In other words...
The weathermen who were predicting 9 inches of snow? They were wrong. Yes, we got snow, but no where near 9 inches. Maybe 5 inches. It's hard to tell though because there was a ton of blowing and drifting. I'm OK with the snow we got though. It looks pretty and I don't have to shovel (that's what my landlord's for...wait, he doesn't plow it either, just lets it sit).
So it snowed. And while the roads were kind of cruddy (apparently my city snow plow crews don't believe in plowing either), I still headed over to the YMCA after work since it's a block from my office.
I snagged a treadmill, tuned the TV to the Wisconsin v. Illinois game and started to run, finished 4.25 miles. I did a little bit of speed work tonight. Pushed myself. Actually got to the point where I felt like I was working hard and it was a bit uncomfortable. But a good uncomfortable. And that made me realize that that's something I don't do enough of. Instead of running at a comfortable pace, I need to push myself and make it hurt. Because that's the only way I'm going to get better.
No, I didn't come to that conclusion tonight. It's been rattling around in my head for a few weeks. Years actually. In fact it's always been something I've known - whether it's running or tennis or triathlon or playing the piano, I know getting better means I have to put in the work. Tonight I just came to that realization that it applies to running to. And I shouldn't be scared to push myself or increase the speed into the 6.7mph (about a 9 minute mile) range on the treadmill.
And on those days when it does hurt? I just have to remember those words that are plastered to the top of my blog:
"Me and running don't always see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others. But it doesn't mean I don't do it. I deal with it and I keep running because not everything that is good for you always feels good for you."
~Lance Armstrong
~Lance Armstrong
8 comments:
funny, b/c I'm brand new to your blog (just now!)and what caught my eye was your Lance quote. So perfect that you're reflecting on it now in this post.
thanks for the reminder!;-)
I love that Lance quote.
What a nice post to read as I'm trying to get my butt out of the house for a tempo run (where I'll be uncomfortable for 3 miles, sigh). Thanks! Did you watch the encouraging part of the Badgers game or the sad 2nd half? :(
That's a good way of looking at it.
Good for you pushing yourself a bit on the treadmill. I try to run "uncomfortable" at least twice a week.
I love that quote from Lance. I hate when people or even the county doesn't plow -awful :(
I totally realized the same thing during my run with a group a few weeks ago. They kept speeding up and my inital thought was oh I should slow down what if I can't do this, I mean it was hard...but then I realized fear of the discomfort was keeping me from becoming a better runner.
yeah today we're getting a snow storm and everyone is going home early but i'm betting it doesn't accumulate. we're all daisies (my new word for "pansies") over here. heheh.
way to push yourself. that's one of the hard things to do-- why it is nice to have a running buddy or a coach. but running is so often a solo sport and we have to rely on ourselves. way to hurt so good :)
I've totally slacked on running this week. I blame the snow, cause it certainly felt like *I* got 10" of the white stuff. All that wind blew it from my neighbors driveway into mine. I swear I shoveled 3 times and they didn't have to ONCE.
No, I'm not bitter. But I do have a date with the treadmill tomorrow & am gonna push myself to do 3 miles. I"ve been flirting with the distance for too long. JUST DO IT! :)
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