Each week, I try and extend the distance of my long run by 10%. I'm trying to get back to a comfortable 2hr run distance following a calf injury about 6 months ago.
This week the plan was set for the full 2 hours. I decided to run on the treadmill (not my favourite) because last time I did this due to rain the recovery was fantastic. The downside is that its boring - but I overcome this will TV shows on my ipad, and that I can't run as fast on the treadmill - something to do with my technique. I have to run by feel, not by speed which means I have to slow down the number of the pace. Never mind, I tell myself - long runs are not about speed, they are about endurance, about how long you turn the legs over for. In fact, slower is better for building mitochondria. As long as I do my two hours, the pace doesnt matter.
Except after 30 mins my calf was aching/tired, and I was worried about re-injuring. So I walked for about 5 mins, and then discovered if I slowed my pace even further, it didn't hurt. No matter - it doesn't matter how far I go in the 2 hours, it doesn't matter how fast, as long as I run the 2 hours.
Then I was interrupted by a visitor looking for hubby. Had to get off the treadmill, run and find him, and 10 mins later get back on. At about the 1hr30 mark I realised the treadmill was showing a different time to my watch - and then realised that the watch was out because of the interruption. Have to go by the time on the treadmill. No probs. Except then I knocked the treadmill and the timer re-set. Grrr. restart. How many minutes had I done? Exactly? And then I noticed I hadn't worn my pedometer, so my watch wasn't recording distance either (to upload my workout to my computee, it was only recording time, which we've already established was wrong). I ran another half hour, cause I knew I had seen some time frame after 1 hr 30, but what exactly I didn't know.
And now, at the end of the run, I feel totally disatisfied with my achievement. Even though in my mind, I know I must have run at least 2hrs, even though I watched an episode of the Mentalist (45 mins) and episode of the Good Wife (45 mins), and 30 mins of another episode (totalling 2hrs) - not having a solid record - a number in front of me that I can record, leaves me feeling disatisfied and almost cheated. Even though my legs are aching and telling me that I've challenged them, its not the same. Yes, I know, some people wont relate to this at all, but for me, it appears, everything is about the numbers! Are you a numbers person? Do you need them to be motivated or pushed?
I hope you like these numbers better!
Week 6 Results
1st Place - Kel D - 1.54%
2nd Place - Sarah U - 1.11%
3rd Place - Maree C - 0.89%
Overall
1st Place - Kel D - 14.01%
2nd Place - Julie R - 7.68%
3rd Place - Sophie T - 7.33%
Well done girls. You have some close challengers though - so stay on track over Easter!
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