Say hello to my lovely shins.
Remember when I mentioned last week that I haven’t been able to reach the 5 mile mark lately? My runs have been stuck at 4.0-4.5 miles for the past few weeks due to a combination of trying not to push my shins too far and getting tired.
Well, I ran 6 miles today–out of nowhere! I was aiming for 4 miles, thinking I wouldn’t even make it that far.
I won’t lie, the first mile was treacherous. At around 0.8 miles I was starting to regret my decision to run. Then I remembered that the first 1-2 miles are always the hardest as my heart rate climbs and my legs go from 8 hours of absolutely nothing (while sleeping) to hitting the pavement.
I haven’t run 6 miles since I was in London (over a year ago!!) due to chronic shin trouble. If you read LLE regularly, you know ALL about my lovely shins. Oh and I’ve never run 6 miles on land, which in my opinion is more difficult physically than running on the treadmill.
***
Perfect conditions:
1. It had been a whole week since my last run.
2. I took a day off from exercising yesterday.
3. The weather was perfect this morning. 60* F, a light breeze, and sunny. Okay, the breeze was a bit strong at times, but it kept me cool!
My route:
1.6 mi. to the WaDuke Trail
3.1 mi. on the trail
1.7 miles back to my apt
6.4 miles
I walked 0.4 mi. throughout the run (for some of the up and down hills) so it was exactly 6 mi. of actual running in ~59 minutes.
I’m not nearly as speedy as my some of my favorite runners, and probably never will be, but I hope to eventually increase my speed if my legs will work with me. For now I have to run the pace that my shins permit.
‘Run Stuck’
‘Run Stuck’ was a note that I made on my bulletin board awhile ago for a blog post. A few of you have emailed me asking about transitioning from running on the treadmill to running on land. Trust me, I am not a natural runner by any means. This is coming from a girl who ran (okay, ran-walked) a 13 min. mile in elementary and middle school due to severe asthma problems….and then wanted to vomit afterwards.
Aside from getting a Garmin (which motivates me a lot), and slowly getting used to changes in the terrain/wind, one of the biggest things that has helped me with running outside is running the WaDuke trail. When I am running on the trail, there’s no wondering how far or how fast I will run. It’s a 5K loop, so once I’m on it, I know I’ll be on there until I make it all the way around. That eliminates thinking about when I’m going to stop, which is something what gets in the way of my runs sometimes, especially on the treadmill.
On the trail, I’m not concerned about my speed because the trail is insanely hilly. The word ‘hilly’ doesn’t even do it justice…it’s mountainous 
. Therefore, I’m more concerned about making it up and down the hills rather than how fast I’m running. Although the Garmin tells me my speed, the hills are enough to distract me from worrying about my pace at all .
Essentially being ’stuck‘ on the trail gives way for reflection. Instead of thinking about the duration and length of my run (and how much I want to stop), I start thinking about LIFE. Before I know it, I’m done with the trail and thinking about running another loop (uhh kidding). Running on the trail gives me a big dose of mental strength!
Perhaps, there’s a trail in your area or a loop you can plan out ahead of time that can help motivate you.
How do you think through your runs? Do you have any strategies for getting through long runs?
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you! What a nice feeling! I recently ran my first 8k race and I was really worried about being able to finish it (without walking). But I got into my groove and just kept repeating “I am NOT going to walk. I am NOT going to walk!!” And then, on the last mile, I could see the finish line and I kept telling myself I was almost there. It worked!
great job on the run, allie! i love it when you surprise yourself like that.
Awesome run! I like to run in a big loop for the same reasons. And running outside is DEFINITELY harder but I find it easier to be distracted
YAY! Today was pretty perfect running weather–I am headed to do a few loops around East campus tomorrow morning:)
Congrats on the run! I love when I can surprise myself on a run and can physically do so much more than I mentally thought I could handle. Major accomplishment! I am certainly not a runner either but I have learned that running is as much as a mental feat as it is a physical one.
Wow, way to go! I have never ran six miles in my life. The most I have ran is 4. That is really impressive. To help me get through runs, I focus on my run in intervals. This way I am not thinking about how much longer I still have to run
-Court&Whit
http://eatngroove.wordpress.com
AWESOME job on the run!!!!! I can only imagine how amazing you felt after this.
Good for you hun!
Okay- it’s official. I AM JEALOUS OF YOU! You even looks super adorable when working out!
I also kinda get lost in thoughts on life and whats going on when i’m running. I totally agree that it makes it fly by.
~Christie http://rollerkoesterrun.wordpress.com/
Congrats on the great run! Way to get your groove back
I find my Garmin really motivates me too- there’s no room for slacking with it on!!
Congrats on the 6er!!! That’s awesome!
I usually just try to lose myself in my music or in a daydream until I can feel my legs “pick back up” again.
That’s awesome Allie! Congrats on a great run!
Congrats on the run! That is huge if it’s been that long since that long of a run! I don’t have any tips, I am just trying to get into running myself! I wish I had a nice trail to run around near my house. There is one kind of in my area but it’d be really long just to get there. I’m moving soon so I hope there is one I can discover that is close!
6 miles in an hour is no easy feat
you’re pretty damn “fast” to me!
