Sometimes there are hours, days, weeks and months when workouts just don't seem to work quite right. You go through the motions, but either the mind won't tackle the battle or the body just won't push through. It could last for a few workouts or for many, but when it ends....ahhhhhh, when it ends, it is just a beautiful thing. There's nothing wrong with going through these valleys, I think they make you stronger in the end, but they sure aren't enjoyable. Workouts leave you feeling flat, crabby, achy, and you fall short of your expectations from that day. Always a mental battle, always a battle. The schedule tells you to run this far, sprint this much, pace at this time....when you scratch off that day, you scribble over the page that you didn't quite make it that far or that fast. It's disappointing for sure, but it's just a valley and eventually you'll climb up and get out.
Today I believe I climbed out. All these past days of feeling frustrated with my workouts, not getting in the run that I needed, falling short of my expectations, walking through most of my run, and just feeling dissatisfied with my lack of progress. Last night there was a glimpse of the top of the valley, like I was just about to reach the top. Finished a 5.4 mile run on a hilly course and didn't feel the need to walk, not once. But today, today was even a different story. Set out for an 8.6 mile run with 3 x 1 mile repeats and a cool down. First 2 miles the legs were still feeling that tired, fatigued feeling, but the brain wasn't telling them to just walk! Kept trucking until mile 3.5, then started the one mile repeats. First mile was great! Finished it in 6:47, heart rate stayed around 175! Yes, too fast, but it felt so good to have a decent run. Second mile, 7:23. Third mile was tough, but there was no way I felt like I was going to quit, finished in 7:25. The remainder of the run was at an 8:04 pace but felt as if it were an 8:30 pace. Ah...what a relief. I proudly crossed off today's workout and didn't need to scribble in a big FAIL. Finished off with a 30 min swim in the pool.
Wearing the heart rate monitor was so beneficial today, it told me when I wasn't pushing hard enough and reassured me when I was busting out. I think this will be my new best friend from now on.
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