Monday, June 14, 2010

Learning to dig...

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen."
Muhammad Ali

So true Mr. Ali, so true. There is something magical about our beliefs that can either allow us to overcome obstacles and surpass ourselves or quickly give up and sometimes not even try. Or, as Henry Ford once said, "Think you can, think you can't, either way you're right"! So I reminded myself of this today as I was attempting to dig a little deeper.

Today, I went to the gym later in the afternoon. My plan was: the gym, come home and have an early dinner, and then later in the evening, head out with Uber H for a quick 5K. That's not exactly how it panned out. At the gym, I started with a 2K warm up on the treadmill. I then did my jumps (30 in all), then my workout consisted of some leg, arm and core work. I ended the workout with some stretching. It had been a good workout, my legs felt a little wobbly and I was ready for a short break. When I got home, there was Uber H all dressed and ready to go for his run. Okay then...so I grabbed half a banana and off we went. The plan was for a 5K steady run. Around 3K I was starting to struggle, I really didn't feel I had much energy left. Uber H knew I was struggling, the fact that I was way behind him was a good indication that things weren't going so well. After a while, he came back to talk to me:

Uber H: "Have we done 4K yet?"
Me: "4.3"
U.H.: "Do you want to walk for one minute?"
Me: "No, it's okay"
U.H.: "We could walk for just one minute"
Me: "No, I want to get through this. I need to get used to pushing through when I feel like this"
U.H.: "Okay then...you're tough, you can do it"
Me: "But the minute I hit 5K I'm stopping"
U.H. (Laughs and takes off)
Beep beep, 5K, I did it! Here is where my "you can finish this" belief kicked in as I started talking to myself: "I'm at the top of a nice hill. May as well wait till I reach the bottom to stop." "Feels like my second wind has kicked in."  "Oh, it's nice and flat here, I'll stop when I reach the uphill right ahead." "Look, you're almost home, hang in there, climb the hill and get to the stop sign at least." "A few more meters and you'll be in your driveway." YAY! I'm home and I did 5.5K.

It wasn't an easy run today, but I had an AHA moment around the 3K mark, a realization that I better get used to not feeling so good during some of the upcoming longer runs in my marathon training plan. Not that I always felt great during my half-marathon training, but I didn't suffer too much. I have a feeling that's about to change. We're talking a 10K tempo run the first week of training. The most I've done is 6K at tempo pace. Can I take it? I'd like to believe that I can and belief is everything...so they say! Do I want to do this to myself? Well, I signed up didn't I, so I guess that would be a yes :)

Over the weekend, I completed a 10K "long run" to get back into it. It went relatively well, but it wasn't easy. The humidity may have had something to do with it.
I started dressed like this.
...and before even reaching 2K, I was dressed like this!
A little TMB photoshoot :)

Learning to dig a little deeper over the next few months...Cheers!

P.S. Welcome to my new followers and thanks mom, for becoming my 100th follower! I love you! :)

24 comments:

Kelly said...

Good for you pushing though to the end of a tough run, and beyond. The mental aspect of distance running is so important... sounds like you've got some good positive chatter going on inside your head!

Heather said...

Nice job pushing through that tough run! That is great training for the mental aspect of the marathon.

Sarah said...

You did it!!! The humidity here has been just awful too...I am sweaty before I even start!

Alma said...

Nice job! That humidity is the worst. I have a hard time breathing in it (asthma too).

Char said...

Sometimes you feel so bad that it's only your head that gets you to where you want to go. Well done and thanks for reminding us.

Jennifer said...

You look great! Happy too.... I think you are really finding what you need to get through this next phase of the running life. It's exciting to see when someone taps into the magic. Cheers!

ajh said...

I love that your mom was your 100th follower! Great job on pushing through! There will be more moments like it as you marathon train but you sound ready.

Johann said...

Well done, this is great. You are definitely mentally strong already. You'll just get stronger and stronger as you progress with your training. Yeah for your mom!

Lily on the Road said...

Way to go to your Mom!!!

I've been struggling with the humidity and I'm having to use my Ventolin more often than not recently.

Marathon training is a whole different animal, treat it that way and you will do so well!

Marlene said...

That's so sweet that Mom became #100! :)

AWESOME work pushing through the tough 5K. It is so beneficial learning to work through discomfort and it will definitely pay off in the long run.

Claude said...

So amasing the way you reach out for your goals. And I must say you have a super partner. Love you both. And I think you look like a model on that second picture ;)

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Looking good Anne! I think it's great that you realize that it's not always going to be easy and that you have to push through. It will make you a stronger runner and really help you with that marathon!

misszippy said...

You're all over it! Running is so much mental...if you believe you can do it, you can. Great job.

Evolving Through Running said...

Well done pushing through! It's all being stored and processed by your body, and your mind and body will remember the next time you need to push. Great job!

Emz said...

YAY for 100!!

Way to go!

Laura said...

yay for doing 5.5 when you felt shot by 4.3, and no wonder after just finishing another workout! Good work :-)

mommaof3ontherun said...

great job. I'm learning to dig too...but you are much farther along in training, etc.

Rad Runner said...

Dressed like this or like that, you look GREAT either way, and thats that!

MomRunningFromCancer said...

Way to push through the work out. Sometimes we just have to push and not listen to the little demon on our shoulders saying that we should stop and walk for a bit. Hey - you look really good in a sports bra - wish I could do that. ;-)

I am very excited to hear about your marathon training schedule. When do you start?

Melissa said...

Congrats on 100 followers. You look great in the sports bra. Hot chickie! :)

Sherri said...

Digging is good! I am excited to get to that point!
Great Job!
By the Way...Your are BEAUTIFUL!

Anne said...

It's nice to see such progression on your blog. And how wonderful your mom was your 100th follower.

Julie said...

COngrats on the 102 followers:)

Robin said...

Digging deep ... always a good choice! Congrats on 100+ followers! :)