Today’s Workout – Easy Run
Total Mileage: 5.05 miles
Total Time: 00:49:10
Average Pace: 9:40 min/pace
Today’s run should be titled “The Run That Almost Didn’t Happen.” Without going into too much detail this week is crazy stressful personally. I got off work and I wanted to just about anything BUT run. I had an easy 5 miles on the schedule and I turned right around and came home after work.
Thankfully we have a treadmill at home because all I could think is “you have no excuse.”
So I ran. I ran through my problems, through my stress, I just ran.
Training for a marathon is hard work. You have to stay motivated and focus each day you got out for a run. Yes, some days are easy and some days are harder workouts but every single workout is important.
You don’t always look this happy before, but it never fails to help me immensely after the fact. Running is a drug.
The hard workouts are important for hitting the speed, and the easy workouts are important for focusing form and food striking.
The biggest thing I have learned from training so far is to focus on the little things.
1. Stretching – you have already heard me say many times that you have to pay attention to stretching, especially after you run. It is always good to stretch and warm up ahead of time but the most important stretching comes after you are done.
2. Form Drills – I never understood the importance until now of form drills. I didn’t realize how bad my form was and how much it impacts how well or how hard my run can be. The worse your form the harder it is for your body to work. You will make your running so much easier if you just focus on your form.
3. Hydration – I learned recently that hydration doesn’t just mean drinking plenty of water. One of the things I have to focus on is to make sure that at least one of my pre-workout drinks contains electrolytes or sodium. This makes a huge difference in keeping me hydrated while running. If possible, I also make sure to carry some along with me.
4. Fuel – I work in a job that doesn’t always allow me the exact same eating schedule. I have to make sure that when I do eat, I am eating things that will properly fuel me for my workouts. At lunch I eat some kind of carb. I am careful to watch to not go crazy, but my body needs carbs to make it through my later day runs.
What has running taught you?
Any goals for the week?
Good for you. Running when its the las thing you want to do builds discipline. Thanks for the inspiration.
Aww thanks for the encouragement! It has definitely been a hard week but there has NEVER been a time where I regretted a run afterwards. Running really does change my mood completely!
You look great in your running gear! I can totally relate because I have a 5 mi run planned for today that I just do NOT want to get out and do. Mostly because it’s raining and that makes me want to stay inside and drink coffee all day!
I like the attitude of running through problems and stress. That’s a huge motivator for me to run. Good luck with marathon training!
Thank you Melissa! Yes some days are easier than others and some days you really have to force yourself out the door but for most runners that is the hardest part! Enjoy your 5 mile run!!!
Thanks, I needed this post today. My son has been sick the past couple days with an ear infection, so no one is sleeping at my house. All that to say I really do not want to run when I leave work. Glad to know I am not the only one who felt this way today and I hope my evening run gives me the same endorphins that yours did. 🙂
Hope you had an amazing run!! My run was hard and honestly sucked at some times – but I always feel great after! You got this!! Hardest part is getting out the door! 🙂
I can totally relate. There are so many days when I just don’t feel like running, especially when I’m stressed. After I run, I often think feels just a bit “roomier” — you know what I mean? I have a little space to let my mind think, a little perspective.
I completely understand! It feels like some of the stress goes away even though it doesn’t! I completely agree!