In the summer of 2001, I took a weekend trip to Bay St. Louis, MS. This was a common trip because my parents owned a house on the Jourdan River. We went there often in the summertime to waterski, swim, and basically, chill out. On this special weekend, I brought 5 of my friends from highschool - one being an avid crosscountry runner. I was a swimmer at the time, and I felt like I could swim forever without stopping, but could not, for any reason, run for more than 5 minutes. I envied her for the fact that she could run and run and run. While we were at my camp, she decided to go for a run. Without thinking twice, I joined her. When she began to jog, I began to RUN. Meaning, I just went as fast as I could and began to pant and ache as she swiftly strolled behind me. She then explained to me that pace was the MOST important thing about running distance. To run slow, and swift, and rhythmic. I then followed her lead. We ran for 9 minutes non-stop! 9 MINUTES!!!! I was very enthusiastic about my newfound accomplishment! A few days later, after we returned home, I went running again. This time, I ran for 16 minutes! I almost doubled the amount of time!
This event occurred 7 years ago. I have been running off and on ever since. I have even worked my way up to running for 1 hour non-stop. About my sophomore year in college, my brother and his wife decided that they were going to run a marathon. They began to train together. They would go on these long saturday runs. I thought they were crazy. Why would anyone ever want to run that far? Well- I saw how devoted they were to this event. Even when they would come to visit us in Baton Rouge, they would wake up really early and run before the day would start. I respected this discipline and, over time, began to desire it for myself. For the next 5 years, I would go through these marathon training phases that would only last for about 6 weeks. I would find a training program on the internet and just go. Every time I did this, I would find around the 5th or 6th week that it was getting too difficult - with school and boyfriend and everything else - to finish.
This time - I'm going to finish. I love to run. The mere 4 miles that I have run a few times a week for the past 5 years has really made such a difference in my well-being. And now, I feel like it is the perfect time and place in my life to achieve this. So, you will see me at the finish line in Honolulu on Sunday, December 14th.
I am going to track my progress on this blog. My goal is to post each week after my long saturday run to re-cap the week of running. This past week was my 1st week of maintenance runs. Yesterday was my first day of group training.
I am training with The National AIDS Marathon Training Program. We meet on Saturday mornings at 7 am. Yesterday, we determined our pace groups. I thought I was going to be between a 10 and 11-minute/mile pace. Before the run, I befriended a girl named Lavinia, who also thought she was between a 10 and 11-minute pace. She and I ran together for the 3-mile timed run. It was perfect because we were able to talk the whole time to be sure to keep from pushing ourselves too hard. Then, we finished at 31 minutes. We were both placed in the 11-minute pace group.
The run felt great. I felt like I could have kept going when it was over. Every week, I hope that I have this feeling when the run is over.
This coming week, I plan to do 3 days of yoga (M-W-F), run my 45/60-minute maintenance runs (T-TH), and run the 4-mile group distance run on Saturday.
wish me luck this week!
-Sarah.
Blog Archive
6 comments:
I enjoy the new blog, Sarah!
That's odd that your maintenance runs this week are longer than your weekend distant run...usually it is the other way around (however the training program that you're in is great...I've had friends do it with much success)...plus it is wonderful the money you can raise for such a good cause.
Keep up the good work, and I look forward to following your progress!
well. it's just that i've been running. and i've already worked my way up to where i run 4 miles as an average run. and i don't wanna lower my mileage during the week just because of the distance run saturday (obviously, the distance run saturday will not be a distance run for me). but, in a few weeks, the distance run will get much longer.
oh yea, and thanks tim! i may be hittin u up for some running advice as things get tougher. i have no idea what to expect to happen once i really start doing some tough training. ive had shin splints and stress fractures in the past when i've run just too often... and im hoping and praying that doesnt happen this time.
Something I hope to do one day soon, too! I was a big CC/track distance runner in HS and just quit it all and have missed the runner's high ever since.
Upon my return to the states I'd like to find one and get into it!
awesome justin! If Honolulu goes well, I plan to run the LA Marathon in March as well. maaaaaybe, we could do some training together once you get back (if you come back to LA before then).
march 2010, how about that?
right now I'll probably roll back in town fall '09ish, Lord willing!
Post a Comment