Anyways, long story short, I stayed up too late on Saturday night and woke up again at 2:00AM feeling nauseous from not eating enough for dinner. I took a Gravol and went back to sleep hoping I'd feel better for my run on Sunday morning. When I woke up I was still feeling nauseous, but I really wanted to get my run in, so I took another Gravol and headed to my local run club for a long run. I had 13km on the schedule so I knew that I at least wanted to get that done, but I wasn't sure what the rest of the group would be running. I got there and the only two options this week were 7 or 18km. Hmm... Not ideal but I headed out for the 18km intending to cut it short somewhere along the way.
As we got going, I felt horrible and really sluggish. I was really starting to reconsider doing 7ish kilometers, but I never managed to turn myself around. I just kept going and tried to let go of keeping up with the group. When you run with a group it's so easy to chase or follow the person in front of you which works okay for a few kilometers but after that, things tend to fall apart if you're going faster than you should. I slowed right down to an average pace of 6:30/7:00km including my 10/1s. Within 1 kilometer or so, I found myself all alone but feeling a lot better.
I sort of had to laugh at myself a little bit because I know all of these things and yet I find myself making the same mistakes. I think part of my pacing issue stems from the fact that running has become a lot more social for me over the past couple of years and meeting lots of new friends. I often find myself trying to keep pace with people for fear of missing some good conversation but when you are so out of breath you can't talk, there's really no point ha ha. I enjoy running with a group but it is very important to remember that you are the only person that will get yourself to that finish line.
I threw away the route about halfway through and decided to do my own thing and even though it was a cloudy grey day, it was a really beautiful run for me. Sometimes all I need to clear my head is a couple of hours with myself and the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement.
In the end, I didn't really cut it short and ran 17km exactly, ending in the chocolate milk aisle of the grocery store!
It always amazes me how a run can end so differently than it started. If you're struggling finding your happy pace I urge you to head out on a solo run and see how you feel.
Did you run this past Sunday, how did it go?
It's funny how we all need different things at different times. I just wrote a post - the complete opposite of yours - about how I needed a change from doing all of my runs on my own. I just started a running group and we had a fantastic run this weekend. I too ran farther than I had planned. I guess this shows we all need to change things up a bit and a change can be as good as a rest. Btw, I headed straight to the chocolate milk aisle after my long run too!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, there are many times where a group run is just what I needed. Mmm.... chocolate milk, I want to go for another run today just to warrant some more lol
DeleteThanks for the post. It comes at a perfect time as I had my first run with a running group last week. I definitely fell into this trap and ran faster than I usually do at the beginning to keep up with some of the group. I paid for it later! I'll have to remember this the next time I meet with them.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, I needed the group to convince me that I could go that far, but once I started to get out for those long runs by myself and survived them, it gave me so much freedom! You'll learn and hopefully find some people who are a similar pace as well.
DeleteSounds like one of my typical runs after a bad night's sleep. I struggle with getting quality sleeps often. I am still trying to figure out the solution. I ran with a group last week too. Always great for a kick in the pants. I like to do my long runs solo because I like to tune out & listen to podcasts.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on some better sleep solutions, mostly getting up early and going to bed earlier, so far I haven't had that much success but I'm determined to figure it out.
DeleteI love group runs for the short distances and if there is someone who is close to my pace it can be nice for a long run as well, but the ME time I had on Sunday felt pretty good too!
I really like your new blog design!! It is really cute.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on getting out there and knocking out a 17 km run when you weren't feeling so awesome to begin with. The thing about training for longer events like a marathon is it really challenges you to figure out how to fix things when they aren't going well (as is bound to happen on a longer distance race). You did what would work best for you and went off on a solo run instead. Running with friends is really fun but as someone who does all of their long runs alone I have to say I really appreciate the me time to zone out and relax or just enjoy the day.
Great job Krista!
Thanks Leana!
DeleteAnd I'm working on your early riser tips! I love my "me" time and since becoming a Mom, running is that time so I'm learning to love the solo runs more and more.
The closest running group to me is a 45 minute drive so I tend to do my runs solo unless I can convince my husband to come along. He's much faster than I am (2-3 min/km faster) so I worry that running with me is boring him but he insists it isn't.
ReplyDeleteSo lucky to have your husband along with you especially being so far from a run group! :)
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