I have had several things to "Hmmmm" about this week.
Even though I sometimes think I have seen and done it all, there's always a new revelation or tidbit of wisdom that gets revealed.
Here's five recent favorite things:
***The hill repeats on the 'mill. Holy crap, they were evil. I don't mind doing hill work on actual real-in-Life hills. Doing them on a 'mill was an entirely different ball game. There was no gentle breeze blowing through my hair and the recovery runs were on level "ground" instead of a downhill grade. I usually scoff at 'mill running because it's (typically) easier than outdoor running because the 'mill sort of propels you along. Not the case with the simulated hills....there is no altering your steps (stride length or speed) unless you want to risk face planting across the room. The 'mill humbled me (again)...reminding me that (ultimately) the 'mill is in control, not the 'mill user.
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| Whew! There was sweat everywhere...even on the control panel.... |
***The realization that
I may not be "respecting the distance." My recent
half marathon left me feeling pretty defeated until that light-bulb moment smacked me square between my eyes (figuratively). Even though I can (pretty easily) run 13.1 miles, I have not been respecting the fact that it is, indeed, 13.1 miles. Most vehicles will not make it that far without gas in the tank, after all. Runners are not any different.
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| Thankful for another 13.1 finish line |
***A
strong run can (almost) instantly propel you back after succumbing to a brief lull in your confidence. My negative-split run on Tuesday turned into more of a progression run.,.after a warm-up mile, my splits were 10:29, 10:11, 10:06, 9:48 and 9:33. Not bad considering miles 4 and 5 were into a head wind. Yes, I think I like running (again).
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| Feeling victorious after a great run |
***
Daily stretching and foam rolling has its benefits, even on rest/recovery days. Who'da thunk? My coach has me doing a slew of stretches, exercises, and foam-rolling...daily. And although my stubborn glutes/hammies/piriformis still get angry, I'm noticing less issues while I'm running. Crazy how this is all such common sense stuff, but yet I need someone telling me to do it in order for me to actually follow through.
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| Daily maintenance is necessary |
***Most of us get an
endorphin rush after a long run, but I'm starting to notice the traces of a runner's high following my speed work and/or tough training runs. The knowledge that I can actually (sometimes) do hard things if I just suck it up and not quit until it's finished....that's intoxicating! Even though I was cussing out loud on that %&$# indoor running-in-place torture device (sorry for what you had to listen to, Max), I felt like a badazz beast when I stepped off of the 'mill yesterday. And I don't think I stopped sweating for at least an hour AFTER my shower.
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I can do hard things
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So, there you have it. I've been doing this running gig for more than 11 years, and I'm still having "Aha Moments." Lucky for me....I embrace learning new things and not being stagnant in my fitness.
What's the latest lesson you've learned (or been reminded of)? Do you embrace change? Enjoy learning new things? Treadmill...yay or nay?
I'm linking up with the DC gals (
Courtney and
Mar and
Cynthia ) for the
Friday Five....I invite you to check out what everyone else is talking about!
I think it's fabulous that you are still having aha moments! this is the best way that we learn more about ourselves and what we are capable of!
ReplyDeletemy lessons are repeated often - I am constantly switching tactics based on what is going on with my body. I've been to many specialist now, because I want to KNOW... what am I doing wrong, what can be fixed and what is "just the way it is"? So when I can't run, I don't have to be down about it, I can instantly switch to cycling, and that gives me the boost that I need to carry on. I am definitely willing to learn, change and adapt so I hope I, too, will still have aha moments in the future!
The Aha Moments ought to be called "Duh Moments"....because what we learn from them is so basic, it's stuff we usually already know LOL
DeleteI hate doing hills. I can't even imagine doing them on the treadmill. Ouch! I am so bad a stretching and foam rolling daily.
ReplyDeleteI am NOT a treadmill person, at all. But, I wanted to try the hill workout on the 'mill to see how it compared to a "real" hill workout. It was crazy tough, but also not realistic (in my opinion) because on a real hill your body would be allowed to alter the strides and speed as you fight gravity. It certainly was equally mentally tough as it was physically.
DeleteRespecting the distance and what it does to your body yes! I've been meaning to ask you what that cute necklace is you are wearing at your race?
ReplyDeleteI got the necklace from a gal who had a business...Little Freckle Designs (not sure if she's still around or has changed her business name). I wear this necklace a lot!!
DeleteThankfully for me Old Faithful (aka the TM) no longer inclines & declines, so I can't do hill work on it. I guess that won't be a problem after this next half, the following 2 (if I get into the NOLA one) will be flat. Although hill work is always a good thing in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI really do respect the distance. Maybe it's because I've never done a full. I know my body, and I know that if I don't properly train for a half, I am injury prone and it won't be "fun" (aka painful, potentially dangerous).
Which is why I wasn't happy that I haven't been able to get my weekly mileage where I wanted it to be this summer.
I do know that I've done the minimum, and I'm pretty sure it won't be a problem. I'm also not quite sure where the sweet spot for my peak mileage is yet. Somewhere between 20-30 miles, but not quite sure where, or whether it just has to be a sliding scale due to life.
I do love learning things. We get old when we stop!
I don't mind hill work, but it is ridiculously tough on the treadmill. I totally felt like a slave with a harness.....
DeleteHah! This song is on my "treadmill tunes" playlist - so fun. Running can make you think about a lot of things. I definitely get a rush after speed work.
ReplyDeleteThis song always pops into my head when I have an Aha Moment, crazy!
Deleteawesome! we always learn something on this crazy running journey.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely...when we stop learning, we stop growing (and living).
DeleteI have totally had the "ah-ha" of foam rolling, it sure does make everything feel better... even in the first mile, where I had been neglected to foam roll felt pretty cruddy, now it feels good.
ReplyDeleteI see the benefits, though I still have to remind myself to do it....
DeleteI'm so impressed that you did treadmill hills! I'm definitely still learning. For this season, my running aha was the need to do well-rounded stretching and regular foam rolling.
ReplyDeleteThe treadmill hills were major tough....oh, so tough (mentally and physically). I don't do a lot of 'mill running, and when I do, I put the incline on 2 and just go. It was a big learning curve to be constantly adjusting the incline and speed. I'd rather just do the hills outside!
DeleteDaily stretching and rolling is key. I just recently figured that out. And totally respect the distance! It's humbling when you think about how far 13.1 really is...
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy how far that actually is LOL Even a "simple" 10-mile training run. I have it in my head it will be about 90 minutes of running without really thinking about how far that actually is
DeleteMaybe the runner's high is why I love speed work so much! I never thought about it, but yes! Was it as good for you? :p
ReplyDeleteehh...I could feel it, but not enough that I'm craving another one of those workouts any time soon
DeleteThis 'mill workout was the most I have sweated in a long time. My hair (in braids) was such a wet mess when I was finished...it looked like I had just gotten a bad perm and I could not even get my wet brush through it. There was not enough time to wash it, so I tried to blow dry it and just wound up "messy-bunning" it because I had to get back to work
ReplyDeleteI love the always learning aspect of running!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely!! ;-)
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