On Monday I posted this on Pinterest (please follow me and then teach me all about Pinterest because I have no clue):
I follow this about 99.9% of the time but it’s ironic that on Tuesday morning I crapped out on my last tempo mile. The plan was to run 10 miles with 4 miles around MP and 4 miles around 7:45 pace. The 4 MP miles were easy, and we (my neighbor was running with me) averaged around 8:05 pace…so faster than MP (maybe that was my downfall?). The next miles (7:45 pace) were harder but doable. We came up on a section of trail that was flooded so we moved over to run on the muddy grass and it slowed us down. Once I transitioned back onto the paved trail I could not pick up the pace again. My legs didn’t want to move any faster. I cried uncle and did a 2-mile cool down instead. At least I was able to get in 3 miles at 7:45ish pace.
I’m not a robot and have to throw in the towel sometimes. It did bother me that I didn’t get that last mile in but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter.
So I can’t NOT talk about The Bachelor season finale. I can’t believe I gave up an hour of sleep to watch it (on the plus side, I need to visit Switzerland immediately!). I kinda had a feeling he would choose Courtney. Courtney did seem really excited about the ring – errr, proposal. “It feels so heavy on my hand, Ben.” That’s a completely normal statement seconds after getting engaged, right?
Boston Week 10 Recap
MON: 8 easy
TUE: 11 tempo with 10 miles at MP – this was an awesome, confidence-boosting run!
WED: 8 easy
THU: 8 easy with 5 long hill repeats
FRI: rest
SAT: 15 with 13 miles at MP – another good run!
SUN: rest
50 miles total and the taper is within my reach! 2 1/2 weeks of hard work left and then I get to rest my legs. I really can’t believe Boston will be here so soon. I’m starting to freak out a bit and get excited!
Do you give up easily on training runs or races? I don’t on training runs but if I’m having a bad race day and I know I won’t PR, I will sometimes throw in the towel. It’s a terrible habit thinking that a PR is the most important thing. You can learn so much from bad races.
If you watched The Bachelor, gimme your thoughts!
I always try to tough it out even if I have to run really slow and walk some in training runs when I feel like crap. Sometimes it may not be worth it. But, with races, though I’ve been tempted to stop, I never do and am always better for it. You are right, there ARE lessons in those as well, but you won’t learn them if you quit!
I never train at specific paces like you, but I rarely give up on mileage goals if I have a training plan. I’m too stubborn for my own good. 🙂
Oooh, the Bachelor is my guilty pleasure! I really do think they love each other, but at what point did Courtney NOT think karma would get her back? I noticed that she seemed more excited about the ring than the actual engagement. Plus, what kind of dress was she wearing?! No wonder she’s called “The Black Widow”. My family and I went to Zermatt last year—so beautiful! If you want to practice hills, there’s the Zermatt Marathon: http://www.zermattmarathon.ch/.
I’ve called some training runs halfway through when it’s clear I’m having a seriously off day. Races are a different story though. I’ve never had a DNF although there have been several times I wanted to drop out. I think you’re right that we can learn really valuable lessons from bad races plus my though is, if I throw in the towel this time, won’t it make it that much easier to drop out next time?
Sometimes you just have to throw in the towel like that. Your mind wanted one thing, but your legs another. And like you said, in the grand scheme of things, you’re just fine!
Can’t believe Boston is so darn close!
I for sure give up in bad races. If I am having a bad day..what’s the point. I guess you could call it a bad attitude, but I think it’s different. Some days just aren’t your day and why put yourself in additional pain…my opinion.
I want to go run the Geneva Marathon now!!!!
Of course Courtney was happy. She was …. #WINNNNING
I’ll slow down in a training run (and I’ve cut a few short, but I don’t have any real goals right now), but in a race, I’m going to give everything, even if no PR is in the works. My race pace may be slower than I want, but my effort level will still be there. Unless, of course, I’m intentionally running a race for fun or I’m actually hurting in a way that’s affecting my running.
I have a very hard time maintaining specific paces in training but I pretty much always hit the mileage I have planned.
The Bachelor makes me crazy!!! I get annoyed at myself that I get sucked in every time–definitely a guilty pleasure. Since these relationships rarely work out, I guess it is good that he picked Courtney. (Shocking that he picked the model that got naked two weeks into it, isn’t it?!)
sometimes if I’m not into a run mentally, I throw in the towel. Like you, this usually doesn’t happen and I push through it. But sometimes you just have to know when to say when. And that’s ok!! Looks like you had a good week otherwise and it’s almost taper time! Yay!
aaaand I don’t watch the bachelor!
I try to make “giving up” the exception and not the rule – which is what it sounds like you do, too! You’re right, in the grand scheme of things, one mile is nothing.
And, omg I want to be on the Bachelor just for the trips!!! Its so bad, it’s good. You can’t stop watching. You just can’t.
I just followed you! ;o)
I think we all have those days where we give in a little. Still, you had an amazing run. You really do inspire me. I try to always do my best… some days are harder than others. (okay, A LOT of days are always harder for me).
Dude. You KNOW I watched the Bachelor finale AND the After The Final Rose crap. Oh man. What drama! I have to say, though, they do seem cute together but she has a psycho-streak in her that could really kill their relationship. Hopefully not. And did I tell you my little sister (who grew up in Napa) is friends with Ben and couldn’t believe he was the Bachelor. She says he was a nerd growing up but that he’s always been super nice. So funny.
I give them a 30% chance of making it. Just sayin’…. the show’s record isn’t all that great. 😉
I generally follow the same rule as you and follow through with my planned workout; however, I also need to listen to my body too. I learned this the hard way when I got sidelined with hip issues a year ago. So now, I quit workouts when I feel twinges or pain or feel so tired that I know (a) either finishing will cause me to wear out already worn out muscles or (b) when I know that I need to rest to prepare for a bigger and faster workout the next day. It’s not an easy call to make but I am not made like some people who can run 6 days a week and be ok. I need my rest.
Sometimes you need to listen to your body. I went running today and really wanted to cut it short – my legs felt SO heavy, but I thought of everyone who blogs about bad runs and pushing through, so I got the last mile (but I’m also talking about a grand total of 4 miles at a slow pace…a little different than 7:45!).
I need to start watching the Bachelor…I love guilty pleasures 🙂