It’s been 43 days since I started this run streak — There have been walks There has been bitter, bitter cold. There has been days I just don’t want to; days I’m sick of being cold all the time… But I’m still at it.
I’m trying to temper myself and remind myself constantly that I need patience. In the winter, my runs are slow. I’m slogged down by running gear, layers to keep me warm, cold air, snow that feels like running on sand, ice, etc. On a good day, I post a 14:15 minute mile. And god, does that feel fucking awful. I’m trying to remind myself that this will translate, once the snow melts, back to my usual 12:30 mile. It always does. Always.
Training for the half is fine. My new goal of 15 miles a week will help me reach my yearly goal of 700 mile – my biggest year yet. My first “long” run is Saturday, with 4 miles on the chart. Back before the snow, I tallied up a 5 mile run because I was bored. Right now, four miles feels painful.
I’m getting close to my favorite part of training — the ability to run to the local park. When I get to the 6 mile mark, I’ll be running to the park, around the largest loop, and back home. Something about that always jives with me. Right now, I run around my neighborhood on the 1, 2, or 3 mile paths I know very well. It’s all boringly geometric, but it’s what I have right now. I can’t wait to run down the path on Beach Road and reach the trail head. That will feel like such an accomplishment, given where I started back on the path to running in October.
I’m tired of being slow. I’m tired of feeling like this is all so much work… I know there will be a payoff at the end, but man being patient is hard. I keep reminding myself of my reward – that PR at Run the Bluegrass will feel great. I’ll get my name on the PR board again at Etheral. And I will get a new tattoo.
I should probably put some work into deciding what that tattoo will be… Running themed? Astrology themed? Something to represent my love for my home state?
First comes the work.