There was a lot going on this weekend in Tampa! We have a bit of a convention going on here this week…
Tampa is hosting the RNC this year, and it happens to be pretty close to where I live. There are police, national guard, and secret service all over the place. It is pretty crazy seeing uniformed men and women with huge guns walking around the streets. And then of course, there is also a storm out in the Gulf of Mexico, Isaac, that is churning things up a bit…
Luckily, it looks like we dodged another storm this time around. I was worried it was going to make our weekend crazy wet and rainy, but it actually pulled some of the moisture out of the air and cooled it off a bit here. I spend a pretty good amount of my weekend doing fun stuff around Tampa. Saturday I went to yoga at Lululemon…
And went to a food truck rally with Steph on Saturday afternoon!
I was even able to talk Meghann and Courtney into running with me a bit on Sunday for my long run. I had 20 miles that I had to get done, no matter what. I know that I needed the support of my friends to actually get it done. Luckily, I have some pretty amazing friends that are here to support me with my training. I went ahead and ran 10 miles, and then came back home to pick up both Courtney and Meghann. Courtney stayed with me for the remaining 10 miles, and Meghann pushed it through 6 miles with us. Thanks you so so much for running with me girls! I seriously could not have finished this run without both of you!
Sunday afternoon I was on Twitter, and was just going back and forth with a few people. Dori and I were chatting, and she said something that really stuck with me…
That part about the accomplishment starting over each time that you train – it couldn’t be more true! I am currently training for my 7th marathon, but each and every time I do a 20 mile training run, I feel unstoppable. 20 miles is a long, long way to run (especially in the summer)! And each and every marathon training program is still just as hard (or even more difficult) than the one before. I don’t get better from one marathon training long run in one program to the next. Each one is very challenging, and they really only get easier in the same program. For me, each time I train it is like starting from scratch. I take enough time off after each race, that I have to build my base back up, and then start again. The biggest difference is that I feel mentally tougher, which definitely helps in the marathon setting. Running is such a mental sport, so any help with that I can get is always welcomed with open arms! Thanks for bringing that up Dori!
How was your weekend? Do anything fun? Did Isaac ruin your running plans? Do you feel like the accomplishments start over each training program?
Glad Isaac is leaving you alone for the most part! I know what you are saying about starting over each time. I am training for number 11 right now and I seem to do something different each time. Makes it feel like a new event/adventure every time!
Great job on the 20!
That it definitely does! Kind of makes it more fun too!
I ran my first ever half marathon back in May. After the race I was so worn out I stopped running for a good month. I finally started again but felt horrible that I’m starting over from scratch. Being a fairly new runner it’s good to know that this is normal! So thanks! I’m looking forward to my next race and hopefully someday run a marathon!!
Congrats on running your first half! There are so many more races ahead of you!!
I’m training for my second half marathon and I completely agree with what you’re saying. I’ve had a few false starts (darn babies!) and each time I’ve gone back to running, it’s like a clean slate. I don’t think about what I was able to do before, only that I know I will get there again. It’s definitely made me tougher mentally. I’m hoping that toughness will help me get across that finish line a bit faster!
Definitely. I definitely believe it is the mental toughness that wins races! Or just finishes them
So true! Even for a half… when I was doing them 1x a month I never had to re-train. After I took 2 months off of running long distances it was like starting over. I just went for a 7 mile run yesterday and I felt a sense of accomplishment. It was kind of nice because for a few months 7 miles didn’t feel like a big deal but now it does again. I like that!
CONGRATS on doing your 20 mile run! You’re freaking awesome.
Thanks girl! And great job on 7 miles! Building back up is always hard!
so true it really does feel new each time! Maybe because i take time between races, not sure.
I did not particularly enjoy my time on the treadmill sunday
running the rain was actually pretty amusing if I hadn’t been carrying my ipod
oooh ouch! RIP iPod!