10 miler AND 11.5 miler - DONE!

When I last wrote, I was preparing to get a 10 miler done. I got it done - by myself. I do a lot of my miles by myself, but it has been a while since I've done that many alone. To go out and spend a couple of hours walking and running can be a challenge. However, it is also a blessing.

This has to be the most difficult thing I have found since I have become a distance runner. When I began training for my first marathon, I was 37, married, worked part-time from home and was the mother of 11 year old twins and a 4 year old - all girls. I spent the first 6 months, mostly walking, so I was spending a good amount of time training. It was not the easiest thing I've done in my life, but it was definitely one of the most worthwhile investments I have made and continue to make.

It took a while, but I learned to value my time out on the road. I had time to think and pray and breathe! I stopped feeling guilty about this time and started enjoying the benefits of investing this time in me. I learned to budget my time during the rest of the day, so that I had time to train. We all have the same amount of time in each day. I am always surprised, when I take stock of how I spend my time, how much time I actually waste doing unnecessary things. What I found at the end of the training season, is that I had more energy and seemingly more time (because I used it more wisely), I had the most successful year in my business than I'd had up to that point, and most importantly, I had more energy and an overall better sense of well being that, in turn, benefited my family and others around me.

Each time I come upon a long run and am not feeling up to it, I remind myself of all of these things and I know that it is worth it to get out there and do it. This past Saturday, it was time for an 11 miler. I was not looking forward to it because I thought I'd have to go it alone again and the weather was supposed to be very cold. I don't always do well in the cold because of asthma. At the last minute, I checked with a running buddy to see if she wanted to brave it with me - she did. Whew! We had a great run together - it was cold, but the asthma didn't act up. It was a beautiful day and I ended up going about 11.5+ miles.

I will be ready for St. Jude's 1/2 on 12/4. In fact, I am going to try another strategy this time. I am actually going to train up to 14 miles, so that the 1/2 is a drop back. I have never trained this way, because I have never been up to the right mileage in time. I am interested to see if it helps on race day. We will see.