1:28 hrs. At a pace of 12.22 and an average speed of 4.85. I can see myself "inch"-ing my way to a goal of 5.25 mph on average. That will help me complete the half in 2.5 hrs. Okay, okay I know speed is not important, I need to focus on finishing etc but hey! there's a certain fun in setting up goals and beating them or getting beaten up by them.
As a half marathon trainee I was only supposed to run 5.2 miles but then I had so much fun running with Amy alternatingly challenging her pace and trying to keep up with her that I decided to go the extra mile (or 1.8 to be precise). At every run I am surprising myself. Today I surprised myself by running the entire distance (albeit slowly but I RAN the WHOLE 7.2 miles!!) except for couple of water breaks. I never expected this from myself. Also today I ran without music, the whole time. Not even a single song! that's a first. I ALWAYS listen to music when I run. In fact until recently (even now I think) I use running as an excuse to listen to music. I remember the time when Vinu and I decided to run and I had forgotten my headphones at home and I panicked and finally calmed down only when Vinu let me borrow headphones from her place because I didn't know how I can survive a 30 minute run without listening to music! And today I ran 7+ miles for 1:28 hrs and NO MUSIC? WOW, just WOW!
Today was also a day on introspection. I finally decided that in the end the competition is only with me. Coming from me, that's epiphany. I have been intensely competitive throughout my life. I have always measured myself in terms of where I am vis-a-vis others but today suddenly I realized that here, in this trail, running, with NO MUSIC, that I am competing against myself. Against how I ran last time, last week, last year and how I plan to run next week, next month, next year. 1 day at a time, 1 mile at a time, 1 step at a time. Until next run....keep smiling.
As a half marathon trainee I was only supposed to run 5.2 miles but then I had so much fun running with Amy alternatingly challenging her pace and trying to keep up with her that I decided to go the extra mile (or 1.8 to be precise). At every run I am surprising myself. Today I surprised myself by running the entire distance (albeit slowly but I RAN the WHOLE 7.2 miles!!) except for couple of water breaks. I never expected this from myself. Also today I ran without music, the whole time. Not even a single song! that's a first. I ALWAYS listen to music when I run. In fact until recently (even now I think) I use running as an excuse to listen to music. I remember the time when Vinu and I decided to run and I had forgotten my headphones at home and I panicked and finally calmed down only when Vinu let me borrow headphones from her place because I didn't know how I can survive a 30 minute run without listening to music! And today I ran 7+ miles for 1:28 hrs and NO MUSIC? WOW, just WOW!
Today was also a day on introspection. I finally decided that in the end the competition is only with me. Coming from me, that's epiphany. I have been intensely competitive throughout my life. I have always measured myself in terms of where I am vis-a-vis others but today suddenly I realized that here, in this trail, running, with NO MUSIC, that I am competing against myself. Against how I ran last time, last week, last year and how I plan to run next week, next month, next year. 1 day at a time, 1 mile at a time, 1 step at a time. Until next run....keep smiling.
