Another Tough RUN...

Saturday was again long run day. 5 miles was the plan. And this time I was even more excited because my friend Holly from Running and Baking Oh My was coming to run with me! It's been forever since I've seen and run with her and I couldn't wait!

This past week all of my runs were really tough. You remember last weekend's run and how I had to get tougher? Well I was hoping for a much better long run this weekend. I NEEDED a good run.

I woke up Saturday morning and immediately checked the temperature and humidity. It was 6AM and already 80° outside! But it feels like 84°!!! And the humidity was at 81%!!! My last hope was for a little wind to help ease the heat...but no...the wind was east at 1 mph. Do you think I even noticed that 1 mph?

But it was long run day. Holly was on her way. And I had to get it done. And I really really wanted it to be a good run. An easy run. An enjoyable run just catching up with my friend. But the run had different plans.

We started out slow because I knew better than to start out way too fast when my runs had already been tough lately. Right away I kinda knew the run was going to be tough. My legs were tired. I was having a hard time breathing.

The first two miles I think I talked Holly's head off lol! I hadn't seen her since I got my new job so I had to tell her all about that. And all about how I was decorating my classroom with owls (can you tell I'm super excited about that)! Then I ran out of things to say. Because I was struggling. I slowed us down a little more. We were at mile 2.5 and I was so ready to quit.

A road I run often!

Around mile 3 we stopped for a water break. I drank my water and was still having trouble catching my breath. I bet my heart rate was high. We started running again and then I felt something. My tummy was starting to hurt. I'm not sure if I drank the water too fast or what. But I had that crampy feeling in my tummy and started to worry. There were no bathrooms near us. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes and then it went away! Whew! Crisis adverted. That was the last thing I needed on an already crappy run (no pun intended lol)!

We only had two miles left. I was struggling. I kept having to remind myself it was only two miles and I could do it. And you know what? I did! I made it! I ran those hard, tough, crappy 5 miles!

But the frustration has set in. I am frustrated and unhappy with my runs lately. This whole summer I have been rockin' my runs. I guess it's finally caught up with me. I also think it has gotten hotter and more humid this week. August IS usually the hottest month here on the Gulf Coast.

Right now...I can't imagine running a half marathon. And my next one is in October (it will be my 17th half). Training starts in two weeks. The thought of running even 8 miles in this weather worries me. If 5 is really hard right now how am I going to run more than that???

I know I am in a running funk...but I don't want to be! I know this happens almost every year around this time...but I was really hoping to skip it this year lol! Gotta take my own advice: When the RUN gets tough...GET TOUGHER!

Thanks for listening to me rant and rave. I hope to bring you happier runs soon! ;-)

QOTD: Does the heat and humidity affect your runs? 

When the Run Gets Tough...

Saturday morning was long run day! I was looking forward to running but I knew it would be tough since I hadn't run all week due to my mission trip in Destin. Well...I ran one mile on Friday but I knew that wouldn't help with my endurance. Tough? Boy was it tough! I had to come up with some strategies during the run to keep me going! I had to get TOUGHER!

I knew as soon as I started running that this run would be tough. It had been almost a week since I had last run. The heat didn't help. And the humidity seemed to be stronger than ever. The first two miles went ok. And then I started getting pretty tired. And the voices started talking. You know those voices...the ones that say..."Just quit. You're not training for anything right now anyway. Stop and walk. 2 miles is good enough. No one will ever know you didn't run the whole way." And then the arguing began in my mind..."I don't want to quit. But this is so hard. How in the world did I ever run a full marathon? I'm not sure I like this running thing anymore. Why do my legs feel so heavy? I will NOT give up. But walking would be so much easier."

I knew then that I needed to shut my mind off. I didn't need to think about the doubts and how hard this run was. So I came up with a few strategies to help me pass the time...and miles.

• Set mini goals. I would tell myself to run to the next lightpole. Once I reached that lightpole I would pick a different object to make it to...like a mailbox. Or the house with the red door. Even though I never stopped running breaking it up into mini goals helped.
• Pray. Talking to God always helps the time pass by when I am running. And it's usually some of my best conversations with Him.
• Enjoy the scenery. I am bad about looking down at the road and not looking around me when I'm running. Focus on nature and God's creation and how beautiful this world is that we live in. Who knows...you may even see an animal or two. I've seen several foxes and bunny rabbits on my runs.
• Plan your next meal. Hey it's no secret that I run to eat lol! Why not be productive while you're running and plan out your next meal or next week's meals? I guarantee you won't be thinking about the run...you'll be thinking about food!
• This one takes some advance preparation...listen to an audio book while you run. There's nothing like taking your mind off something then reading an awesome book! I'm going to try this one next time!

So did I give in to those voices and quit? Or did my strategies work and I finished the run? You know me...I did NOT quit! I finished! And I was soooo happy to be done!!!! ;-)

QOTD: How do you deal when the run is tough?