I don't really know what to say about this. I can think of so many runs where I was almost drafting this post in my head. Thinking over everything I learned about myself during this streak. And my mind right now is blanking. Its time to really lay it out and sum it up, and I am at a bit of a loss for words.
So I guess I will just start with something.
Before this streak I had not run for more than 4 days in a row. This streak showed me that I can do more than I thought I was capable of. And yes, I learned that during my marathon too. But I learned it on a different level. Looking back at my marathon, I know there were times when I know I could have done more. I have been really hesitant to write anything too negative about my marathon bc I am proud of what I did, but deep down I hate that I know I had more to give (which is why I will run that same race next year, and do better, and do more).
But during this streak, I just kept going. There were a few days when it would have been easier to not run. But I didn't stop. I figured out when I run and I made it work. Sometimes it was just a mile. More times especially towards the end, when mentally I was struggling. But I still got that mile done. So to sum it up, this streak taught me to just GET IT DONE.
I learned a lot too about how to take care of myself. I stretched and foam rolled every day, and I felt little to no soreness or pain throughout this streak. I took care of myself. I hydrated. I did everything that I should always do but before the streak I didn't always do. But you better believe now I will, because I have proved to myself how helpful and important it is.
The streak once again proved to me the extreme highs and lows you can feel through running. Amazing run one day and craptastic the next. But you do it again and again, never knowing how it will go, just hoping for a great run, and wanting to do better than the day before.
So...
The streak is done. What is next? The Capital City River Run Half Marathon! This was my first half marathon ever, and I cannot wait to do it again! For training I built a plan using the Runners World Smart Coach.
Can you guys see that? This plan has me PRing by about 4 minutes, which would be great :) This will be the first training plan where I do tempo runs and speed work, and I am looking forward to that. Some of the long runs and easy runs are at a pace a little slower than I would normally aim for but we will see how it goes. The easy runs I may do frequently on the treadmill so I really can force myself to slow down and just take it easy. The plan I printed started yesterday with a 5 mile tempo run. One mile warm up, three miles at 10:20 and one mile cool down. I did the warm up, then 10:24, 10:30 and 10:11 with a cool down mile. Not quite on the pace I needed consistently but I was around it. For my first tempo run, I will take it.
Okay this post has gone on forever, so I will finish it up!
To summarize:
I STILL LOVE TO RUN! After 42 days in a row, I still love it! and I AM STOKED ABOUT HALF MARATHON TRAINING!
Good night guys :-D
Wow. That's amazing. I'd die without at least one day off a week. Congrats.
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