My training has stepped up a few notches as the marathon comes closer into view. It’s time to stop messing around and focus. There’s a bit of grunting and sweating going on as well.
Last night, I donned my run wear as soon as I hit home. Out into the cool evening I went and found myself exhilarated. Ignoring the planned “easy” pace, I let the music take me. I ran hard and had a fabulous run.
Later that night, I looked up my schedule run for today and discovered 6 x 800’s were coming my way. I tried not to immediately regret my pushing hard, even though I knew that back-to-back hard runs would be challenging.
Once again, the evening greeted me with a nice cool temperature. I geared up and was out the door. I arrived at the track with less than a mile completed. I finished off my warm up with another lap and let the fun begin.
Unfortunately, tonight’s run was NOT fun at all. Pushing hard into the wind felt as if I wasn’t moving at all.On the other side, when technically the wind should have been at my back, I felt no sign of it — no help at all. My first 800 clocked in around 15 seconds slower than my target. I groaned, then vowed to push harder in the next one.
As the workout progressed, I fought the inclination to give up. I was sucking big time, and the wind was making it all worse. I dug deep, but not deep enough. Although I did not complete all six repeats, due to the sun going down, I didn’t let myself give up. For that, I am proud.
And…I have something to work towards.
800s are rarely fun… and running into the wind makes them less so :-) but I’m sure your body accomplished the goals of the workout, even if you didn’t meet your times…
Ugh…I feel for you! Those are times I feel like I need a collar/leash and someone to just drag my body behind. Kudios to you for getting out there and doing your best!
Sometimes, you just need the runs like the first one you described.
And if the wind in your area was anything like it was a bit north, you were working extra hard.
Hope the training keeps going well!
I just looked at the races you’re doing. Good luck tomorrow with your half! Maybe I’ll do that one next year. And I’m interested to hear how you like the Santa Barbara marathon. If I hadn’t gotten in to New York, I would have signed up for that. My training partner is doing CIM that day, so I’m probably going to Sacramento to support her.