Total Miles: 19 miles*
Long Run: 11 miles
This week was odd. It was a holiday weekend and we went camping at Current River with some friends, so the running schedule was shifted. Technically, I only ran 8 miles last week. But if you add the long run I did on Monday to the mix, it was 19 miles. So... um, yeah.
I usually put a few notes about my run when I sync my watch, but this week I only put one note, and that was on Wednesday's 3 mile run. It says: Stupid, darn ouchie side stitch. That run was awesome until the last half mile. I was running along at a PR pace when out of nowhere I felt a sharp pain high up on my right side. I tried to push through, but it eventually got the best of me. I had to stop running for a minute or so to get the pain to subside. I eventually finished out the last bit of the run, but I won't lie, I felt pretty defeated. It's not that I care how fast I was going or anything. It was just the fact that I stopped. Although I truly feel I had a valid reason to do so, it still frustrated me that I just couldn't push through.
So, Wednesday was the last time I ran before going out of town for the camping trip. I had told Leah and Jaime that Tim and I were going to just run on Monday because the temperature was suppose to drop dramatically by then and we thought that would be better running conditions. I was thrilled when I heard that they decided to wait, too! Again, it's not that I don't enjoy running with Tim, but I just find the time flies by when running with them. Since there are 3 of us, someone can usually be talking, and the talking is a great distraction! Seriously, I know I have said this before, but I love you guys for letting me run with ya!
Monday morning Tim and I headed on over to Leah's house bright and early. Wait, rephrase: dim and early! It's so dark in the mornings now! So dark that Tim has bought a headlamp light to wear when we run during the week! Anyway, the temperature was great- chilly even! Good for running, but we were all a little chilled before we got started. We intended to just run 10 miles, but ended up being so close to 11 at the end, that we just went for it. No lie, it felt pretty awesome to just say, "Eh, we're close to 11 miles, let's just do it!" Seriously, this time last year, heck, less than 6 months ago, I would have laughed at you if you told me I would be willing (and able!) to run 11 miles!
Every week just feels like a new accomplishment. I feel like I just did something impossible. I know to some folks, running 11 miles is nothing, but to me, it means so much. It's me running away from the fat girl I once was. It's shaking off some (not all--yet) of the insecurities I have about my body and self. It's reminding myself that I am strong and that if I can push through one more mile, I can push through anything. Sure, some runs are going to hurt. My legs may ache after the long ones, but I am doing it! Every time I decide run, I am making the decision to do something good for myself... and that isn't something I have always been able to do.
I've had some folks comment on how much they enjoy reading my blog. Thanks! It's awesome to have people supporting me through this journey! I appreciate the well wishes very much!
Quotes & Inspiration
"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T", but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper 'can'. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." Author Unknown
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