Best Run Ever!
February 14
Group Run: 8-miles
Red Robin & Yummy French Fries
A new milestone for me on Saturday! The West Coast Road Runners met early in Carlsbad, CA to embark on an eight mile run up the coast. I was nervous about this because my training runs during the week were not the greatest.
The night before the run, we went to Red Robin for an early Valentine's Day family time out. I ate lots of french fries and most of my Whiskey River Chicken Burger. So, so yummy!! I was tempted to get a chocolate malt for dessert but I decided against it. I was pretty full and worried about how all the food might effect my run... but I figured it couldn't make my run any worse than it had been all week.
Valentine's Day on the Coast
Sounds romantic, but my morning on the coast was strictly for the purpose of running. And what a perfect place to run! A few hills, yes, but mostly running right next to the water along the "strand" which leads from North Carlsbad to Oceanside. It was chilly but only partly cloudy... no rain as predicted.
The ocean to the left of me... the railroad tracks to the right of me... my favorite tunes in my ears... the run up to the turn around point was fantastic! I kept running and running and didn't feel a need to walk. When the first half of the run was almost over, it occurred to that I just might be able to run the whole 8-miles without stopping to walk. It seemed like a nearly unattainable goal at the time, but there was that smidgen of hope in the back of my mind.
I Did It!! (Well, Mostly)
About 6 miles into the run, as I headed back to where we started, I decided I would go for it! I would do the eight miles without walking. I was so tired but I convinced myself to keep going. I kept remembering all the motivational quotes that talk about running being a mental sport. I ran at my usual snail-like pace but I kept going. And going. And going.
Until the very end of the course. The hill that I ran down at the beginning of the run was a great way to start, but not a nice way to finish. I ran up as much as I could but finally had to walk to the top when I realized I was about to topple over the side of the bridge wall (or so it seemed). After the crest of the hill, I ran the last couple blocks to the end.
In spite of the short 1/10th of a mile I had to walk, I felt pretty darn proud of myself! Three weeks ago, I was shedding tears of frustration that I couldn't even run/walk 5 miles without feeling like I was going to die. Now I was fighting back tears again... but this time tears of joy and a sense of accomplishment! Two months ago I never would have dreamed of running nearly 8 miles non-stop. I feel so good!
So, there it is... my Saturday run in a nutshell.
The moral of the story: Eat french fries the night before a longish run. Lots and lots of french fries. :) OK, don't quote me on that... but I'm willing to try it again!
I may have used this quote before but it's one of my favorites right now. Except for the diet part... I still like to think the french fries helped.
Group Run: 8-miles
Red Robin & Yummy French Fries
A new milestone for me on Saturday! The West Coast Road Runners met early in Carlsbad, CA to embark on an eight mile run up the coast. I was nervous about this because my training runs during the week were not the greatest.
The night before the run, we went to Red Robin for an early Valentine's Day family time out. I ate lots of french fries and most of my Whiskey River Chicken Burger. So, so yummy!! I was tempted to get a chocolate malt for dessert but I decided against it. I was pretty full and worried about how all the food might effect my run... but I figured it couldn't make my run any worse than it had been all week.
Valentine's Day on the Coast
Sounds romantic, but my morning on the coast was strictly for the purpose of running. And what a perfect place to run! A few hills, yes, but mostly running right next to the water along the "strand" which leads from North Carlsbad to Oceanside. It was chilly but only partly cloudy... no rain as predicted.
The ocean to the left of me... the railroad tracks to the right of me... my favorite tunes in my ears... the run up to the turn around point was fantastic! I kept running and running and didn't feel a need to walk. When the first half of the run was almost over, it occurred to that I just might be able to run the whole 8-miles without stopping to walk. It seemed like a nearly unattainable goal at the time, but there was that smidgen of hope in the back of my mind.
I Did It!! (Well, Mostly)
About 6 miles into the run, as I headed back to where we started, I decided I would go for it! I would do the eight miles without walking. I was so tired but I convinced myself to keep going. I kept remembering all the motivational quotes that talk about running being a mental sport. I ran at my usual snail-like pace but I kept going. And going. And going.
Until the very end of the course. The hill that I ran down at the beginning of the run was a great way to start, but not a nice way to finish. I ran up as much as I could but finally had to walk to the top when I realized I was about to topple over the side of the bridge wall (or so it seemed). After the crest of the hill, I ran the last couple blocks to the end.
In spite of the short 1/10th of a mile I had to walk, I felt pretty darn proud of myself! Three weeks ago, I was shedding tears of frustration that I couldn't even run/walk 5 miles without feeling like I was going to die. Now I was fighting back tears again... but this time tears of joy and a sense of accomplishment! Two months ago I never would have dreamed of running nearly 8 miles non-stop. I feel so good!
So, there it is... my Saturday run in a nutshell.
The moral of the story: Eat french fries the night before a longish run. Lots and lots of french fries. :) OK, don't quote me on that... but I'm willing to try it again!
I may have used this quote before but it's one of my favorites right now. Except for the diet part... I still like to think the french fries helped.
The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy. It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.
~Jacqueline Gareau
~Jacqueline Gareau
Comments
I'll keep the french fry tips in mind for my next long run ;)