Monday, September 12, 2011

Day 30 (9/11): 4 miles / 39:08

After starting my day with tailgating, beer drinking, jello shots and a whole bunch of junk food, I'm really impressed I was able to end my day with a nice long run...

Surprisingly enough, it actually felt really good to get out there.  It was a nice reminder that, at least for now, I don't have to give up all the fun stuff just because I'm training.

For the first mile or so, I was feeling a little sluggish and giving some consideration to ending my run at 3 miles instead of 4.  I mean, what's the difference anyway?  I could just run a little extra next time, right?  It wasn't so much that I didn't think I could finish all 4 miles... I actually think it was simply that I'm pretty used to calling it quits on my goals a little early... it's just what I do.  I thought back to my mindset in high school and I distinctly remember cutting a few corners during training now and then when I really wasn't into it.  It was never an inability... just laziness.  The difference now, of course, is that my end goal is not a faster time for a 5k... it's a much, much longer distance.  Which means that, my cutting corners now results in being unprepared for my next run, which I would also likely end early and fall into a detrimental pattern of not doing what was necessary to prepare myself.  And, since this crazy goal of mine effects no one but myself, I have to remember that the only one cheated in the long run is me.  It's time to stop taking the easy way out.  It's time to start preparing myself for a little more hard work than I'm used to.

After mile 2, more than half way through my run, I feel surprisingly re-energized.  I think, at this point, I've talked myself out of being unnecessarily lazy and I'm determined, once again, to take the necessary steps to do what needs to be done.  My next increase in mileage isn't until September 25th.  By then, this 4 mile route should be a breeze.

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