Training really works!

Yes, it does!  Training works!  Do you believe that?

After my lyme disease, I basically had to start all over with running.  I wasn't feeling so good because I had missed 3 months of training and several races that I REALLY wanted to run in.  But I knew I wanted to get back to it and would put in any and all of the work required.  I changed my training plan and started focusing on distance rather than speed so much.  I needed to build back up my endurance.

I began training again in mid-September.  I started feeling pretty good.  Brady and I signed up to run the Y Turkey Trot in the beginning of November.  Turns out it was the day after the cub scout sleepover at the Y.  Not really a sleepover, an up-all-nighter.  I was tired, so didn't put any expectations on myself.  I was planning on walking a good portion.  But about mile 1 1/2 or so, I started feeling pretty good.  I finished at 33:39.  My worst time, but considering I was up all night playing volleyball, climbing rock walls and listening to excited kids (plus not eating well), I was pretty happy.  I was more happy that I just got to complete the race.  That lyme disease kicked me in the butt and I really didn't know if I was ever going to have the energy again.

The weekend after that, I ran my first 10K.  It was a last minute decision.  I was there alone, but found someone I knew there who is a great runner.  I was talking to her about it.  She was running the 5K.  Her name is Jinny.  It was a beautiful run.  On the trail, by a river, almost the entire time.  It was chilly, but sunny.  I just tried to keep my pace the entire run.  Every time I looked at my watch, I was at the same pace.  I couldn't believe it.  I told Kip I anticipated 1:15-1:30 finish time.  I came in at 1:04:36!  Holy cow!  I was so happy!  Jinny was there at the finish line cheering me in.  I thought it was so nice of her.  I felt great.  From that moment on, I knew I liked distance races and set in my mind to run a 1/2.

On Thanksgiving Day, Kip, Brady and I ran in a turkey trot (Brady begged us to do this one!).  Brady took off very fast and I stayed at my pace and made Kip go and slow him down.  He was mad, but I know he would not have the endurance at that pace to make the entire 5K.  I was right and he knew it!  I coached him the whole way and we had our best 5K times yet.  Brady - 31:29, Me - 31:33, Kip 31:44.  It was a great day!

Shortly after I signed up for a 1/2.  I've been training for it since.  I run about 4 days a week. 3 of those days I run  2-4 miles on those days, with some speed and hills thrown in and 1 of those days is my long run I run with Joanne.  I am VERY disciplined about getting my runs in, plus I crosstrain with the bike or step class another 2 days.  But it's working!

I'll give you 2 examples.  First, on the second long run Joanne and I ran together, we ran 6.2 miles.  It was a nice day, but our typically hilly route.  We ran it in 1:11.  It turned out to be an 11:27 pace.  Fine for a long run. I wasn't disappointed.  Last week, we ran 10.1 miles.  It was a horrible windy day.  Wind advisories were out.  40-50 mph wind gusts.  And it was our hilly route (VERY hilly).  We ran it in 1:54.  The pace:  11:17!  We took off 10 seconds per mile and the conditions were FAR worse!  That is one example that training works.  Second, yesterday I ran 3 miles.  I came in at 30:09.  I ran negative splits:  10:22, 10:15, 9:32.  Had I gone .1 more to make a 5K, I would've beat my best 5K time by over 30 seconds! 

I will continue to train the way I have for the past few months.  I know it works.  I have 3 weeks until my first half.  Am I nervous?  Yes!  Excited?  Yes!  But I will complete it because I've trained for it and I know, training really works!