Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Ego...

"I learned something new about myself again today!"

You know how it's not that we don't know this "thing" about ourselves, but sometimes, something happens and we just see it more clearly. Well, that happened to me today. Ever since I started running I have been telling anyone who would listen :) that my goal was to go the distance, but that I really don't care about the time at all. So I run a 13 minute mile, whatever...and I meant it uh mean it! But I hadn't factored in the ego...that part of our psyche that is sometimes hard to satisfy...ha! Now, I would consider today's run a relatively good one...7K (4.4 miles) and no pain, plus the weather was nice at 0°C/32°F. My lungs are still not 100% and I got a pain in my side for a couple of Ks, but overall, a good run. Who cares about my time right? Well, it seems that I do a little bit now that I'm on Dailymile :) ...ah yes, now I've chosen to advertise not only my distance, but also my pace. So guess who pushed it up a notch for the last couple of Ks. That would be me, the girl who doesn't give a beep about her pace :) ...you know what, I'm gonna see this as a good thing. I think it may help me to push myself a little more...I was taking it easy today because of my lungs and then the pain in my side, but then I pushed it up a notch and I was totally fine! Balance, that's what it's all about, that's what it's always about...push a little more (enough to improve), but not too much (avoid injury). Lesson learned...haha! Sure...

I then had lunch, ran a few errands and then headed to the gym. I only work evenings on Tuesdays and I had planned on starting my strength training again today. I took it very easy, less weights and less repetitions for today, but all out on arms and abs. Ugh! It was hard today and I was tired after. Balance?! How can I know when it's too much or not enough...this is complicated...sigh.

OK :) Happy with my 7K though!
And I start a program for my half in two weeks, that should help.
Cheers!



10 comments:

Jamoosh said...

Nothing wrong with being happy about pushing it up a notch! Way to go.

mommaof3ontherun said...

I'm slower too...pushing the stroller I'm even slower, LOL. I hate publishing the pace on daily mile too...hoping that my new running friends don't judge though!

Pushing yourself is good....just not too hard!

Anne said...

Just the fact that we're out there is already a good thing right? :)...and with a stroller, well that's just impressive!
I'm quite convinced that no one is judging me and my pace...except me :)

Amy said...

Sometimes we surprise ourselves, don't we? Good for you!

Marlene said...

I find that uloading my runs online makes me push a little bit harder some days, too. Good on ya!

Alicia said...

I never used to care about my pace, either, until I started racing and my competitive nature took over. Never really competitive with others, just myself. I just like to feel like I'm always improving. Nothing wrong with that!

Good luck on training for the half!

Melissa said...

Good job!!

I got a little more competitive on pace when I started reading blogs and then a Facebook friend reminded me that I should compete against myself and not everyone else, so now I do. I like that!

Weight Loss Mama said...

Thanks for the comment! I love DailyMile! It always keeps me accountable :-)

5 Miles 2 Empty said...

Good job! You will find that balance you are looking for, just listen to your body! I have always said that I run for me, for myself and no one else. I don't race people, I am no uber competitive with others, only with myself. If I can do better then I try to do better...but not better than someone, only better for ME. Running is my therapy, and as therapists we have to find some sort of balance in our lives. Talk is good but for me running is better!

Jon Gilchrist said...

balance is certainly key..and you'll sort out what's enough and what's not enuff as you go along...no worries. One thign I try to do, as a suggestion, when I am trying to push harder for a particular workout is take myself past the "cap" I set for myself.

So...if I'm running intervals and I increase my effort and speed to a point..once I hit that that "point", I push jsut a wee bit more. It encourages me to get comfy with doing alil more...