Double-Digit Dumps

Well, as well as my run went on Tuesday, I'm rather disappointed with how I did today.  On Tuesday, I ran 3 miles in 32 minutes, another personal best, and had lots of neighbors watching me do laps on our streets.  I couldn't figure out why so many people were outside, then I realized, "Duh, it's National Night Out."  I probably ran faster because I felt like everyone was rating my running.  I skipped my training on Wednesday due to a late night at church and other varied excuses.  On Thursday, I was a little sore from the run on Tuesday (probably because I pushed too hard for the onlookers), but I did okay.  Today, however, was a different story.

I got up and out the door before 7, and got to my in-laws' house by 7:30.  I walked to warm up and stretched a little before I took off.  By the time I had completed mile 4 (in about an hour), I felt like I was doing a pretty good pace.  By mile 7, though, I was starting to get hungry.  I used one of my energy gels, but I guess it just wasn't enough.  When I get back to the road that has a church with a clock on it (mile 8 1/2 point), I got discouraged because I didn't think I'd have enough time, so I started kicking myself (in my mind, not with feet) for taking too long and walking too much.  So, my pace slowed down, and then about 1,000 feet from my in-laws' house I realized I was actually okay.  My "drop dead time" (per Disney Marathon standards of a 16-minute mile) was 2 hrs 40 min.  I cut myself off too soon!  I actually had another fifteen minutes to go when I got discouraged, not ten, so I would have been okay.  So, all that to say that I finished in 2 hrs 39 min. :(

Lessons to use for next week's training:
- Don't speed up to impress the neighbors--you just end up more sore at the finish
- Don't skip your interval day, even if you want to
- Eat a big dinner Friday night so you have enough energy to do the long run on Saturday
- Make sure you KNOW your "drop dead time" so you don't quit too early.

This is also the first time I've done my jalk and I'm a little sore.  I guess it's to be expected when you get to the double-digit mileage.  I'm really hoping next week goes better.  At least Mom will be here to help distract the kids while I'm doing my 11 miles next Saturday!

Until next time...