9... Ahem I mean 10 miles till its over!

I set out to run 9 miles this morning and I was struggling right until I fell asleep last night to feel good about my run.  I whined about it, I talked about it and I discussed it to hell and all the way back.  I finally decided I was going to be positive because any other attitude would just be guaranteed failure.  I set my alarm and was ready for a long positive run.  It's been over two years since I ran 9 miles.  I t occurred to me this morning that the last time I had hit that distance I actually had to sit down on the half marathon course ( I had the decency to sit on the side of the road).  I had injured my foot and wasn't sure I'd be able to cross the finish line.  I finally mustered up the courage and was able to finish the race but I was almost 30 minutes slower than my PR which was at my previous race.  The ah-ha moment of why I was so absolutely petrified!!!  Well it was time to just GET OVER IT! 

We set out for the run on the street and circled back to my favorite trail.  My first 4 miles felt really good.  I have a nice even pace, not varying more than 2 seconds either way for each mile.  I was really pleased with myself until I realized that where I thought I had routed myself to be at 5.5 miles I had just hit 4.  I immediately started mapping my route out in my head trying to figure out where I could increase mileage and how I was going to get to 9.  At this exact spot on last Sunday I had felt confident, capable and was excited about the rest of my run.  This week I was in panic mode.  I got my freak out under control pretty quickly and decided I would run further out on the trail (a part of the trail I was trying to avoid because its boring and buggy) and I'd figure out the mileage as I went. 

All along the trail they have these signs about 1000 feet before a break in the trail where a road crosses.  I think they really need to think about their wording for these signs.  They look very official and I frequently consider whether I have an obligation to obey them!!  Usually they make me smile and I carry on with my run.  Today they were all staring at me, as if giving their permission to lie down and take a nap.  I'll take my grievance up with the town of Victor, NY at the earliest opportunity as I'm sure they must be interested in what I have to say :)

I passed this bench at about 6.5 miles in.  On mother's day when I passed it I begged to sit down!

Miles 5 and 6 were pretty steady and still right on pace with my first 4 and I was feeling decent.  I wasn't in the zone like I had been last week but I still felt pretty solid.  I actually started to laugh at myself for being so nervous about this run.  AND THEN MY STOMACH DECIDED TO CHIME IN.  Obviously last night's jambalaya wasn't my best choice but I haven't ever experienced stomach problems during my runs.  I have been known to have stomach rot after a long run or a race.  Apparently this can strike while on the path as well.  I decided the fastest way home was to run anyway and just slowed a little bit to see if it helped.  It didn't.  I walked a little bit but my stomach started cramping when I slowed down so I picked the pace back up. 

I ran thru 7 and turned back around at 7.5 figuring I was about 1.5 from home and knowing I would hit 9 right as I rounded our corner.  I was about 90% confident with the distance and thought that if i came up short I could just run around the block to make up the difference.  At no point did it occur to me that I was further than 1.5 from home.  Here's where it all goes downhill uphill!  As i rounded to finish the rumbling in my stomach started gurgling like Mount Saint Helen and the cramping was intermittent but painful.  I muscled through the rest of mile 7 and into mile 8.  I was struggling but I knew I was so close to home and I was sure I could push myself for another 11 minutes.  There were people far worse off who suffered far worse for far longer than that.  I would make it.  When the pleasant woman on my GPS announced I was at 8.5 I felt pretty good.  I took a moment to take stock of my surroundings and immediately realized I was quite a bit further than a half mile from home.  I trudged through the last of mile 9 and finally made it home. 

I ran everything but about 8 minutes spread across the last three miles.  When I hit the driveway I was elated to be home.  I was annoyed at myself for making a poor dinner choice as well as for misjudging the route so poorly.  I was in a generally negative mindset.  and then I realized something....  I had run 9 miles.  I'd also done myself an enormous favor:  I'd hit almost 10 and now I knew I didn't have to worry all day next Saturday.  No need!  I already knew how it felt to fight my way to 10.  Now I can sit back and enjoy the rest of this week preparing to run the same distance as I did this weekend.  Surely it will be better the second time around.  At the very least I'll skip the spicy dinner and avoid a stomach revolution :)

I think I had an extremely appropriate shirt on for my run this morning.  It reads: "PAIN is worth the GAIN".  it's made by ViewSPORT and hidden motivational messages are sweat activated on the back of the shirt.  I promise they aren't paying me to tell you that we are huge fans in this house.  Between the Hubby and I we own about a dozen of them.  Keep your eyes peeled later this week for a giveaway as I was fortunate to get a great deal on the shirts we ordered and we have an extra on I intend to give to one of you :)

Regardless of the fact that today was not my best time, or that it will not be remembered as one of my great running moments, it was a success.  I ran.  I got my mileage in.  Most of all, I learned not to eat jambalaya before a long run!!

QUESTION:  DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING THIS WEEK?  HOW WILL YOU USE IT AS MOTIVATION OR TO IMPROVE FOR YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE?