#running post

It exceeded my expectations I had for myself. I’ve got back the fire and passion for the sport I thought I’d lost. And it’s not even solely based on the fact that my times are faster. I’ve just really learned to enjoy the process again. The training, the workouts, the long runs. I look forward to all of it now, because I understand how each component adds up to my ultimate goal. (of course being faster n in better shape helps tho, not going to lie).

That was all sort of vague. My indoor season went well. I’m content with it. I was finally able to tackle a PR that’s stuck with me since high school, my 2:21 from June of 2015. It’s gone now. I no longer have any PR’s from my high school days. It’s a new slate. I like it.

I’ve worked on stuff this season (ok this is being vague). In addition to some stuff, I’ve worked on actually giving each race I have my all. In the past, I’ve been able to coast through by giving each race a decent effort, most races I will try, but there would be a few races a season where I’d quit mentally during a race and not give it 100%. I’ve nipped that in the butt this season. At least towards the latter half when I really sat down and recognized what I was doing. I realized that all of my poor races were ones in which I’d let up a bit, or give in. And all my good races were ones where I fought to the finish. I obviously figured out which path I had to follow.

I think I have surprised myself a bit this season, but there's something about saying “surprised” that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t know if this will come off as cocky, but I’m not necessarily surprised by the times I’m running now. These are the goals I’ve been thinking about since high school. I’ve had faith in myself that I could reach them. Yeah they took a bit longer than I thought, but I’ve done it.

When people say that they surprise theirselves, it means that whatever they did came as a shock to them. I don’t think what I did shocked me. I’ve been working since October for this. I feel that saying surprised gives a bit too much credit to the luck/chance aspect of it all. Less credit is attributed to the actual hours of work dedicated to it. Not sure if that makes sense.

Idk I even feel a bit weird being happy about myself for running 2:16 in the 800. It's an okay time, but it's not great. I don't know if I'll end up deleting this post because I don't want to come off in a manner I'm not intending to. I don't think 2:16 is an amazing time, I recognize that I still have a lot of work to do if I want to really consider myself an 800m runner. Of course anyone who runs the 800 is an 800m runner, but I have these weird standards in my head for myself. I feel like I can't truly call myself an 800m girl until I run sub 2:15 or something. Which isn't rational but for some reason that time is benchmarked in my head as being fast. I guess because this is my blog anything I say on it applies only to myself.

I have bigger goals for outdoors. I worked this indoor season, but this outdoor season I’m going to work harder. I just have to keep on doing the little things. Actually start working on runs, no junk mileage. Whilst on the topic of junk, let’s try and cut out some junk food. Doing the little things, roll, stretch- properly, etc. They’ll all add up. That’s what I keep on telling myself.

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Friday morning.

4 weekday runs = 20 miles.