It's funny, sometimes you just don't know what your body is capable of doing until you just push it. Can you push it to the limits on your own or do you need a little nudge from others, maybe from a competitive event? Today, I pushed hard in order to keep from being left behind....it worked.
Despite going to bed at nearly 12:30am, I awoke easily to my 5:30am alarm. I was a bit intimidated about today's 16 mile run, this was only my second time running with this new group of ladies (did I mention they are all 10-13 yrs younger!!!) But, since we were running on the trail at the crack of dawn, I knew just one thing: there was NO way I wanted to be left behind, stranded in the woods all by my lonesome! I had my usual breakfast, GF waffles and a glass of water, then got myself prepared for this very chilly, long run.
We met just before the sun climbed over the horizon, making it a little tricky to find the hole in the port-a-potty, but we all managed. My hope was to stay around an 8:20-8:30 pace and not get too far behind. My goal pace was thrown out the window when I glanced at my Garmin and noticed that even at miles 2, 3, 4, we were still cruising at a 7:54 pace and I became worried that I might not make it to the finish. There were six of us running, so I figured I could always just turn around early and still have the reassurance of people being on the trail.
I decided I would keep going with the group for as long as I could knowing that I could always walk/run/struggle the last few miles. Miles 5, 6, 7, and the turn around at mile 8, and I was still going strong (for me anyway)! Finally took a gel and my first sip of water at mile 12, and though I was running with another lady at the back of the pack, we were still clocking 7:58-8:15's. Our last 4 miles were exhilarating, faster than I thought they'd be yet mentally just as tough as usual. Finally, mile 16!! With a 2:11:10 finish time, that put us at an overall ave pace of 8:12. So that's like a PR for me, faster than I've ever done a 16 mile run in any event or training run! Wow. I've been doing most of my runs between 7:45-8:30 paces, depending on the lenth of the run, but didn't know I could do 16 at that pace until today. It wasn't an all out run, it didn't leave me sore or breathless, I was able to carry on a conversation for the entire run, and yet I wouldn't have done this had I been on my own. I would have taken walking breaks, drank more, slowed down near the end, thought of more excuses why I should stop. Today proved that my running is pretty mental, mentally weak that is. When pushed, I can meet the expectations, meet the goals and distance, other wise I fall short due to my own insecurities and mental weakness. Sad but true, I need to work on this.
What a great run. :)
3 comments:
And who were these younger upstarts leading you to greatness?!
I am happy that you have joined our little group :) Looking forward to a great 2012!
You're a ROCKSTAR Kara, I admire your strength and perseverance. You're going to surpass all your goals in Miami, I can feel it! I hope you quickly recover after the race so that you can still do long runs over the next few months. :)
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