I'm not sure why, but 10 miles seems to be where it becomes a real mental game for me. I was already nervous about the run last night. That's not a good sign.
But I broke it down logically. It's simple really. All I need is a good night's sleep, appropriate fuel, some fast tempo music, and a charged up Garmin. Eat appropriately, dress appropriately, & show up at the meeting spot on time. Find an easy/sustainable pace. Run for 5 miles. Turn around. And run back. Believe in yourself. Believe in your training.
The sleep was good (not great, but good enough). My ipod was charged. My Garmin was charged. I figured out what to wear. Had time to eat. Got there on time. Running partner was there already. We decided to head out early, assuming some of the others would catch up with us anyway. And so we were off.
It helped that he was a bit tired and didn't feel like pushing the pace at all. It helped that we had stories to tell that kept our minds occupied most of the way. It helped that the weather was quite pleasant actually.
I kept waiting for the point in the run where it begins to suck. That point never came. We stayed fairly steady the whole way. Picked up the pace just a bit at the end and finished strong. Overall pace was 10:47, final mile was 10:24.
Next week the schedule calls for twelve. You know what? I think I can do this.
Nice job and great pace.
ReplyDeleteOf course you can do this! You have the game plan down and you've been training smart!
ReplyDeleteWay to go on the ten. What an accomplishment not to hit that 'wall'!
Yes you can!! Great job! I'm working my way back to 10 after being a huge slacker this winter. I will be so happy when I'm there! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like a great run! YOU CAN DO THIS! WahoO!
ReplyDeleteyes you CAN !!! great job
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I am doing a 10-mile out and back tomorrow! 10 miles is actually the perfect long-distance for me. I'm dreading when I get into full-on marathon training and start hitting 20 miles!! Haha
ReplyDeleteGreat job! The dozen next week will be cake and the race will be the icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo Lisa!! Way to bust out ten miles:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome job!
ReplyDeleteI had that same mental block summer of last year, but I don't have it now that I'm not following a training plan. Weird, but I like it :)
Woohoo!! Way to go!
ReplyDeletenice pace! way not overthink it and just go with the flow.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful! The miles go by easier when you have a good running partner. :) Way to go on that pace, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how the mind games can mess with running. I'm glad you got past that!
sounds like a "zen like" moment...glad U were able to get out and enjoy that rain and never have that "moment'!
ReplyDeleteGreat break-up of all the steps you need to take to be successful. You can use this list as race preparation (you will probably just need to add one or two extra things, e.g. going to the loo LOL). Well done and I'm sure you'll smash the 12 just the same.
ReplyDeleteNice job!
ReplyDeleteLong runs like this are so important, not just because of the physical endurance, but because they build confidence. Now you know you can 12 next week because you did 10 so easily this week.
way to go on the 10! i have been thinking lately that it is my ideal distance for a nice training run :) you will own the 12 next week!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I'll be doing 8 miles this coming week. I am so looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the 10 miler. I am sure you will have no problem with the 12 miler. Just keep doin what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteYou can TOTALLY do this!! I am so proud of you :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, keep up the positive thinking. Well done on the 10-miler!
ReplyDeletehaha! yea, you got this :-)
ReplyDeleteAnything double digits is always impressive
ReplyDeleteI KNOW you can do 12!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! You can do this!! I am right there with you at the same number.
ReplyDeleteYay, Lisa! Way to go! You've got the 12 in the bag ;-)
ReplyDeleteWELL DONE!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else! Trust your training, you CAN and you WILL!
ReplyDelete