9: Pushing
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve registered for a 10K and now have a specific goal to strive toward, or if my body is just deciding to finally show me what it’s capable of, but lately I’ve begun to feel incredibly confident in my running ability.
Two years ago, I blogged (on a now nonexistent platform) during my first real attempt at becoming a runner. I had just moved to Santa Barbara, and Joe was running twice a week with a friend from work. I started joining them, and I slowly began to realize that my body could do more than I had thought it could. I wrote:
[Until recently, I had myself convinced] that I was and would always be physically incapable of running for a sustained period without collapsing in a pathetic, asthmatic display of lameness and a lack of even the remotest athletic ability. I have said, on more than one occasion and only slightly in jest, that I was allergic to running.
The first day I ran with Joe, I don’t think I can justifiably say that I did more than three minutes total of actual RUNNING. In fact, I didn’t even run halfway around the track before I felt like I was going to die and I had to walk. Every few minutes I would try to start running again, but within seconds I was out of breath and wanted to clutch my chest and fall flat on my back.
The next couple of times, I focused on meeting small goals, like making it around the track a full lap before I stopped to walk, or making sure I ran at least three laps out of however many I could finish by the time Joe had gone his two or three miles.
[And then this week], I ran–albeit slowly–A FULL FOUR LAPS without stopping to walk! It was AWESOME. I felt so accomplished.
And someday…maybe in like, a year…I might even be able to KEEP UP with Joe. Wouldn’t that be cool?
That was two years ago. Now, I have to laugh a little at the thought of the Tabitha from two years ago who couldn’t make it 200 yards without wanting to die. Because now, I can say with (almost) complete confidence that when I set out to run, I will easily run at least a mile, and sometimes two or even three, before stopping to walk.
Did you hear me? I said THREE MILES. I have to say that even just two weeks ago, I would not have believed you if you told me that I’d be able to run three miles before the end of the year. I was anticipating having to really, really push myself in training in order to be ready for a 10K in four months. Now, suddenly, I’m wondering if I should’ve looked for one that occurs SOONER.
But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’m keeping track of how many miles I run each week, and I don’t want to increase my total mileage more than about 10% per week, which is the recommended amount for beginning runners. I’m looking at being able to run six miles — DOUBLE what I’m able to run now — probably by February, if not sooner. I’m learning that pushing myself is a GOOD thing, and that my body is immensely more awesome than it used to be (or than I’d ever allowed it to be). I fully intend to finish that 10K on March 26, 2011, with flying colors. I’m not terribly concerned with my speed, although I’m hoping to maintain a pace of about ten minutes per mile. Currently I’m averaging about 10:40, so that shouldn’t be too hard, right?
Oh, and by the way, now? I can totally keep pace with Joe when we run. YAY!
What are you pushing yourself to excel at lately?
***
PS: Don’t forget to enter my giveaway! There are only a few comments so far, so your chances are pretty good right about now. DOOOO IT!
Woot!! GO YOU. I love this “collapsing in a pathetic, asthmatic display of lameness” because that was pretty much me one month ago lol. I’m having trouble getting past it but I can do a mile, sometimes a mile and a half, except I still have to walk some, run some. I want to be able to just RUN!!
Lately I am pushing myself at the thing furthest out of my comfort zone. This weekend is going to seriously be my biggest test yet and I’m TERRIFIED yet simultaneously thrilled at the thought of overcoming being “bad”, and coming out the other side having hopefully surprised myself. It’s a secret until Monday
If you’re doing a 10K in March, might as well aim for the half marathon in April. It’s not that much more training.
please. don’t blacklist me from your blog after reading my sock poem.
- Linda
Well done. Keep up the great work.
You can totally do the 10k in march. I have 100% confidence and faith in you =) I had a minor injury after I finished my last one (I think my body HATES me) but as soon as I get clearance to run again, I’ll be back on the training wagon for 5ks and 10ks! So excited/proud/happy for you
YAY!!! definitely don’t push too hard. just let it happen. work at a good pace, stay healthy, don’t get injured, and remember one thing: you will ALWAYS start your races WWWAAAAYYY faster than you intend to. however, there is NOTHING like running across that finish line, feeling like death, thinking ONLY about water and how much food you’re allowed to take… and then they give your medal for finishing. you don’t even care that it’s a participant medal and not, like, 1st place. you’ll be SO proud of it, heck, you might even wear it to work the next day. racing is awesome, but it definitely will be different than what you think it will. i’m proud of you and can’t wait to hear how it goes come march.
I love the feeling you get when you push yourself through that mental barrier when exercising. I used to think I was in an incredibly bad shape, however after forcing myself to go that one step further, I realised I’m capable of so much more. Well, my “so much more” is just shy of a mile. Still, extremely good for me!
Are you using any programme training or just doing it your own way?
Anywhoos, back to the question at hand… I’m not really pushing myself in anything at the moment. My life’s very much in a limbo at the moment, and whereas I do kind of like the feeling of it, it frustrates me that I can’t really start anything so I could be good at it because I know I won’t be able to finish it!