Really Running with Joy
per-se-vere
verb
1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
intr.v.
1. To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.
The thought of quitting running didn't cross my mind, but David suggested it after I bitched about the 10-miler race and how s-l-o-w I am for a bit too long. He didn't say I should quit; he just asked, "Why don't you quit?"
Wednesday, 11/14 - Tempo run. I had Elijah with me, and Elijah had his bike. We started early with Sarah, Yvette, Starr, JoEllen, and others. We did our mile warmup and then debated on whether to do drills or just get started with Tempo. It was rather windy as the beginning of a small front was blowing in. Dust swirled, settled in our eyes, and tickled our noses. I really do need to invent that face shield for running.
We ended up splitting up with some doing drills and others running. Yvette, Sarah and I started off with Elijah. I did not plan to look at my watch and wanted to run how I felt, especially after the horrid 10-miler the previous Sunday. Elijah got something in his eye in the first 50 meters, but he dealt with it. I felt fine and thought we might actually be going around a 10 minute pace.
I pushed my lap button at the mile turn around without looking at the time. We all three picked up the pace and Yvette was about 30-60 seconds ahead of us. Sarah was either next to me or a few steps behind me. I kept telling Elijah I was going to catch him to motivate us both. I didn't really start hurting until the last quarter, which is a nice change from other Tempos. I finished with a time of 20.08, which was a slight disappointment. My first mile was 10.33 and the second was 9.34. Well, the first mile was too slow according to watches and prior tempo runs, but it must be fine according to "running how I feel."
Saturday's long run was to be 12 miles, and I was dreading it a little after the race. We were going to do many of the same hills, just backwards (or forwards since the race was "backwards"). The course was Runtex to LAB to Scenic. Scenic to Pecos, Pecos to 35th, 35th to Exposition. Down Exposition back to LAB, and then back to Runtex for 11.5 miles. Maybe somewhere, we'd add on another 1/2 mile.
I packed a migraine pill b/c I could feel it coming. I had battled migraines Thursday and Friday already. I generally win before there is any real damage though. I'm glad I packed it b/c I took that pill at the Mopac water 2 miles in to the run.
I'm so happy to have run this long run. I can't express how elated I was to feel good and enjoy the run. I wanted to run faster than our usual long run pace. Elizabeth and Leslie were out front of us. Barb, Gayatri and myself were about 100 meters behind them. When we hit the hills, I separated and ran in between - still about 100 meters behind Elizabeth but in front of Gayatri and Barb. I just felt strong despite the hills. It felt good to run my old long run pace (which really isn't that much faster).
I did get some shooting pains in my temple on a couple of hills, so I walked those and focused on breathing. As we turned on Pecos, Barb and Gayatri hollered at me to wait so they wouldn't get lost. We ran to the blessed water hose at the dry cleaner's on 35th and Pecos. Elizabeth and Leslie must have been there and gone. Wow, they are fast. We finish up there with goos and water, and as we are leaving, we see Elizabeth and Leslie run up from Pecos. They had turned the wrong way, but on the bright side, they got their extra 1/2 mile in.
We all set out together again but quickly separate back into our 2-1-2 formation. It's been a long time since I've run "alone" for long runs, and it was pleasant to get lost in thought and not use up energy talking. Maybe that's why I was able to move it a little quicker than usual.
On Expo, I hear fast feet approaching, and Gilbert sings out "Hoo, hoo, hoooo!" as he runs by and pats me on the back. I manage a quiet, "Iyo Ngwe," (pronounced "yoong way" for those non-gazelles). I am so surprised by the energy I still have as I run up the incline toward the O'Henry water stop.
I see a group of Gazelle men running, and Noel, Tony, and others are in the group. I said hello. Noel asks, "You running 12?" to which I reply, "Yes." He gives me a "good job" and they are out of voice range. After the run, I see Noel who tells me I looked much better on this long run than I did at the race. Hearing that was really music to my ears and confirmed that I had a horrid race.
Barb and Gayatri aren't far behind so we have a minute at the water stop as a five-some. Elizabeth and Leslie take off and I want to go, too. I get "the nod" from Gayatri, and I'm off. I stay behind them just because I'm enjoying running alone. I stop at the Mopac water and plan to wait for my girls, but my legs start tightening. I waited for maybe 15-30 seconds before I just go ahead and continue. I debate in my head when to add that half-mile in. I spend too much time thinking about it and end up not doing it, lol.
It felt good to finish and I had more energy, but I didn't have enough motivation to turn back around and add on another half-mile. I saw dv run by as I was getting water, and I was actually amazed that I beat him back. He still had 1 more mile of his 20 to do, and he looked strong.
This run washes clean the running slate for me. I felt strong and happy. I don't need to see another hill any time soon though. ;) After Saturday's run, I opened myself back up to running 3M.
verb
1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
intr.v.
