does the good outweigh the bad?

Week 11 recap...

It seems like so many of my posts have been about bad runs. I had hoped to write about a great run I had on Saturday - completing my first real 20 miles run for this training season... well, first off, 5k races and 20 mile runs do not mix... I got up early to run before the 5k race and I was able to do 6 miles. Then came the 5k race and I decided that I would not try to see how fast I could run the thing. That was a good plan, since the race was mainly cross country and trails.

After the race, I got home to prepare for my remaining 11 miles, but my body did not feel up to it. I could not get myself out the door. It was already 10am, and it was getting warm out, so I mentally do not think I wanted to deal with any heat. I convinced myself that I would run in the evening - not exactly what Pfitz had in mind for the long run, but it was going to have to do.

Well, that didn't happen either. I felt sluggish the rest of the day - even after a 2 hour nap. I conceded that I would have to make up my mileage on Sunday even though I use this as a rest day. Sure enough, I kept it as a rest day. I still felt out of it and un-inspired. Steph asked me if my heart was really in this training for this marathon and I began to wonder... Physically I am getting prepared, but mentally I am not sure I am capable of it. I have until September 12th to decide if I am ready.

After today's run, I feel ready. I actually had a great run. I started out later than I wanted, but I only had an VO2 max run -- 8 miles with 5x600m at 5k race pace. I wasn't sure how it was going to go, but as I headed down the street I felt pretty good - not fast, but good. I ran to the track about a mile away and ran my 600m repeats. I was tired by the end, but even my slow jog was faster than expected. I finished my run strong - my last mile at 8:14... hmmm... So, maybe I can do this marathon thing again... I am looking at reworking my schedule on the weekends too so I can recover some 20+ mile runs. Next weekend is a 15k trail run so I am deciding if that will work into my schedule. I have until the beginning of October until I begin my taper, so September is going be a busy month.