This is is how it started... I needed one more long run for my SweetH2O 50k training and really dreaded the thought of running 30 miles through my same routes. I needed motivation, I needed something fun, and I needed to run with people. Popping up on my FB page was the Guts Operation Endurance (OE) 24/12/6 hour run. Perfect! I can sign up for the 6 hour run and get my long 26-30 mile run, which would be my longest run at this point. Oh but wait, shoot! The 6 hour doesn't start until 2AM. Blah, no way, not starting at that time. Ok, I'll sign up for the 12 hour just so I can start earlier. Click, check, I'm in.
Mid story... This past month has been one of the hardest mental and physical blocks I have ever experienced. Sometimes I will have a week when I am just not feeling in the groove of things, my body doesn't want to move, and my head is not in it. I usually trudge through these weeks and come through the other side feeling stronger. But not this past month, yes... over a month of this! I have had to push every workout and every run. My last post pretty much sums up my whole month of training, pulling out mental toughness almost every workout. After a month, trying to constantly pull out mental toughness and motivation gets tiring. Knowing OE run was this weekend, I took the week easy and tried to rest. Friday came and I was starting to finally feel myself again. I was more than ready than to kick this funk to the curb. I got excited about running the next day and began making my playlist. Just the titles of the songs were pumping me up... I'm a Machine, Rip It Up, Hell Yeah, Let's Go... that's the vibe. Then I read a couple of blogs of some ultra runner women/mom's and I got really pumped reading their stories of realizing their potential through fitness and running. Body was rested, mind set was positive, kids were shuttled off, I was ready to do this run.
Ready, set, go... time to run. Did I plan to run 12 hours? No, just wanted to start early. Did I plan to run certain mileage? Kind of, I wanted 26-30 miles, it would be my longest, but considering the past month I would take what I could get. I ran. I felt good, no... great! I was having fun. People were great. My body was in a groove. Better... my mental block had cleared! I was pumped every step of the way! Finally, all my hard work and digging deep mentally was paying off. Where did it take me? It took me through 40 continuous, beautiful miles! Sure there were many others that racked up many more miles than me, but those 40 were mine. Those 40 were more than I thought I would accomplish. Those 40 are taking me to new places.
Can I get more of that? I'm already planning my 50. Losing the weak feels good!
 |
| The tally marks kept me pumped! |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a comment, let me know what you think!