After my last 2 solo runs (and my vacation runs), I need to vent.
I don’t have any training mojo.
It’s not that I don’t run. I do. But not well.
I have to admit, I am the worst runner when I run by myself.
NOT ME!! I stop when I am tired.
I don’t want to have slow crappy runs, but I can’t seem to make myself run without stopping.
I mean I stop A LOT and my pace is around 12-13 min/mile. I may use “I want to take pictures” as an excuse but it is really that I can’t make my legs go anymore.
And I don’t do tempo runs or fartleks or hill repeats or intervals. I just shuffle along. (I have tried but I lack motivation.)
I just run to get it done.
Is it?
A mile at 8 min pace is the same as a mile at 13 min pace??
This would reinforce my lackluster training.
You and i know that it is NOT the same.
True!
But I think I am past that.
I run 3-4 times a week.
This weekend will be my 14th race this year.
I feel like I should be doing more.
Do you always?
I have some friends who hate me because when I am in a race, I run so much faster. Even if I haven’t trained, I still have a decent finish time.
I am surprised at my pace and my age group awards because I don’t deserve them.
My paces at races is now consistently in the 9’s even though I train in the 12’s.
Mom’s Day 5K – 28:13
Spring Run Off 10K – 1:00:51
Cherry Blossom 5k – 27:51
It’s not that I am blazing fast and there are women my age who are faster but I don’t train hard.
I think that where it hurts me is in the longer races like half marathons. My splits get slower and slower because I don’t have the stamina and I am not used to running and not stopping when my legs are tired.
Some people would say that if you are not getting injured, enjoying your races and winning awards, why worry.
Phew!
Glad I got that out of the way.
Thanks for listening.
Happy Running! Any advice?
My First 5K and More... 
Shameless – self serving post plug … I wrote about wanting to run and needing to run recently, you may find it helpful. 🙂
Keep up your amazing and inspiring work! It does not go unnoticed. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks. it did help.
LikeLike
Maybe you could try timed run/walk intervals. That way you know you’ll get a break, but you’ll also push yourself to run a little longer than you might without the structure of a timed interval. So, for instance, if you know you stop to walk 2-3 times per mile and you’re taking 11 minutes per mile, run 4 minutes, walk 30 seconds (or whatever makes sense to you and your level of fitness).
LikeLike
I used to feel guilty about taking walking breaks when I wasn’t officially doing intervals – at first I’d take one every mile, but then as mileage increased, I’d take one at 6 miles, 6.5 miles, 6.75 miles…you get the picture. Now I do intervals (with a timer) and no matter how much I want to walk during those higher mile runs, I don’t – because I know I have an official break coming very soon. As I’m sure you know, running is such a mental game! This is what works for me.
As far as “deserving” your AG awards – heck yes you do! Obviously you like the competitiveness of race day and give it your all…nothing wrong with that. Besides, you are mostly supposed to train at a slower than race day pace. Doing that is paying off for you, right? Toss that guilt aside and embrace how you run, I say!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I don’t hate you but yes, I am envious. Because for me a 12:00 pace is still hard for a training run & I’m never gonna run 9:00 even in the shorter races! Easy runs are important & most runners don’t do enough of them, but when all is said & done, it’s really about what YOU want.
Are you really unhappy with what you’re doing or do you read what others are doing & think you ought to be doing it, too?
If the former, you can change it up. You have the power.
If the latter, remember to run your own race, as they say.
LikeLike
Thanks for your candid comment. Yes, unhappy because my training is HARD and often not enjoyable. Yes, I read what others do and it makes sense.
LikeLike
You deserve those awards! I run slow most of the time. Races inspire us with all the people and the adrenaline that flows. Just run. IMO a mile is a mile is a mile.
LikeLike