Day 52 - Mind Over Body

My body is ready for this run.  I posted my longest long run a couple days ago and miraculously felt amazing.  Husband and I also took some time to go drive the half marathon course which also made me feel better about the daunting 13.1 miles we have approaching in just over two weeks.  While it won't be a walk in the park, knowing what lies in front of me is more comforting than the unknown.

I also received some exciting news about the half marathon and other Borgess run events.  Girls on the Run is doing a cheer section around mile 7 which is also up a hill...what great motivation!  In addition, a local band which I LOVE is playing on the course, in a spot we'll pass by TWICE during the run - score!

So, things are looking up.  On Monday I attempted to run on the treadmill after work.  It has been ridiculously windy around here for quite some time and there was no way I was going outside.  This "run", if you can even call it that, resulted in 2.5 miles of running and walking - my body was beat.  Over time I have discovered there is a significant difference in how I run (and feel) in the morning verses the end of the day.  My body is too exhausted to perform after being at work all day long.

Last night I decide I'll get up today for 5 miles outside.  I tried to convince Husband to come with me but he had other training in mind.  When my alarm went off I recognized how cold it was and my phone confirmed 35 degrees....brrrrrr!  Here's some of the dialogue I had with myself:

It's chilly, I'll stay in bed.
I'm already awake, I might as well get up.
I can just run 4 miles instead of 5.
You said you were going to run 5, it's only 5 miles.
Get your butt out of bed and go run!

If you run, or do any other type of activity that you have to motivate yourself for, you've had similar conversations with yourself.  I've heard it before but believe that the hardest move you have to make is the first one out of bed.  After that getting ready is easy!  I bundled up and hit the pavement.

I'm not sure if the darkness made me run faster or, like I said, my body is just READY for this run.  For five miles I held an average pace of 9:19/mile and my fastest mile was my last one at 8:57!  My hopes are getting up for actually beating my previous half time but I know I'll have to tell myself to have a good run and listen to my body.  I may get a shorter run in on Friday morning and then Saturday is out for 9 - "only 9."  I can't believe I'm to a point where 9 miles seems like it's nothing...

Day 52 - number of vehicles that almost hit me, 1 lady but she probably didn't see me at all

Day 52 - number of vehicles that got the wave, 0 - not too many people out and about at 5:30 in the morning!