I have not had the confidence in my running that I have had in the past. It is true that I have several months to go before I am normally focused on my goal race. I have just been aware that, due to my current circumstances, I am not able to make my long runs the priority that I have in the past.
My priorities just need to be different right now. It has to be that way, but I am not willing to just give up on my goal. Somehow, I must find a way to make it all work. If I fail in my BQ attempt, it won’t be from a lack of trying.
I am lucky that YaYa rides his bike along side of me without much complaint. Still, running with him requires a level of distraction that tires me at times. Cheerfully, he asks a lot of questions along the way. If I am not right beside him, I can’t always hear him. Straining to focus on his words, I am less focused on, or aware of, the aspects that I most enjoy in running.
So when Mark emailed me to ask if I’d be running, I emailed back to say that I needed to run alone today. It wasn’t that I needed an emotional purge, as is often the case; I just needed to be alone with runner Juls.
I checked the instructions just prior to heading down stairs. Coach prescribed another run where the first and last mile were set mid-way between easy and long run pace. The middle miles were to be at 8:00-8:15/mile. It seemed simple enough.
I hit the road and was initially pleased at the ease of the slow pace. The biggest challenge was not letting my automatic pilot kick in. This was especially true when I hit the hill. My normal instinct would be to use the tackle approach. I completed the first mile at the crest of the hill and let gravity take me to the bottom. The wind felt good and I let myself surge ahead. At the bottom, Garminia was shaking her finger at me as I had gone too fast. It worked out nicely as it allowed me to slow down while navigating the parking lot and street that I needed to cross.
Along the Baylands and back onto the trail, I ran steady. I listened to my breathing, felt my arms pumping and let my body relax. I was focused on the run and it was good. By the time I was into my final mile, I had enjoyed running hard and was ready to cruise back to office at a nice easy pace. The cool breeze was blowing, the sun was shining, and I was smiling.
A good, solo run can do wonders for the soul. So can a run of companionship. The key is knowing which you need! You obviously did.
good for you!
woohoo, juls! nicely executed. it’s always so good to see these sorts of posts from you. speaking of posts. i LOVE the new theme and layout!
It’s HARD running and keeping track of the little guy. I can totally understand needing some time with yourself.
You CAN make it work Juls! You just got to be strong and tough. Nice run, too. It’s good to recharge your mental and physical batteries.
Oh, and I didn’t mean to make “just” sound like its easy. I know its not. I just have faith.
Sounds like you got exactly what you needed today. Keep smilin’
Ah that sounded like a nice run! I know how hard it is to run with a child…I try to run with my 3 year old in a jogging stroller -which sounds easy enough -and get the flow of questions as well.
Nice Julie and you will find a plan that will work along the way. The weekend, long-training sessions are the challenge but it is great you are doing it anyways with YaYa and it is sooooo awesome and actually heart warming that you both are putting up with each other and spending the time. I think it is great YaYa is being so patient and doing it with you (rather than complaining and whining ‘why do you have to go so far, it’s hot’, etc…..) In a way I think you are helping each other and if it takes 20 years to get to Boston, oh well! You are a great mom and person and in the end that will matter most and something you will always feel proud of. YaYa is growing too fast and our little ‘babie’ will be gone and we will look back at the challenges accomplished ‘together’ and I know his ‘training’ rides with you will remain in his heart when he is grown and on his own (and I am sure he will think of you (and what he did with you) as he works toward his own goals to see what it takes and that just because you want it, doesn’t mean you’ll get it and that hard work and persistance will get you where you want to be…when it is meant to be.) Sorry I am not sticking to Boston as the immediate goal. You will get there, I am sure of that.
Love you! Linda