8 Miles of Misery

I try not to complain about things I love like running, or my husband too often, but even in the happiest of relationships, there are times when you feel less than loving. Running and I had a pretty major fight yesterday. My normal pre - tempo run anxiety had risen to astronomic levels. I had every excuse in the book going through my head before my shoes were even on "I feel sick, one run won't make a difference, I'm tired, I'll just do 5 miles, ok I'll do 8 miles but I'm not making them fast miles, etc etc whine whine more whining". I tried to focus on how great last week's tempo run was but my brain wasn't having any of my attempts at positive thoughts.

But, I knew nothing was really wrong with me so I forced my lazy self outside. The worst part was it was a completely beautiful day and I was totally not enjoying it. There is no other way to describe this run than the title: 8 miles of misery. My legs felt completely sluggish and I could barely even keep up 10:15, so I was a little confused as to how I would be attempting closer to 8:30 for the next 6 miles. Well, here's the times.

8:42
8:52
8:58
9:27
9:15
8:55

Let me just note that this was the exact same route that I did last week where my slowest mile was 8:45. Even though in my opinion these times are pitiful, I honestly felt like I was pushing myself so much harder than last week. This was a rare run where I don't think I enjoyed even a single second of it. But, what am I going to do if I feel tired or whatever during the marathon, just stop? I'll have to push through then, so I considered this run practice for when that time comes. Even though this run was so slow I felt great about forcing myself to finish it even though I constantly wanted to stop.

Only one more 8 mile tempo run, and I could not be happier. This is the hardest part of training by far.

I think this run was a clue that my legs need a break, so that's what I am doing today. I figured out that from last Saturday until today I have ran 50 miles!!!!

I'm sure I've never done that in a week before. 

Sunday, I am running my first relay race, the GW Marathon Relay. I love racing so I am hoping this will be where me and running kiss and make up.