On Saturday afternoon, after getting the refrigerator working again and half fixing a half-broken washing machine, I finally got out for a run. The temperatures were in the low 40’s but the 20 to 40 mph winds were making it feel much, much colder. Over the course of 8 miles I felt like I was running into the wind almost the whole time, which was quite a feat considering I was running an out & back route.
My plan was that I really didn’t have one. A few weeks ago I decided that I was simply going to run miles when I could before beginning a 12-week program for Sugarloaf. This past Monday was the beginning of that program.
As I started my run, I thought of Sugarloaf and what it would take to re-qualify for Boston.
A sub-3:15 marathon – sub-7:25 per mile pace…for 26.2 miles. I haven’t run that pace consistently in so long…how the hell am I going to do this…
As I ran past 1 mile, I looked down at my watch – hmmm…7:34 – that’s not so bad – I kept moving at a pace that felt comfortable, focusing on my form, not really paying attention to pace. I looked at my watch as I passed mile 2 – 7:30.
I decided to have some fun and push the pace a little, just to see what I had in my legs.
Miles 3 and 4 went by in a snappy 7:18 and 7:29. Somewhere before reaching the turn around I started to tire. As good as it felt to be running sub-7:30’s, I didn’t feel particularly strong. I thought about the fact that at Sugarloaf, I would have to run faster than this for over 6 times the distance.
I began to reevaluate the very idea of attempting a BQ and a 5-minute PR in May. Was I crazy? Was I fooling myself? At this point I just wanted to jog it back home at a slow pace and mope.
For no apparent reason I decided to push the pace for 2 more miles. I wasn’t sure what I had in me, but I figured let’s just run this one out.
I looked at my watch at mile 5 – 7:16. My fastest mile of the day. Mile 6 came even faster at 7:06. At this point however, I felt spent. I was happy I was able to close strong, but a bit disheartened that I felt so tired.
2 miles from home, it was time to jog it in. I covered the next 1/2 mile at 8:30 pace – a comfortable pace for me. I started to relax and felt my breath coming back to me.
My mind drifted. I let my body just roll along. My watch beeped at the next 1/2 mile interval – 3:37.
3:37? That’s 7:14 pace!
I went with it – trying not to exert too much, just letting gravity and momentum do their job – next 1/2 mile? 3:32 (7:04 pace).
As I made the final turns for home I felt a burst of energy run through me and decided I needed to finish this run strong (despite the fact that the last 1/2 mile is uphill).
I covered the last 1/2 mile at 6:58 pace and felt great – spent, but great.
Suddenly Sugarloaf didn’t feel so daunting anymore. Suddenly I remembered that I just might have it in me to hit my BQ, despite the fact that I will need a nearly 5-minute PR. Suddenly, the spark was back.
Now all I needed was a plan…
Run Luau Run 
Good luck, Luau!! Nothing like a little head wind to spark up a little bit of determiation!!
Thanks Paula!
I have been reading Jack Daniels PhD Running Formula and there was a sentence I came by that really made sense. He said when you’re running along and you’re legs are feeling a bit tired or heavy, try SPEEDING UP instead of slowing down. Why not?! It sounds like you did that on your 8miler and it worked! Great going Luau. I see that BQ in your near future.
Thanks Joanne – it was definitely an intriguing run!
Joanne, funny. I do that all the time. Especially on the treadmill. It’s kind of become one of my “mantra’s” I tell myself over an over… “if you’re tired or sore or gasping for air – PUSH HARDER!”
You can do it. Want me to run you in?
well, it seems only fair!
I have a plan for you. Do exactly what you just did on that run in ever increasing mileage. Relax. Listen to your body and just let it go. Just run.
Do you think slowing down for a bit every few miles or so to catch your breath can help you achieve you PR? I do. While I’m not a fast runner I find that taking mini breaks either walking or slowing the pace I end up with a much better pace than if I just tried to keep a fast pace all along. I always feel a surge to keep going when I allow myself little rest periods and over the past year Ive seen overall improvement in my running.