The Pursuit of Happiness, aka an 8:30 mile

I ran an 8:40 mile. I would like to repeat myself: I ran an 8:40 mile. Yes that is right, I am just 10 seconds off my goal for that ever elusive 8:30 mile. Monday after our workout, that is what I ran. I was so happy I could cry. I didn’t because I thought I was going to throw up/pass out because it was also 92 degrees outside.

Tuesday we did our workout and a recovery jog. Yesterday we did not get our workout in because we went out into the sticks to shoot some guns and drive around on the ATV and that was an all day affair. My arms are so sore from holding up a gun all day (I’m not a very large girl). I am currently sitting here, counting the seconds until I can leave and head to the gym. I think my obsession is at an all time high…

More to come! I’m getting a little better at this blogging thing. Maybe I’ll put up some playlists and a few of my favorites as time progresses. My computer at home is not the best so I don’t have too many playlists right now…

What songs are you listening to for your runs? Think 9 minute miles!

gym rat problems

 

There is no truer truth than this post.

Running for distance or speed?

South Florida is HOT. It is muggy and over 90 degrees even at 6pm. Running in the summertime is based strictly on survival. Most runners here have learned that the harder you push yourself in summer, the better rewards you reap in winter when the temperatures (and humidity) drop and the race season begins. I am struggling for an 8:30 mile. I would just like to accomplish that goal once. Everyday after the gym, the drill sergeant (also know as my boyfriend) and I head out for a one mile run to accomplish this goal. Notice I said AFTER the gym. The struggle is real guys. I’ve only been able to run one complete mile and that was at 8:50. The drill sergeant said that I now needed to go 20 seconds faster and repeat that 13.1 times…isn’t he nice?

I ran on Saturday morning with one of my girl friends. She runs at a consistent pace, generally arround 11 min miles. I love running with her because she’s steady, we have a great talk during the runs, and I can run all the mileage straight. I will continue my strive for an 8:30 as well as my distance runs with my partner. It’s all about perseverance right?

Mental Stability

In the wake of the reason passing of Robin Williams, this post really seems fitting. Williams was struggling with mental illness and took his own life. I was planning to write about how my mind works against me when it comes to pushing my body and it saddens me to think about how it can push against you in other ways as well.

I am slow. I just am. I have been working my butt off (at least in my head) for a faster mile but out of the 8 or so miles completed, I have only run 1 in its entirety and it was 20 seconds short of my goal time. This is plain depressing. I am constantly feeling the need to walk because my longs are starving for air. I will admit, it is South Florida where the humidity level always lingers around 80% and it is 80 degrees plus when I do my run (after my workout which is a Crossfit/cardio mesh). But I will accept no excuses. Today I am increasing to 2 miles. By myself. My running partner/coach/boyfriend is currently out of town so there will be no one to harrass me, just myself. My goal today is to prove to him (and myself) that I am completely capable of self motivating AND succeeding. My mind is my only issue. I know my body can handle it, I am fit enough, but will my mind listen.

So I leave you with this, what do you do to convince your mind to keep going?