1. To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.
The thought of quitting running didn't cross my mind, but David suggested it after I bitched about the 10-miler race and how s-l-o-w I am for a bit too long. He didn't say I should quit; he just asked, "Why don't you quit?"
Wednesday, 11/14 - Tempo run. I had Elijah with me, and Elijah had his bike. We started early with Sarah, Yvette, Starr, JoEllen, and others. We did our mile warmup and then debated on whether to do drills or just get started with Tempo. It was rather windy as the beginning of a small front was blowing in. Dust swirled, settled in our eyes, and tickled our noses. I really do need to invent that face shield for running.
We ended up splitting up with some doing drills and others running. Yvette, Sarah and I started off with Elijah. I did not plan to look at my watch and wanted to run how I felt, especially after the horrid 10-miler the previous Sunday. Elijah got something in his eye in the first 50 meters, but he dealt with it. I felt fine and thought we might actually be going around a 10 minute pace.
I pushed my lap button at the mile turn around without looking at the time. We all three picked up the pace and Yvette was about 30-60 seconds ahead of us. Sarah was either next to me or a few steps behind me. I kept telling Elijah I was going to catch him to motivate us both. I didn't really start hurting until the last quarter, which is a nice change from other Tempos. I finished with a time of 20.08, which was a slight disappointment. My first mile was 10.33 and the second was 9.34. Well, the first mile was too slow according to watches and prior tempo runs, but it must be fine according to "running how I feel."
Saturday's long run was to be 12 miles, and I was dreading it a little after the race. We were going to do many of the same hills, just backwards (or forwards since the race was "backwards"). The course was Runtex to LAB to Scenic. Scenic to Pecos, Pecos to 35th, 35th to Exposition. Down Exposition back to LAB, and then back to Runtex for 11.5 miles. Maybe somewhere, we'd add on another 1/2 mile.
I packed a migraine pill b/c I could feel it coming. I had battled migraines Thursday and Friday already. I generally win before there is any real damage though. I'm glad I packed it b/c I took that pill at the Mopac water 2 miles in to the run.
I'm so happy to have run this long run. I can't express how elated I was to feel good and enjoy the run. I wanted to run faster than our usual long run pace. Elizabeth and Leslie were out front of us. Barb, Gayatri and myself were about 100 meters behind them. When we hit the hills, I separated and ran in between - still about 100 meters behind Elizabeth but in front of Gayatri and Barb. I just felt strong despite the hills. It felt good to run my old long run pace (which really isn't that much faster).
I did get some shooting pains in my temple on a couple of hills, so I walked those and focused on breathing. As we turned on Pecos, Barb and Gayatri hollered at me to wait so they wouldn't get lost. We ran to the blessed water hose at the dry cleaner's on 35th and Pecos. Elizabeth and Leslie must have been there and gone. Wow, they are fast. We finish up there with goos and water, and as we are leaving, we see Elizabeth and Leslie run up from Pecos. They had turned the wrong way, but on the bright side, they got their extra 1/2 mile in.
We all set out together again but quickly separate back into our 2-1-2 formation. It's been a long time since I've run "alone" for long runs, and it was pleasant to get lost in thought and not use up energy talking. Maybe that's why I was able to move it a little quicker than usual.
On Expo, I hear fast feet approaching, and Gilbert sings out "Hoo, hoo, hoooo!" as he runs by and pats me on the back. I manage a quiet, "Iyo Ngwe," (pronounced "yoong way" for those non-gazelles). I am so surprised by the energy I still have as I run up the incline toward the O'Henry water stop.
I see a group of Gazelle men running, and Noel, Tony, and others are in the group. I said hello. Noel asks, "You running 12?" to which I reply, "Yes." He gives me a "good job" and they are out of voice range. After the run, I see Noel who tells me I looked much better on this long run than I did at the race. Hearing that was really music to my ears and confirmed that I had a horrid race.
Barb and Gayatri aren't far behind so we have a minute at the water stop as a five-some. Elizabeth and Leslie take off and I want to go, too. I get "the nod" from Gayatri, and I'm off. I stay behind them just because I'm enjoying running alone. I stop at the Mopac water and plan to wait for my girls, but my legs start tightening. I waited for maybe 15-30 seconds before I just go ahead and continue. I debate in my head when to add that half-mile in. I spend too much time thinking about it and end up not doing it, lol.
It felt good to finish and I had more energy, but I didn't have enough motivation to turn back around and add on another half-mile. I saw dv run by as I was getting water, and I was actually amazed that I beat him back. He still had 1 more mile of his 20 to do, and he looked strong.
This run washes clean the running slate for me. I felt strong and happy. I don't need to see another hill any time soon though. ;) After Saturday's run, I opened myself back up to running 3M.
Labels: Running
posted by Jessica at
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