On Thursday, I officially started training for my half-marathon. And it was terrible. I tried sticking to the 5:2 interval but my body was not happy by the time the third interval came around. Out of the 3 miles, I maybe ran one of them.
Yesterday, I had to run 4 miles. I stuck to running 1 mile, walking 1/2 a mile, and so forth, which worked so much better for me. Ideally, I don’t want to walk so much but it was a good practice run for me and I hope to work on cutting down my time. (I think I probably could have only walked 1/4 a mile, but I decided to keep it easy.)
Thursday’s 3 miles took me 49 minutes. Sunday’s 4 miles took me 59 minutes (just 90 seconds off my goal race pace!). Thursday’s run made me regret signing up for a half-marathon. Sunday’s run made me want to sign up for 6 more. Thursday’s run defeated me. I defeated Sunday’s run.
The difference in the two runs can all be boiled down to one word: attitude. I was nervous for both runs, but honestly, I had it in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to handle Thursday’s run. I was worried about how my run would go, not very confident I could even run for 3 minutes after taking a two-week break. And it showed. My mind wasn’t in the run, so my body wasn’t. Sunday was a totally different story. I was determined to have a good run. I wanted to be able to brag about this run, not get discouraged by yet another crappy run. (90% of which is just my own inability to beat the mental game.) I left my heart and soul out on that path. I didn’t give in, even when my body was screaming at me to stop. I kept thinking, “Hey! I’m still running!” I won’t deny that I came close to tears around Mile 3.5 when I realized that I was indeed still running and was going to complete these 4 miles with a big, huge grin on my face.
My confidence is back. I won’t say I’m not nervous about Tuesday’s 3-mile run, but I know it all depends on my attitude and beating the mental game. Physically, I can do it. Mentally…I can also do it.
And before I forget! The winner of the $55 gift certificate to CSN Stores is Becky! Please e-mail me at stephanywrites [@] gmail [.] com within 48 hours to receive your prize!
I am SO proud of you!! You are absolutely right. Attitude is everything. If you think you can do it, you will. I'm nervous before all my runs. I have no idea why. I suppose I'm afraid I will do bad or that I will injure myself. What will be, will be. I'll just let it happen.
I'm so glad you had a great run on Sunday. I'm proud of you for pushing yourself through it! It can be such an emotional (happy!) feeling when you complete what you've set out to accomplish. 🙂
Way to go girlie!!! Keep up the good 'tude!
Congratulations!!!! Attitude definitely has a lot to do with running. I know that if I have a negative attitude going into a run, I don't do as well!
I definitely agree with all the comments above mine- attitude has a lot to do with it. You can do anything you put your mind to, if you want it badly enough! Good look with your run on Tuesday!
That is so true! When you think you can't do it, you can't! Glad you rocked Sunday's run and now know you have it in you. Keep it up, you've got a long way to go and you can totally do it!
I'm so proud of you! I don't have a lot of experience with running but when I was doing the couch to 5K program, going into a run with a good attitude made a world of difference. Keep up the good work! (And wahoo for winning giveaways! Thanks! I emailed you!)
Congrats, you should be so proud of yourself!!! I think that's the best feeling – thinking that you can't do it, but pushing through and succeeding. And, I think it's good that you realize not every run is going to be your best. You have good runs and bad runs, but the important thing is is that you do it to make yourself happy and healthier. Good luck!!
It's definitely mostly mental!! Go you!
Yay! So happy for you! I would say running is 90% mental so you definitely have the right idea with adjusting your attitude 🙂
attitude is definitely a huge factor in my exercise/running/workouts 🙂 Good luck with the three miler on Tuesday! I'm sure you'll rock it!
It's funny how our attitude can be one of the bigger obstacles in getting stuff done. Congrats on an awesome run!
Good for you for overcoming that mental hurdle! You will get stronger with each run!
So much of running is mental, imo anyway. That is something I need to work on too. I know I could have finished my marathon stronger, but I let my mind get the best of me. I am not upset about it, at all, but just ready to learn how to overcome that.
Enjoy tomorrow's run!
P.S. Every time I run in the cold I think of you 😉
Keep at it.. always hard starting out but I have so so so so much faith in you.
Good for you! Keep with it and it will get easier!
That's great!!! 🙂 Yeah, I've noticed I do way more when I have a better attitude at the gym. Keep it up!
Keep it up! It totally a mental battle. So much of running is mental. Yes, there is a physical component, obviously, but the mental part is equally important!
Just stay positive! You can do it!
Attitude is everything! Before I go to bed I'm usually extremely motivated for my morning run. When I wake up, however, I'd rather skip a day but I force myself and feel so good afterward. I've heard from experienced runners even that there will always be days when you just truly hate getting up and going on that run.
You are doing great and the key is to stick with it and to never find any excuses. Keep it up!
Good for you, Stephany! I've been there with running and many other things, and attitude makes the biggest difference.
Good for you for overcoming that mental hurdle! You will get stronger with each run!
So much of running is mental, imo anyway. That is something I need to work on too. I know I could have finished my marathon stronger, but I let my mind get the best of me. I am not upset about it, at all, but just ready to learn how to overcome that.
Enjoy tomorrow's run!
P.S. Every time I run in the cold I think of you 😉
attitude is definitely a huge factor in my exercise/running/workouts 🙂 Good luck with the three miler on Tuesday! I'm sure you'll rock it!