This was a huge week for me in terms of running. Well, and other things also, since I just started my full time job last Monday! Not only did I do the Hershey half marathon with a pretty big PR, I also ran the furthest distance I’ve ever gone. And actually felt pretty good about it. This marathon thing is starting to feel at least a little bit less impossible than it did before.
Two short runs and a 17 mile long run this week. I had already signed up for the Hershey half marathon long before I knew it would be a 17 mile run this week. After consulting with some of the running groups I’m in on facebook, I decided to run the 13 miles for the half and then do 4 miles afterward. I’d do it as soon as I could after finishing.
My first 30 minute run this week I did in Valley Forge and it went really well. Some days I just really feel good about running, and this was one of those days. I kept a pretty awesome pace for 30 minutes even with all those Valley Forge hills!
The second short run of the week I did after work on Friday and just decided to run around the neighborhood by the library. It was an okay run but I knew I was tired from the long week and didn’t have a lot of energy. Plus, I wasn’t used to running in that area so I didn’t anticipate some of the stop lights that I had to wait for and lack of sidewalks in some areas.
For my long run I started with the Hershey half marathon. You can read all about that experience here if you’re curious, but it went really, really well. I felt amazing during this run. And then I took about a 5 minute break and ran 4 more miles. And still felt really good. For the first time I felt like I could keep going after my mileage was in. That maybe a full marathon isn’t totally impossible. Painful, yes – I have no doubt it will be. But can I finish it? I think, right now, I probably can. So this really felt like a bit of a turning point in my run training. Hopefully I can keep it up in the coming weeks.
Have you ever practiced or trained for something and found a turning point like that?
Congrats! Is the Hershy medal edible? Looks very chocolatey!
How’s the new job?
While the medal isn’t edible they did pass out some chocolate on the course! 😉
I love my new job, but they haven’t hired a replacement for my old job yet so I’m basically doing two jobs at once which is stressful! I’ll be glad when I can focus just on the new stuff.
Way to go on your training!
Thanks Tayler!
That’s so awesome about your training! the longest I’ve ever ran was 6 miles– I don’t think I could ever accomplish 17, let alone a full marathon. Props to you!! 🙂 Good luck on the rest of your training!
Thanks! Every time I run further than I’ve gone before I feel beforehand like I’ll never be able to do it, so you never know!
Holy Cow! You go runner girl!
I love that feeling when you strap on your shoes and then just surprise yourself with how far you can go (not that I’ve ever run ANYWHERE close to 17 miles. The farthest I will even consider is 10)
You’re gonna get there!
xxox
Laura @ http://www.cookwineandthinker.com
Thanks! 10 miles is still really amazing. There was a time when I never thought I’d be able to do that many and now I’m aiming for 26!