Running in Beauty

new realizations

I typed the previous entry about a half-hour before I left to do my jog. I hadn't run in 5-6 days and the last run I did was the most I had ever done non-stop at 6.3 miles. Therefore, I can say now that I wasn't happy about running and having the possibility of taking two-steps back after my last run. I didn't want to face possibly only mustering 3.5 miles when I knew that a week prior I was running more than that no sweat.

Well, I ran last night.
I completed about 5.2 miles with only 2-30 sec or so stops. I can say that I am proud of myself because over the summer, I struggled to try to get to at least 3.5 miles during a jogging session. Now I am doing that and more with a lot more relative ease. It was enough to get me out of my rut. *smiles all around*

I usually have this little ritual of eating yellow apple wedges with a whole-wheat bagel and some peanut butter before I try attempting long-runs. I never used to take pre-running nutrition seriously until I saw it re-iterated in a women's running book I bought last year and my new subscription to Runner's World. They were right because I never end my runs with exhaustion or fatigue. Sure, I'm a bit sore and winded but if I wanted to--I could probably muster another mile if I really tried.

I used to be the ultra stubborn girl when it came to finishing out whatever distance I had in mind before I started running. Even if I was wincing through my last miles, I had to be sure to run that 4 or 5 miler. That is--until I injured myself last September. I wasn't able to run for 3 months and then eventually fell out of running. I felt less of a person because running was something that I was proud to tell people that I did. It made me feel like more of an athlete than just some nerdy girl.

I am careful this time around because I don't want to risk another injury and be side-lined for months while gaining weight and feeling bad about myself. I am gradually working myself out of that state and I am very proud of myself for that.

Some gals have their shopping.
Others have their girls nights out.
Still others have their ritual manicure and pedicure sessions.
All of those things to combat frustration or just to vent.

Me--I enjoy running.
I like feeling that connection with myself in the now.
It's a wonderful feeling to hear the pit-pat of my shoes hitting asphalt or dirt and trying to keep my breathing at a certain rhythm. The best part is pushing myself to do those sprinting intervals and knowing that with each interval my body is getting stronger and stronger.
I'm tired of being the fat girl I am right now.
It's not fun.

But hell, this fat girl is now running 10k distances and I'm darn proud of that. I had never accomplished that feat ever before in my life. It kind of feels like having gold stars next to my name back in elementary. It's a childish giddy type of feeling.
I love it. I crave it. I am that feeling.

So anyway, I am planning on running a 10-mile race on Dec. 3 at Tempe Town Lake. I am trying to get a couple gals to run with me as I know some are training for the PF Chang's Marathon and 1/2 marathon. Hopefully it pans out but regardless I will be there. I plan on running a 5k in another 2 weekends too--just to get back in racing mode.

The last 5k I did was one was year and it was my first one.
I ran that puppy in just abou 29:58 or so and I wasn't even training hard then!

etched in stone by carmen @ 11:52 AM