Congratulations on making it the 6 miles! You must be thrilled with yourself. I still can’t run very far, but slowly and surely, I’m getting better at it. I agree with you that running gives you a great time to think. I find that I so some of my most in depth thinking, stressing and problem solving while I’m on the go. By the end, I’m usually more relaxed and at peace because I come up with some great resolutions.
I try to think of my long runs in terms of shorter distances, like six miles is just two three-milers, or three two-milers.
That’s more bearable to me for some reason.
Congratulations!!! It feels so awesome to do something that you can’t think you can do! You go girl! Just saw your granola bars on Kath’s website! Looks like you perfected your recipe. I don’t listen to music during my runs and I love it. It’s time for me to just think about anything and everything, or nothing at all.
Keep it up! I’m not as fast as I’d like to be either, but I think it can be done if you keep working at it! I’m going to focus on SPEED the next couple of months. NICE WORK on the 6 miles! I have a really hard time on long runs without a running buddy to talk to. Or podcasts (specifically “This American Life”) on my ipod.
I try to zone out and enjoy my environment during runs. that and listening to music makes the time fly!
That’s totally kick-butt! I don’t think I’m meant to be a runner — I do try but just never have enough fun to keep at it.
good job girl! the same happened to me today too. i had every intention of running for only a 1/2 hour (about 3 miles) but i just kept telling myself that another 15 minutes is nothing, then another 15. i made it to 6 miles today too
yayyyy 6 miles!! congrats mamacita
I’m so glad to hear you ran without pain!!! That’s the best!
Here’s a sweet way to celebrate
http://cookingweekends.blogspot.com/2010/03/gajar-ka-halwa-carrot-halwa.html
I saw this on Glamour.com and naturally thought of you.
wow great run!!! especially outdoors.. i need to start transitioning away from the treadmill but i just love it so much haha (i’m weird, but i love the treadmill, i feel it’s easier on my knees/shins and i love being able to not step off and set an even pace). maybe a garmin would be a perfect product for me!
i read somewhere that the first 20 min of a workout is usually the toughest, so i remind myself this when i’m running and will start off slow until i get in the groove.
you look so cute in the pic
is that post run? i look like DEATH compared to you after i run hehe
Yesss Runs like that are awesome! I’m glad your shins are feeling better!
I listen to a favorite cd or even sermons to keep my mind occupied when I run! But sometimes it’s nice to not have any music and just enjoy the day!
I’m not a runner, but I love reading blog posts about running. I’m considering giving it a try – thanks for sharing your runs!
YAY Allie!!! So happy for you since I can completely understand what it feels like to have your shins hold you back. What exact style of Asics do you wear? I just got fitted for a new pair and got a much more expensive model than the Asics I usually wear, but they totally hurt my toes! I fortunately can return them since they said I can test out on the treadmill at the gym, but I will be back to searching for the perfect shoes. You have totally encouraged me that someday my knees and shins will be better…hopefully…maybe.
So happy to see you on KERF tonight!!
YOU ARE SO AWESOME! Good job. I am so proud of you. I remember when I ran 5 miles last spring and felt so awesome for making it past my 3 mile marker and making it to 5.. Crazy how that sometimes happens. Thank God for legs!
Now if only I could still run like that.. you can be my inspiration.
That’s so impressive!! What a long distance. I am huffing and puffing after 1 mile!
Good for you for running again!!
Yay running! And that’s not a shabby time at all for including that MONSTROUS trail!! People ask how I can run for so long without music, but I mostly zone out and forget that I’m running, but my legs are still moving.
Maybe I’m just not thinking about it at all, but my mind is like a black hole whenever I run! (Unless it’s a TERRIBLE run, then it’s all I can think about!)
Good job with the run!! I have a passionate hate relationship with running BUT I have promised myself to try it again after the snow has melted
Yaay, well done on the run!
I think about loads when I’m running; what to cook for dinner, what music I’m listening to, work I need to do, conversations I’ve had….or I look through people’s windows as I go (:p love that one, it’s my favourite!) or just zone out. Good times!
What a great run! I hope your shins are OK. I did 2.5 miles on the ‘road’ at the weekend an am still in pain from it now! I find that running outside goes much ‘faster’ than on a treadmill as you do have a load of time to think about life. On a treadmill i always have one eye on the time / distance!
YAY!! awesome job on the 6!! sometimes I go out for 3 miles and end up doing 5, not often but when Im in the zone im really in there!!! you look so cute in your running gear too!!!
Awesome run!
Whenever I have a moment of feeling slightly overwhelmed and tired, I tell myself, “okay, setlle down…you’re going to be here for a while, so just get comfy.” It sounds silly, but it works for me. I keep my pace nice and even, calm myself down and really just try to enjoy it as much as possible. It usually gets easier after the first couple miles.
Great run girl! I don’t really do long runs. I always feel like I struggle a little to get to 4miles! I’m inspired by all of you that can do it!
Congrats on your run! It’s awesome what we can do when we just go for it–I do a lot of mental “talking to myself” on runs, lately just reminding myself that “I’ve done this before and I can do it again + more!” has been really good motivation to keep going.
awesome run!! and YES mountainous is the right descriptor
comparing my speed to susan’s = hilarious (she is about twice as fast!)
i would love to run w/ you on the wadu some time!!!
Great run! I love to think about things when I run. If I get really invlolved in the thought process I don’t think about what I’m doing. One of these days I’m gonna run into something and look like a moron!
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