Slow Down

On Monday this week, I ran 8.6 miles with my sister-in-law Carol. That's my longest outdoor run to date. And it isn't much shorter than my longest treadmill run which is 9 miles. Today I ran about 7.5. For me, that's a pretty big accomplishment as I have been struggling with running outside. Until this week, it felt so hard. I'd find myself at mile three thinking about how badly I wanted to stop. Every step of the way thinking, saying, screaming "Stop, Stop, STOP!!!" At least in my mind. My lungs felt like they would burst. My legs would feel tired. I'd feel like the sun was so so terribly hot. And there were some times...a few too many of them, actually...where I gave into the voice and stopped and "walked it off." At least that was what I said to myself. Can anyone say excuses?

But on Monday? Totally different story. I didn't feel overly winded. My legs were loose. The temperature was perfect. The breeze was cool. When we came to the end, the worst I could say was that I felt a blister forming on the arch of my left foot and that my knees felt a bit tight. That was that. And actually, I had a pretty nice runner's high for the rest of the day.

Honestly, though? I thought it was a fluke. But then next two shorter runs on Wednesday and Thursday proved to be more of the same.

Surely, I thought, most certainly, Saturday would be different. Because on Saturday I'd run for ninety minutes. So certainly I'd be back to wishing I were dead and saying I couldn't finish and stopping thirty minutes in. Ah but for the grace of the running gods...turns out I was wrong again. Saturday came, I ran for ninety minutes this morning, and I felt fantastic. Stupendous. Energetic, even. I can't wait to get out on Monday!

And it's all because I slowed down a little. My pride says I have to go faster. My pride says I want a championship time...or at least what I define as champion, which isn't that fast, really, but for me. Well, it is for me. I'm running around a twelve minute mile. Nothing to write home about, BUT. But I'm enjoying it. Shouldn't that be the point?

And I'm even looking forward to it because it feels good. Imagine that! It's been a long time since I could say that running felt this good. Not since college, probably. Anyway, there is really something to be said for these endorphins. I think I like them! I've heard people say do what you like when it comes to exercise because then you'll stick with it, but honestly I didn't believe that. Isn't all exercise some form of torture? Seriously, I'm ready for the next run already. And it's still Saturday. Really. The run felt that good.

Maybe that is the lesson for my life. Stop thinking that I have to dictate the pace. Instead? Slow it down.