lesson learned

I did it! I passed the 10 mile mark yesterday!

When I made my life goal list last December, I also made a deal with myself that once I reached 10 miles, that would be the time to put the money down on the Marathon. So, I guess it's time to do that now!

This time around, I did things much, much differently!

For starters, I was in Augusta, where the air is much better. I ran a course that was actually a bit hilly, and I started the run around 7. I think the conditions are comparable to what the Peachtree 10k will be like (or at least I hope they are, since I handled them ok!). My course was 5 loops, each loop was 2 miles long. I ran the loop forwards, back, forwards, back, back. At the end of each loop, I took a quick water break. At the end of loop 3 (6 mile mark), I slurped down an energy gel.

I can't believe I actually made it this far. By the time I was on mile 9 I started smiling really big, because I knew I had it done. It's such a great feeling, getting out of the discouragement and reaching for something I've never done. Thanks for everyone who has encouraged me this week!

discouraged

So after I ran 8 miles, I felt pretty good about myself & my running. The next week I was supposed to reach the 10 mile mark.

Well...that didn't happen.

I think my biggest mistake was that I had successfully run 8 miles without stopping and without a water break during the run. I think I gave myself an invincibility complex. Like...I can run 8 miles, I can run 10 miles without any help! Cuz I'm awesome & on a roll!!!

Then Sunday rolls around and I go for a run, and it's not all shady, and actually quite hot! I got around to the 3 mile mark and started feeling incredibly parched. I got towards the 5 mile mark and felt incrediby weak. I looked ahead and saw a neverending hill.

And then I did the one thing I have not done since starting my training way back in January. I stopped. I walked. I walked all the way home, and didn't finish the 10 mile loop I had mapped out for myself.

I'm pretty down & discouraged right now. I feel like if I can just reach the 10 mile mark, that's a big step! I can really do a marathon in 6 months. But I just couldn't do it this weekend =( I feel like such a loser!

I just thought I could do too much. Maybe if I had brought water with me, or maybe if I had broken up the route better into down & back segments rather than one huge overwhelming 10 mile loop. Maybe I just psyched myself out because I couldn't stop thinking about the run all week long, overthought things. Who knows...

So this week I am just repeating last week's training, and hopefully reaching 10 miles this weekend. It's a big step, because I keep telling myself that once I reach 10 miles, I'm putting the money down for Disney.

Wish me luck, and happy thoughts!