This run seemed to avoid me over the last couple of weeks as schedules didn't mesh and stomach issues arose. Its been tough trying to get to this milestone, but I finally got there and I feel like I've accomplished a significant goal on my running. I feel like i'm close to being ready for first half.
I started out as slowly as possible, which was about a 12:15 pace. I actually still felt that I wasn't going slow enough... So I slowed down even more in my second mile and by that time my average pace was 13:55 or something similar (I could've easily just looked it up, if it weren't for technology... But I'll get to that later).
Miles 2-5 were a breeze... It felt like a regular weekday run, where I normally do between 4-5 miles. By this time, I had been running for about 51 mins as I checked the Map My Run app on my phone. I took an energy gel and kept moving. I deliberately reassessed how I was feeling around mile 6 and I was feeling good.
I don't know what it was, but mile 6-7 seemed like it would not end. I don't know whether it had something to do with this specific portion of my route being new or what, but time seemed to move slower.
I noticed a gas station and felt like I needed to get water, so I went in the gas station, purchased a .99 water and continued my journey. That was my only stop, I'm pretty proud to say...
Because running nonstop is important to me, I justified it as if I were to stop at an aid station during a race. So it wasn't that big of a deal.
What I did through this pit stop, was
confirmed, how much I don't like running with anything in my hands. This water bottle didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, but it just wasn't comfortable.
Its mile 7, and i'm staying steady. I don't feel like I am moving that slow, but i'm definitely not moving fast. I'm on the way back to the start of my run and I move through mile 8. I get to mile 8.5 and I realize i'm not too far away from my start. I've got to create mileage if i'm gonna get a full 10 in. My start (where my car was parked) was only .5 miles away. I decided that I would do an out and back of a mile.
I reached mile 9 and I didn't feel bad, buy I definitely wasn't fresh. "Only 1 more mile to go..." was my mantra. I had come this far, there was no way I was gonna stop at that point. There's something about that double digit number compared to, well, 9.
As i'm willing my way to 9.5, i'm counting in my head, what I feel the distance of each quarter of a mile should be. I felt like I reached 9.5 and it was 9.45 miles. I say to myself "whatever" and head on back towards my car. I figured the parking lot that my car is in would complete the ten mile distance. I decide to pump my arms as best as I can to open up my stride. My stride is opening, but I don't feel like i'm going anywhere. I don't quit, I won't stop until I hear my phone say my distance, time and split time.
Finally... The voice on my phone announces: 10 miles, muffled total time, split time- 11:54.
I stop the workout, get to my car, attempt to save my workout and begin driving home.
I get home and look to my app to review my stats and the workout is not there!!! What!?! All that work and nothing to show for it but sweaty clothes and a tired body. Unbelievable!!
Technology... It can be a great asset at times, but it can be an annoying thing at times as well. I guess the best overall technology is our bodies and minds.
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