Saturday 16 June 2012

15kms - Done and Dusted !!!!

Last weekend I planned to do a longer run - I didn't because of the crappy weather and I felt bad, I felt like I was always saying I was going to do this longer run but it just never happened.  I had done a 12km run the Wednesday before but, for me I wanted more.

I knew A and K were working today and so had planned to go to work as well - but only after I had run.  A left at about 7am and I got up and got dressed.  Thought about what to eat / drink before I left - this is a dilemma for me because I always run at night and have something to eat at about 3pm.  Anyway, I had a couple of sips of water to take my tablets and had a protein bar - worked like a charm which is great because now I know what I can have before the race on 30th June which starts at 6.30 am !!!!  Bloody hell - how am I going to manage to get up for that !! Sorry I digress - again !

The next dilemma was what to wear - I have long sleeve tops which are great but I thought they would be too hot by the time I was 5 or 6km into my run and the weather got warmer. I found two short sleeve tops that I had bought when we were doing a lot of bush walking and it worked so well - warm enough when I started but not too hot later in the run.  The only problem was my hands - they were bloody cold for most of the run and have got so fat I battled to get my rings on when I left home a little while ago.  It's been a long time since my rings have been so uncomfortable on my fingers !!!

I got to half way and stopped to stretch my gastrocs, hamstrings and quads - they were getting tight and tired.  I turned around and headed home -  I had run 7.5km away from home knowing that when I got there I had no option but to turn and go home - no short cuts - no way to get home except put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

Up until I stopped to stretch I was still averaging 6:32/km which I was extremely happy with.  At about 11km my legs were getting really tired - I considered giving up. I thought about phoning someone to come and fetch me.  I thought about what I was doing and why.  I thought about my village of cheerleaders and I put my big girl undies on, sucked it up and go on with it.  At 12kms my pace had dropped to 6:42 - still good and still acceptable for me.  At 13km I had tears running down my face - why was I doing this ?  Why didn't I just stop ?  Why didn't I call someone to come and fetch me ?  What was I trying to prove ?  What did it matter if I didn't finish these last 2 kms ?  Would it be the end of the world ?  No, it wouldn't be the end of the world but it would be one more goal that I set for myself that I didn't manage to achieve.  In any case, who could I phone - A was at work and I thought that K would have left for work already. I could call my BIL - how to explain I was 2 kms from home and just couldn't go on.  I could call my folks - no explanation required - just could you please come and pick me up and they would be there faster than I could say Jack Flash. 

And then I heard the voices (no I am not going off my head - they were virtual voices) - Aroha, Lyndal, Jane, B and Lee - cheering me on those last 2kms - telling me I could do it and to just keep putting one foot in front of the other - cheering me with every step that I took - cheering me to keep going - not for any reason other than to help me on my way.  1.25km from home K called to say she was leaving for work (I COULD have called her at 13kms to come and collect me - I am SO FRIGGIN' HAPPY I didn't !!!) - I waved as she drove past and I knew that I would make it all the way home - and I did !!! 

This morning I ran 15kms in under 7min/km (because 6 mins 59 secs is under 7mins isn't it ????) - and, right now, I would have to be one of the happiest ladies on the planet (even though I am about to start working for a couple of hours !!!) - my legs are tired and aching (not helped because I didn't stretch) but I can live with them like this - they tell me I am alive and I have achieved something I NEVER thought I would - never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would RUN (plod ?) 15kms.  Rhianna asked the question yesterday - when does jogging become running ? If anyone knows I would love to know the answer.



Tonight may be a different story when I have to walk up the steps at Metricon Stadium to get to my seat but I will deal with that when it happens !!

For those who think they can't run - you can - you so can do it because if I can do it - ANYONE can do it !!!

Have the best weekend ever - and thank you again for your support, encouragement and motivation - I can't tell you how much it means to me !!   This TFTD is for all of you who are on this journey with me - A HUGE BIG THANK YOU !!

TFTD : Never forget where you have been.  Never lose sight of where you are going.  And never take for granted the people who travel the journey with you.

13 comments:

  1. Wow! Good for you. As I was reading this I was thinking I wish I could do that, but I know I can't...

    A year ago my brother's girlfriend (who is a runner) inspired me and I tried to learn to jog. I went out twice. The end.

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    1. I know that running isn't for everyone - I'm just sorry it took me so many years to find out that it is my thing !!!
      Enjoy your time with no classes, studying and assignments ! Have a great weekend.
      Me

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  2. Wow!! I thought I was a total legent when I once ran 4km. Some day in the future I will try to run more, will train and get better and I will think of this post. Many thanks for inspiring myself and others.

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    1. I think that anyone who runs is a ledgend (myself excluded !!!!) - when you are ready and you can make the time, you will do it. I know you have little children whereas mine is all grown up and my time is pretty much my own.
      Hope you have had a great weekend !
      Me

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  3. Wow! 15km in under 7 minutes! That's great! I've been trying to run but, again, I lack motivation... Especially when it's raining! But Congratulations on achieving this run!

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    1. Thanks Rita - I have done some running in the rain and it really is horrible - not something I would recommend unless you absolutely have to !!!
      Have a great day and thank you for stopping by.
      Me

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  4. I ate not one, but two sweet rolls as I read this. :(

    AWESOME job! Every time I stop back to your blog you're doing something new to impress me. You should be VERY proud of yourself!

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    1. Thanks Diane - how are you ? It's been a while since I was in touch with you - so busy with lots of stuff (including all the running !!!) will probably cut back in July after the race on 30th June (or I will be more motivated to run more !!!!)
      I hope you enjoyed the sweeet rolls - no point in having them if you didn't enjoy them !!!!
      Love, hugs and positive energy.
      Me

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  5. Congratulations on a fantastic achievement. Go you!

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    1. Thanks Liz - have the best Thursday tomorrow !
      Love, hugs and positive energy.
      Me

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  6. Thank you Mademoiselle Slimalicious - I will be popping by to read your blog. If you start of with short distances and slowly build it up, you can manage it !
    Have the best day ever !
    Me

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  7. Congratulations on your run. A good deal of running is in the head - well done on turning those negative thoughts around.

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    1. Thank you - that is what I have found - it is what is going through my head that has a big influence on each run - I am trying really hard to stay positive !!!
      Have a great Friday and thank you for stopping by.
      Me

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