Thursday, December 23, 2010

Treadmill Half Marathon (Recap)

Thursday, December 23
State: Insanity
Temperature: Inside the gym? A billion.

I wasn't even intending to run today. When I packed my bag for the gym, I threw in capri's and my pink Newtons (they are a bit higher in the heel and the few times I have run in them, they rub the back of my foot). I figured I'd do a bit of cross training, then go to a BodyPump class.

Then.

I got off work early. Like a few hours early. After running a few errands that I have been putting off for a while, I was pretty excited to get to the gym early. I mean, earlier I get there, earlier I leave, right?

Wrong.

Have I mentioned lately that I think there is something wrong with me? I tend to do crazy things without really putting any thought in them (or thinking they are even crazy in the first place).

So I get there and I decide to run "just a little bit." I hesitated when setting my hill program. I *almost* set it for only 30 minutes. Then I figured I would set it for an hour, and at the most, I'd do that, at the least I'd stop if/when my shoes bothered me.


But then. For the THIRD time in a row... it felt GOOD to run. I have been running hills so much that they don't really bother me. I have noticed I am nowhere NEAR as fatigued as I used to be when running. I don't breathe nearly as hard. People come and go on the treadmills. A few make it longer than 30 minutes. My hour is up. I actually paced my hill program pretty well.

Then I thought... I'm still feeling pretty good. Maybe I'll just run until class starts (another 30-40 minutes). And then I was STILL feeling pretty good. I was remembering that I had told J twice this week that if I had more time I could have "easily run another hour." I figured I'd put my money where my mouth is.

Not bad for mostly hill program (60 min hills, 5 min "cool down")
And I kept going. And going. And going...

I won't lie. It got rough around mile 11. And mile 12 was pretty brutal. But I have a quality that I think helps me out a LOT when I run. DETERMINATION. I had my mind set on running a half marathon, and that's exactly what I did.


Negative splits even! Can I call myself a runner?

What to take from this post:

1. I'm crazy.
2. I had no intention of running a half marathon today, yet I did, and it wasn't terrible.
3. Normally when I run this distance I prep the whole day before and hydrate, take GU, etc. - today? Nothing but some water.

And yet I'm still debating on doing some sort of "by-myself-virtual-outdoor-race-type-thing" on Christmas day. I miss organized racing (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it hasn't been that long).

:D

aaaaand


THREE THINGS THURSDAY

1. I think I just "might" be addicted to 13.1... It's been less than two weeks since I ran my last one, and it seems my mind (and legs) weren't going to let me forget it.

2. I think I'm gonna sign up for a race. Or two.

3. Me and bunny miss A.


AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY GIVEAWAY!!!

8 comments:

  1. 1. You're insane for running 13 miles on a treadmill!

    2. You rock for running 13 miles on a treadmill!

    Even with A not with you, I really do hope that you'll have a wonderful Holiday weekend!

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  2. I agree - Crazy; 13 on a treadmill? Wow. Congrats but please someone hit me over the head if I try to do this. :)

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  3. I have NO idea how you do these runs on the treadmill... you are awesome!

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  4. I can't do that. Can't. I'd go stir crazy and kill someone!

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  5. I could totally see myself doing that. You know, when I suck less :D. I seem to be some freak that likes the treadmill.

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  6. Kick ass! And on a treadmill. YOu're a rock star!

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  7. awesome job!! I hope there was some good eye candy to look at while on the treadmill!

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  8. You know what I like about you? You make me look normal! ;) Everybody at work tells me on a daily basis that I am crazy for running in the cold. .... but hello? It is winter, what am I supposed to do! But I can safely say I have never just though 'eh, I'll run a 1/2 marathon today.


    However, if I had the ability ... maybe I would try?? Talk to me after February - I might take this all back and be out there running for hours just for fun!

    ReplyDelete

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