Like a shark circling its prey, I stuck very close to my car today. I went out with the goal of running 10 miles in the rain with the F’N Running Club:
However, it didn’t take me long to realize that my legs were dead and weak from being sick and I needed to stick close to the car. The car being my life line & safety net! This is exact opposite my normal MO. On a normal day, I would rather someone drop me off 10 or 20 miles from the house and let me fight my way home rather than keep running past my car and each time having to talk myself out of getting in it and going back home. But I know my body and when it’s weak, it’s weak. I knew that my car had an emergency bag which “might” keep me going for 10 miles. Worth a shot, right?
First “Circle”: I ran 2 miles ( 1 mile out, then back), then stopped at the car to grab my calf sleeves, a sip of water & blow my nose on a tissue rather than my sleeve.
Second “Circle”: 4 miles – 2 miles out & then back. My legs were DEAD, so I took a gel, drank some water, shed one of my wet layers & grabbed my iPod….. yep, I was desperate. I honestly can’t remember the last time that I used a gel for a 10 miler. It’s been more than a few years. However, I did today and it was a life saver!
Last “Circle”: 4 miles – 2 miles out & back in the opposite direction. It actually felt okay. By this time the rain was coming pretty hard and it was difficult to stay warm but overall, I was pretty happy. The gel gave me the little boost that I needed to keep me moving and the music was a nice distraction. I’m sure it didn’t hurt either that I was almost done and knew that I could actually get in the car and leave this time! 🙂
My pace was all over the place. As I ran away from my car it was slow going, but as I ran back toward my car each time my body was fooled in to thinking it was done pace quickened. It worked. 10 miles complete. 9:30 pace. Not the norm but a total win considering how my body feels. I absolutely dedicate this run to my FL Ragnar Team. If not for them, I’m not sure I would have been strong enough to haul it up and out of the house today. In the cold. In the rain. When I really just wanted to sleep.
Don’t be afraid to change your game plan after you get out on the trail. You know your body. You know how you feel. Each day and each run is different. Sometimes, you need to stick close to home base (your house or car!) for practical or safety reasons. No big deal. Just get out there and do what you can do you, adjust the plan accordingly, and you “might” surprise yourself.
** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **
TooTallFritz 
Wow! Good for you for hanging in there and getting it done. Handy that you could run near the car for getting snacks, water, etc. I have done that too and it’s great.
It worked. Kinda a bit of a pain but it ended up working out for the best in the end.
Yes…you right on track…adjust! And…adjusting on the fly…reading the signs. Training does not necessarily equate with miles run…but rather…have to keep perspective on what the “effects” and goals and objectives were originally for the run…then adjust them accordingly to your mental and physical being at the time. You either gonna run less distance and at less speed…or manage the distance and just taper back on speed and toss in more walk or other forms of “breaks.” Actually…TTF…today….all you had to do was run your “easy” or maybe even your “recovery” run pace. Do you know what that is? Sometimes…too much focus on speed and pace…these are moving targets that depend on one’s current level of conditioning, there current physical state relative to their immune system, and the specific goal/objectives for that training run. There are 2 choices…abort and call it quits and save yourself for another day….or adjust the objectives relative to your state and be happy with it. Seems like you did ok in the latter pursuit…but still too much emphasis on pace. This morning…your pace mattered nothing for the books…just need to run it by feel and keep it easy! And…have to like you took advantage of tissue to wipe your nose and save your sleeve some nastiness! Ya the best…ya hung in there and did what you could!
My schedule is so tight, there isn’t another time to do a prescribed workout. I’m in a do it or skip it mode. There are no second chances. Makes me push thru a lot of times when I just want to hang it up.
Way to get the run done!! I ran a 10K today and am sick, it was rough, but I actually got a PR! YAHOO! Feel better soon.
Congrats!!
Great job, Amanda!! It was wonderful to finally meet you, but I’m sorry you felt so lousy :(. Congrats on toughing through the run on a yucky day while feeling less than 100%!