Jul 28, 2007

Contemplation & Negative Splits!

With just a few short weeks left until the CDC, I am faced with a decision. To run it, or to go watch it.

I missed 3 weeks of training due to travel and exhaustion (both physical and mental). The exhaustion was not due to running however, but due to other life events. So now I wonder, do I start the race knowing that I am not as prepared as I wish I was, or do I not start it and wonder what if?

I think that I will make my final decision come that weekend in August. Either way I will be in Chicago (It is my birthday afterall), but I just know that there will be a deep sadness in my heart knowing that I came all that way, had my friends rallied around me, and never even toed up to the start line. My main point is to go out there and have fun. So what if my time will not be a PR? If I make the run fun, then why not start it?

We will see.

On the running front, today I went out for a nice three miles. I did not obsess over time, and in fact I even left my iPod at home and just ran with the Garmin.

I managed to average a 12:01 minute mile over the 3 miles. In fact, mile 1 was at 12:10, and mile 2 was at 11:58. ;) And mile 2 had the most hills!!!! I ran negative splits!!!!!!!!


Did you hear me Coach Ken?

I RAN NEGATIVE SPLITS!!!!!


I am so geeked you do not even know. And my non-hilly pace was right around 11:30 - and that was my casual pace.

I think taking the forced R&R, coupled with me starting back in on lower miles is giving me the mental hope I needed. I had fun out there and really enjoyed those 3 miles of just thinking.

I am heading back out to KMP tomorrow to get in 5 or 6. This week I want to run 4-5 every running day, then next weekend do 8 or 9. The week after, is the week prior to the run, I want to get in a nice 3 or so... just to be rested for race day should I toe the line.

I can recover... I just need to get my head out of the sand. Buck up. And do it.

I hope that everyone out there is enjoying this weekend!

Peace. Love. And hotcakes.

~})i({~

RunnerGirl!

9 comments:

Full Metal Lunchbox said...

I know you'll make the right decision for you.

But for what it's worth, I'm also coming back after 3 weeks of almost no running--and I also have a half marathon coming up.  Let's both give this a shot!

Looking forward to seeing you when you are in town, by the way.

Jenniferlyn said...

Thank you Josh! I am very excited to meet you finally!

I think that we can do it. I am willing to give it a shot! I just need to remember to keep it fun, and not worry about time or pce... just enjoy the cenery, the people around me, nd knowing tht when I finih I will have accomplihed something great.

Yeah I think that my mind is made up - I think I will start it. I did PF Chng' with no training... so finishing really shouldn't be an issue.

Thank you for the vote of confidence! We can do it!

Backofpack said...

Just go for it! So what if you have to walk a bit, or if your pace is slow - you are still out there doing it and that is what counts. I vote do it!

Marcy said...

I absolutely agree with Backof thepack!! DO IT!!!! ;D ;D You'll have plenty of other races to PR in ;-) Go out and have some fun!

Awesome, awesome job with the negative splits!!

Steve Stenzel said...

Congrats on the negative splits!!! That's GREAT!!

MNFirefly said...

YOU CAN DO IT, GIRL! I promise you that you will not find more LOUDEST and OBNOXIOUS cheerperson EVER!

TNTcoach Ken said...

Sorry to chime in so late but I had a bike stuck to my butt for 300 miles. Now you are talking my type of training! It is so much fun when you can start slow and gradually increase the speed. Why can’t we do it all of the time? Now let’s have some fun with your training and racing! Great job!!!!

Unknown said...

I agree, go for it!!! Just have a great time. :-)

Ben, aka BadBen said...

Go for it!