Trotting for Turkey (November Running)

[7rider]

Ugh.
Been trying to up my mileage by 0.5 miles each weekend, in preparation for the 5-mile Celtic Solstice run coming up on the 18th. Today was 4.5ish.
Also, been running to the beat of a metronome to increase leg turnover speed. It's been exhausting.
Last night, had turkey fried rice for dinner (trying to find creative ways to eat up the holiday leftovers). Rice + morning = not a happy customer for me. Needless to say, I was ... um.. drained by the time I met a friend for this run.
And it wiped me out.
So discouraging. HR spiked (at one point, it said 202, but I don't believe it...but it makes me think of my other running friend and her heart issues). I actually stopped and sat down on a storm drain cover for a bit to ponder my sorry state.
I am waiting for the day when I become a runner. In the meantime, I will be a plodding, suffering, jogger who sorely needs a good a-ha moment to make running work for me.

[Veronica]

Keep at it seven! It took me a long time to decide that I was a runner. For the ah ha came when I set reasonable goals and expectations. I hope you find the magic soon!

Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

I did my first organized 5K today! Turnout was low, so as I suspected, I was the only woman in my age group (46-54), so I won it by default. Even though I was slower than most of the veteran runners in this race, I still had my best ever time (compared to treadmill, trail runs, beach runs, and road runs in the past) for this distance -- 30:28, for a 9:50 pace. Yes, it's slow, but for me, it's awesome!

Even better, my DH came in FIRST overall! He's going to be 58 next Saturday, and there were certainly younger male runners, so I was sooooo proud of him! He did it in 23:16. It's his first organized running event in over 25 years, but he ran track in his young days and has always done well at running. Where I struggle with every stride, it comes easily to him. Lucky guy.

I am super motivated now and want to do more 5Ks to try to get my time under 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there are few organized running events here on the island, so it may be awhile until my next chance.

[emily_in_nc]

I am waiting for the day when I become a runner. In the meantime, I will be a plodding, suffering, jogger who sorely needs a good a-ha moment to make running work for me.

I can totally relate, 7rider! I would describe myself similarly. I have been a cyclist for years and a very irregular runner/jogger. It's never come easily to me as it seems to come to others. It's miserable much of the time, actually.

BUT, I think my "a-ha moment", as you say, came today when I completed my first organized 5K. It was hard, hot, and sweaty, and I was one of the slowest runners, but it really changed my attitude about running.... I suffered, but I was very proud to finish and actually set a PR.

You'll have your moment too. Hang in there!

[VeganBikeChick]

Congrats, Emily! That's great!

I've been invited out for a social run on Thursday, just a 3 miler around the lake. I have a VERY slow pace, and really want to go, but I've never met these people before, don't want anyone to feel like they have to run with me, but also don't want to be the outcast because I can't keep up with the group. Decisions, decisions.

[Veronica]

Congrats, Emily! That's great!

I've been invited out for a social run on Thursday, just a 3 miler around the lake. I have a VERY slow pace, and really want to go, but I've never met these people before, don't want anyone to feel like they have to run with me, but also don't want to be the outcast because I can't keep up with the group. Decisions, decisions.

I say go! Sometimes running with someone just a little faster, makes you a little faster.

Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

Congrats, Emily! That's great!

I've been invited out for a social run on Thursday, just a 3 miler around the lake. I have a VERY slow pace, and really want to go, but I've never met these people before, don't want anyone to feel like they have to run with me, but also don't want to be the outcast because I can't keep up with the group. Decisions, decisions.

Do it! You'll never know until you try, and even if you end up last and running alone, at least you got out there, which is more than 99% of people would do.

Believe me, I was nervous about even attempting this 5K today. Sure, I've run that distance many, many times in training, but I was afraid it would be much harder on race day, I'd freeze up or something. I knew I would be one of the last finishers. But you know what, it doesn't matter. I still had a blast and feel great about it!

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Do it do it do it!

[emily_in_nc]

By the way, if anyone wants to read the excruciating details, or (more likely) see the photos from a 5K in Belize, I wrote it up on our blog:

http://bebelize.weebly.com/1/post/20...mily-home.html

Emily

[GLC1968]

Awesome job, Emily!

7rider - I didn't feel like a runner (ie, I never started enjoying my runs) until I started upping my mileage and running more often. I think it was the week I got up to 20 miles per week by running every day that it hit me that I was having a lot of good runs and that I was starting to *crave* a run! I'd heard that would be the case, but I never believed it until it happened to me.


Now I have plenty of lousy runs, but they only serve to make the good ones seem even more special. Oh, and I'm still slow, but improving...

[Crankin]

Congratulations, Emily. I feel just like you; I'll never feel "good" while running. But, although I am on an extended forced rest from running due to a probable stress fracture, it's nice to hear about others' adventures. I've certainly had the urge to run, which must count for something. But, I am going to wait, probably until the spring or late winter to start up again, so I can enjoy my winter sports.