Spooky running - It's October!

[jessmarimba]

Weekly bar run today. It turned into a tempo run, since the girl who is staying with me isn't as slow as she leads me to believe.

Which is cool, I could use the extra work!

Just signed up to run the Richmond half marathon. Hopefully I can redeem myself after that trail race here

(Also hopefully, the decrease in altitude ought to push me to my goal pace - I'd LOVE to finish in 2 hours but would be content with under 2:05. Since I finished the half during the full in 2:09, I should be able to go faster, right?)

[VeganBikeChick]

Ugh...

Just started "officially" running a month ago. New to the sport, never been an athlete, out of shape, yadda yadda.

Was able to fully run a 5k last week. Haven't been able to do so again. It's so frustrating! I can tell that my aerobic capacity is MUCH better, but it's like there's a signal in my brain telling my legs they can't run another step. So I walk for a song, then start running again.

Any advice on overcoming mind blocks?

[jessmarimba]

When I first started running, I started with a run-walk program and found it to be much easier on me mentally. When I got to about a 5k distance, I was running 5 min, walking 30 seconds. Then I ran a race and didn't walk because no one else was and I realised I could do it.

Other than that I'd say just set goals. You can't run another step? Run one more block, then walk. You'll teach yourself to read physical vs mental limits that way.

[emily_in_nc]

VeganBikeChick,

You've only been running a month and already ran a 5K? You have nothing to feel bad about! That's really quick to get up to that distance. Don't think you can do it again? Well, just scale back a bit, do the run/walk thing until it comes. Yes, it is mind over matter to some degree, but it also takes a body time to build strength and endurance used for running, which are not the same as for cycling. It's not just about aerobic capacity.

I am only running a 5K distance even now, and I've been "running"/jogging, whatever, for over 2 years, so you have nothing to feel bad about. Depending on the weather, my mood, and how much exercise I've been getting (or not getting), sometimes even that 5K distance can feel like a marathon, and I have to play mind games to get myself to the end, like imagining that my deceased father is waiting there for me at the end.

All that said, I did my 5K beach run this morning for the first time since I wrenched my back 1.5 weeks ago, and it felt just fine. However, klutz that I am, I tripped on a root on the path and fell, skidding with both palms on the sand, which was a bit of an owie, but I didn't see to do any other damage and was able to finish just fine.

[VeganBikeChick]

Thank you so much, Emily. Your words are very inspirational and I appreciate your perspective!!

Yay to you for persevering (!!), and owie about your hands - crossing fingers that you heal quickly.

[emily_in_nc]

Thank you so much, Emily. Your words are very inspirational and I appreciate your perspective!!

Yay to you for persevering (!!), and owie about your hands - crossing fingers that you heal quickly.

Awww, thanks! Glad my words could make you feel a bit better about your efforts. I think you're doing just fine - excellent, in fact!

My hands are just fine today, thanks. At least I took my tumble on sand, not on pavement!

[Crankin]

I have found it harder to break any barriers in running than in any other sport I do. I chalk it up to the fact my body just doesn't like it. So, whatever I do, I am now happy with. Hey, I still sweat if I run 2.5 miles or 4 miles, no matter how slowly I run.
I ran one 5K race and I would prefer never to have that experience again, despite the fact I have run 5K distance many many times when I am just out there. My time of 34 minutes wasn't even that bad for a 95 degree day and just having come back from my tour in Spain 4 days earlier. I hated the race so much, I told my friend, who was running the event, at the finish line, "I hate you."