Week 2

I considered naming this post "The Terrible 2" because this week was pretty difficult.  Breathing...heart rate...core issues...tiredness.  All of the above made this week a hard one.  I managed to get out there five times and get some good mileage considering everything.  Some times I think I push myself harder on days/weeks when I'm not feeling the greatest.  I wonder what that's about...

The 4 I completed on the treadmill Tuesday was probably the most frustrating.  In my mind it was supposed to be an easy run.  What actually happened was 4 miles in 45 min (last week I ran 5 miles in 46 min!).  I was running at a relatively slow pace trying to keep my HR down but kept having to stop to catch my breath.  I literally stopped 10 or more times.  I just felt uncomfortable and it was discouraging.

My long run this week really wasn't any better.  Went out for an 11 on Saturday with my running bud.  We picked a new route running through Newton.  Though beautiful, the whole run, from beginning to end, was haarrrd (for me at least).  To be fair, there were lots of rolling hills and the humidity was pretty high but from mile 8 and on I no longer felt like I was running but shuffling, barely lifting my feet.  Not a good feeling when you think you should be further along with your fitness.  By the time we got back it looked like I had gone swimming instead of running. :(

I still can't get used to how each run can feel so differently.  My midweek runs were okay.  Every time I go out it's like pulling a run out of a  hat.  I kept reminding myself to be thankful my self worth isn't dependent on me running like the wind every time!  This probably sounds silly but a frustrating long run can take it's toll.  God is good and my joy depends on that alone.  I've got a ways to go to be able to take every run as they come without getting psyched out by the difficult ones.