seconds I felt a slight sprinkle. No big deal. But of course, the running Gods decided to punish me for skipping out of my run on Thursday. By the time I got to the turnaround, it was absolutely POURING! And I was literally in the middle of nowhere (bike path out to Valley Forge, nothing but trees). The only way out of the soggy mess was to run back. I had no choice.

Here is a picture I took from my couch after I had taken a warm shower and was drinking a cup of tea :)

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Actually, other than my headphones dying from becoming soaked, the run was not bad. It was kind of fun to play in the rain and I really wasn't any more wet than my run last Saturday when the humidity was out of control. It was definitely a lot cooler too. I even saw a few other psychos, I mean runners, out there with me.

I wish I had the same wonderfully positive things to say about my long run the following morning.

Jeremy and I headed out for a 12 mile run at 7am. Our last "long run" before the Philadelphia Distance Run this coming Sunday. It started out OK, and by started out, I mean mile 1. After that it was all downhill. Well, I wish it would have been downhill. It just sucked. It was humid, my legs were tired from the run on Friday and I was miserable (whine, cry, sob...)

I really don't know what my problem is but I have been having a really hard time lately on my long runs. The shorter runs in the middle of the week don't seem to bother me but for some reason, I am NOT feeling it on Saturdays. I get all these negative thoughts in my head that I can't get rid of while I'm running and I literally am on the verge of tears the entire time.

I don't know if it's because I miss running with my old friends and running group or because we are trying to run our longs runs a bit faster this year and I am just not in as good of shape as I was last year. I don't know if it's an accumulation of everything that has happened all year and when I run it all comes tumbling out of the back of my mind. I have no clue. All I know, is all I can think of when I run my long runs lately is how much I hate running.

Is this normal for anyone else? Am I going nuts? Does anyone else experience this? I would say I need to take some times off from training but I really haven't been training that long this year. Oh, who knows...

By the way, the skirt wasn't so hot on my long run. It tore up my thighs. I swear I am running this half-marathon nekkid on Sunday. Or in jeans.

Monday, 9/8 - off
Tuesday, 9/9 - 6.2 miles/59:41 - 9:37 pace
Wednesday, 9/10 - elliptical/40min, weights
Thursday, 9/11 - hungover :(
Friday, 9/12 - 7 miles/1:07:10 - 9:35 pace
Saturday, 9/13 - 12 miles/1:57:10 - 9:47 pace
Sunday, 9/14 - off

Total Weekly Mileage: 25.2

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your run on Friday sounds like the run I had on Wednesday. Way to just have fun with it.

Sounds like the weather for you guys is starting to cool off. Maybe on your next long run you just have to go when you are ready. Sometimes, for me anyway, waking up early to run can seem like a chore or gets old or I'm just not mentally ready yet. However, I can't put it off cause I won't get it done due to heat or won't have time to complete it. I am really looking forward to the cooler temps to not only provide some relief from the heat but to also give me more flexibilty.

Marcy said...

Lately I've been feeling this way (about long runs) as well. I absolutely have been dreading them (which isn't like me) I don't if it's because I'm just sick of training or what but I do KWIM.

You've had a lot going on chica, what about just running without the added stress of time factors? Sometimes I need those days. The whole pace thing makes me hate running at times LOL

Sonia said...

Don't know what to tell you, I'd kill someone to be abe to run long distance right now, even tough I am is really really bad shape lol

A marathon is 50/50 mental and physical so if you aren'T feeling this maybe switch back to the half? Don't know what I would do. Good luck on Sunday anyhow =) You always do better than you think you will!!

Chic Runner said...

I love that picture, and let me tell you, I can totally relate to you about the long runs, last week was my worst. Keep up with it, and if you feel like a shorter run, do it. :)

N.D. said...

That picture was lovely and the vision of tea + couch. So where have you been doing the runs - starting and all? I definitely have some low motivation at times for the long runs, esp when it is the same thing every week. I really try to do new routes or switch it up with some treadmill running or new partners! I like doing the loop down at kelly drive, and you should try valley green for something different too. I have to check my corral for Sun and can't wait to pick up my stuff, I am so pumped!!

Dori said...

It was nice to hear from you. We're both adjusting to running in a new place. Your rainy run reminds me of the summer runs I had in Minneapolis. Running in rough weather makes us ready for anything a marathon can throw at us. I drew the line at lightning, though. :-)

Are you drinking any recovery drinks after your workouts? They may help for your long runs.

Lot's of luck on Sunday!

P.O.M. said...

Just a thought - maybe you're hating your long runs because you're running too often. What if you cut it down to every other day. If I start running 2 days in a row, I resent it (and my hips start hurting).

Yea, the skirt thing is hit or miss. My target one THRASHED my thighs, but the SkirtSports brand was better. However I only ran 3 miles in that.

Runner Leana said...

Just a thought on the shorts, I find the ones with briefs underneath are much better as the shorts tended to ride up on me a lot. That being said though, I highly recommend a good dose of Body Glide regardless...

N.D. said...

Oh yes! last year it took me 1/2 hour to find my parents and then 1 hour to find where I had parked my car!!

Lily on the Road said...

how about dropping the "long runs" for a little while...

Remember, running is for fun, not to beat yourself up over...

take care, it's a long road back...and you know what? You're doing great...!!!

*hugs*

 
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