People often say that the hardest part of a run is the move to get out the door. I've read this in books, on blogs, and in cheeky articles in Runner's World. My non-runner friends have even said in an effort to be encouraging of my border-line neurotic hobby.
I don't agree, though. The hardest part isn't getting out the door. It's not the lacing up or the first stride, or anything in between. The hardest part is the push it takes to get past self-doubt when you hit the upper limit of your comfort-zone mileage and you know that you still have a few miles to go. You all know what I'm talking about. It's that moment in your run when you have to decide that you are going to run farther than you did last time, or perhaps farther than you ever have before. That territory is unknown. We all know what it feels like to get out the door. What's difficult about that? Testing yourself against a seemingly insurmountable distance (or time) is when things get really sweaty.
But just in case getting out the door really is a challenge for you...
Today's run:
Distance - 8 miles
Time - 1:04:00
Keith ran the first few miles with me. And then I knocked out the rest of it with a pained grimace, alone.
I just want to vent for a minute... I'm sick of running 8:00 miles. I run them all the time. I do speed work and sprint up hills and hit tempo runs. And I keep running 8:00 miles. I know that it's up to me and that if I want to run faster (or slower, for that matter), it's within my power to do it. But dammit! I want speed. I crave it. I think I want it so bad that I end up desperate and despairing and that sad mental state trips me up. I am stuck in the running doldrums. Anyone have advice for how to perk up?
After running, Keith and I went to see The Hobbit. Good movie! Keith pointed out that it wasn't true to the sentiment of the book. It was much more in the style of The Lord of the Rings than in the style of The Hobbit, and that was a little disappointing. The beginning of the movie does stay true to the spirit of the book, but then the tone of the storytelling takes a sharp turn and instead of relating delightful episodes of a long adventure, the movie instead rolls out epic scenes of violence and majesty. It's a visual delight, though, and the acting is great. I recommend it!
We closed out the afternoon with some coffee shop work time. I was maniacal in my commitment to getting through a set amount of Latin text. I made us stay at Starbucks until 7:30pm! (That's waaaay past my dinnertime.) I took one break to talk to my mom on the phone and to make a small purchase at Anthropologie:
I love these hobnail glass candle holders. Even better, there are candles in them too! They were 50%, so I finally bought them after contemplating the purchase for about a week and a half (I first saw them in NY last week). Check them out if you are interested.
Now I'm chilling out and stuffing my face.
Ain't no shame.
I don't agree, though. The hardest part isn't getting out the door. It's not the lacing up or the first stride, or anything in between. The hardest part is the push it takes to get past self-doubt when you hit the upper limit of your comfort-zone mileage and you know that you still have a few miles to go. You all know what I'm talking about. It's that moment in your run when you have to decide that you are going to run farther than you did last time, or perhaps farther than you ever have before. That territory is unknown. We all know what it feels like to get out the door. What's difficult about that? Testing yourself against a seemingly insurmountable distance (or time) is when things get really sweaty.
But just in case getting out the door really is a challenge for you...
Today's run:
Distance - 8 miles
Time - 1:04:00
Keith ran the first few miles with me. And then I knocked out the rest of it with a pained grimace, alone.
I just want to vent for a minute... I'm sick of running 8:00 miles. I run them all the time. I do speed work and sprint up hills and hit tempo runs. And I keep running 8:00 miles. I know that it's up to me and that if I want to run faster (or slower, for that matter), it's within my power to do it. But dammit! I want speed. I crave it. I think I want it so bad that I end up desperate and despairing and that sad mental state trips me up. I am stuck in the running doldrums. Anyone have advice for how to perk up?
After running, Keith and I went to see The Hobbit. Good movie! Keith pointed out that it wasn't true to the sentiment of the book. It was much more in the style of The Lord of the Rings than in the style of The Hobbit, and that was a little disappointing. The beginning of the movie does stay true to the spirit of the book, but then the tone of the storytelling takes a sharp turn and instead of relating delightful episodes of a long adventure, the movie instead rolls out epic scenes of violence and majesty. It's a visual delight, though, and the acting is great. I recommend it!
We closed out the afternoon with some coffee shop work time. I was maniacal in my commitment to getting through a set amount of Latin text. I made us stay at Starbucks until 7:30pm! (That's waaaay past my dinnertime.) I took one break to talk to my mom on the phone and to make a small purchase at Anthropologie:
Now I'm chilling out and stuffing my face.
Love the candles! Love Anthropologie! I feel your frustration with the 8 min miles, I feel the same way with 9:00!
ReplyDeleteThe candles smell really amazing too. And I'm excited about being able to keep the glass and put new little candles in them when I burn through all the wax. ...We need to run together! I know you aren't back in NJ yet, but I'm waaaaaiting!
DeleteI have been REALLY struggling with the push past your comfort zone. Completely agree with this.
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of this post when I run tomorrow!!
You can totally get over the hump! You are amazing!
DeleteBeing a runner is all about shedding your comfort zone; I don't think we are allowed to have a comfort zone. The whole concept of running is about being uncomfortable, physically and mentally, and all we can do is find ways to quell those feelings.
ReplyDeleteThat popcorn looks amaze-balls.
You're so right about the comfort zone thing. Maybe one of my problems is that I seek to be "comfortable" are certain paces. For example, I set my sights on 7:30, and I aim to be able to run 4 or 5 miles at that pace without reaching max heart rate. I don't think that's a bad goal--but it's probably a mistake to associate that with "comfort". Thanks for pointing this out. Good food for thought.
Delete