I don't always like the journey. I have a small amount of paitence for what seems like busy work. Work that fills the allotted amount of time I am required to be in class. Work that fulfills a requirement that basically reiterates everything I have already done in a class, but does nothing to help me learn something else. That is why sometimes I am so surprised sometimes that I love running. I love the act of running. I love the training portion of it. As monumentous as running the marathon in January is going to be and as much as I desperately want to be able to go the distance sometimes it just takes a fabulous run to remind myself, that yeah I can do it, I will complete the marathon, but I think for most runners who find themselves constanly out on the road, the track, the treadmill we answer that question that people are always asking ( "why would you ever want to run that far?") with every workout. We train because we love to train. We run because we love to run.
Don't get me wrong, my sights are absolutely set on finishing the Walt Disney World Marathon in January, but this past week throughout my runs I am reminded of why I wanted to invest so much time into one goal that all comes down to one day of 26.2 miles.
I downloaded some new music to my ipod and was excited to try it out this past week. I was feeling really run down on Sunday, so I bagged my long run. Monday though I made it to the gym for five miles on the treadmill with new music. I thought it would be harder than it was, ( And maybe it was considering my pace) but I enjoyed every minute of it and loved the energy that the combination of music brings to essentially running around on a hamster wheel. On Tuesday though I was sick as a dog, but the weird thing was as sick as I was I wanted to run, I kept thinking "it will make you feel better... however the fatigued sick little devil on my shoulder won out and I went back to bed. Friday I felt good enough to want to get out, but I had classes that were taking priority as well as meetings with counselors to finally get a confirmation- that yes if you pass all your classes this semester you will graduate! I went to the gym that night to do a long run, but they were closing early. Saturday I attempted to do a Tempo run on the treadmill. I can't ever think of a reason why I would do speedwork on a treadmill, but tempo's on the treadmill make sense for now as I am trying to incorporate them into my training. Kind of like bumper gaurds for bowling when you first start out. It went well. I did the first 1.75 miles as a warm up them tried to maintain a 9:40-9:49 minute pace for two miles, finished that and then added another 1.25 mile cooldown.
Sunday my goal was fifteen miles. ( If your keeping track that would have given me 30 for the week.) I woke up late, but decided I needed this. I was gonna go for it. However despite my love for the track, driving back to Logan this past week ( At 5:30 in the morning) I thought about how it would be a beautiful long run if I ran early enough in the morning. Despite the heat at 11:00 I went out anyway. I also chose the road that eventually leads into I-15, because it had mile markers and I still can't just go run. I have to know my miles. I parked at a hotel and walked up to a mile marker. I was nervous about carrying a pack with me for my first fifteen miles, but I needed the water. I started my run and was surprised how comfortable it became. I was enjoying the scenery ( but not the dead skunk smell) and was holding a pretty even pace. I stopped about every two miles for water and powerade from my pack and also got a lot of strange looks from people in their cars, but kept at it. I hit the 6 mile mark and decided I should turn around so I could go to work. On the way back though I found that second wind, that kick where you know you have it in you to push the pace. I also knew that I had to cover 7 miles no matter what, ( I had talked my self down to 12 as the clock sped up and my pace crept up) so I might as well run through. Several times during this run I would crank up the music and sing along. ( I am sure I looked crazy, but I didn't care it was my workout and I was going to enjoy it.) I passed bikers and waved and shared in this family of those who must sweat, because we love it.
As I made it to my final mile marker that brought me into 13 miles I was overwhelmed with how much my legs were talking to me as I walked back to my car. I hadn't been in pain or really felt like I was tanking, but it was weird that my body knew what I was expecting of it, it knew I had to get back to the car before it could rest and then it let me know about all the aches and pains. I think that is what training will teach me. That our bodies have the power to keep us in this state of disbelief. That if there is anything really serious going on we will be made aware, but until then they are content to just let us pound away at the pavement and sing like no one is watching.
Here's to loving the training
Meagan
