Milestones...

...can be both motivating and intimidating as HELL.  Today, I faced down the intimidating side of hitting a milestone.

"How can that be?", you may ask.  "Closing in on a milestone is always motivating."

Yeah, they usually are, but sadly I must confess that for some reason when I'm close to a milestone I start to feel run down and interested in doing ANYTHING but running.

This week, I've been in the final stretch of hitting 500 miles for the year.  It would make me the first SW29 runner to hit that mark for the year, in the Run the World quest.  It would also mark about a quarter of the way to one of my goals for the year - 2017 in 2017.
As of this morning, I was about 11 miles short.  So, I planned on 5 miles today and 6 miles tomorrow...allowing me to hit the milestone before my birthday on Saturday (no special significance there, just a place on the calendar to reach for).

For the life of me, I could not find the motivation to get out and do my 5 miles  today.  I avoided it by - working (well, I really needed to do that anyway), going grocery shopping, stocking the beverage center for a party this weekend, having lunch with the husband.

While shopping, I texted my accountability partner (and bestie) about the motivation drain I was experiencing.  She yelled at me (yes, she really did) and told me to get my ass out there and just do the 5 miles.  Even if I had to walk it.

Over lunch, however, I knew that even if I hit the 5 miles today, I'd still face the drain tomorrow and find 20 excuses to skip that workout.  Solution?  Pull my long run forward two days and JUST GET IT DONE!

So, I pulled on my running shoes in, quite possibly, the hottest part of the day, and got to it.  5.5 miles out, 5.5 miles back.  Quite literally, from one side of base to the other.

It wasn't easy.  I've put my body through a lot this week (I'll post this week's workouts at the bottom of this post).  Oh, and my pace and will to continue tanked as I turned back for the final 5.5 miles, straight into consistent 17mph headwinds. 

Hitting 500 miles - however - getting to add those miles to my running log and email it to the SW29 administrators, was so worth digging deep and overcoming the lack of motivation to get out there and just do it.

Do you ever have trouble finding the motivation to complete a workout, or get it started in the first place?  Do you have an accountability partner to kick your ass when you need it?  I'm happy to be that for you if you currently lack one.  You can email me anytime at stacie@runstacierun.com!  Happy trails!!!

2017 miles to date:  500.16 miles

Observations:  I'm feeling a little stiff from extra strength training this week...oh, and my pecs are screaming at me with every running stride.  Ha.

WORKOUTS THIS WEEK

Monday: easy run & track work - 400m, 800m, 1200m, 1600m ladder with 400m rest between

Tuesday: mile warm up, 2 strength exercises, treadmill mile (repeat the exercises and treadmill mile for four rotations)

Wednesday: track workout - 1 mile warm up, 6x100m w/ 100m rest, 4x200m w/200m rest, 2x400m w/ 400m rest, 3/4 mile cool down, strength training, easy run in the evening

Thursday: long run!

 

 

Dedicated and determined...

Milestones are important.  They demonstrate forward progress.  They are an acknowledgement of achievement.  They validate and reassure.  Passing by the 500 mile mark (and 600 miles before this weekend is up) evinces my dedication and determination to be a better runner.

I may not be the definition of a dedicated and determined runner.  Sometimes I pass up a run to take the diva and baby K to the playground.  Sometimes a workout session gets sidelined because the office calls.  Sometimes the weather app on my phone tells me it's just too hot outside and I'd rather read a book. 

But here's why I believe I'm the picture of a dedicated and determined runner.  I love running and, no matter what, I always come back to my running shoes.  It's as simple as that. 

That love of running sends me back out in my running shoes time and time again.  The thrill of finishing a race strong...the knowledge that my body and mind work together seamlessly...the setting of and hitting goals...the joy of excitement when my daughter asks how my run went. 

Tying on those running shoes and taking that first step out the door day after day, in cold weather and hot weather (it was near 100 degrees yesterday when I ran), through sickness and during stressful days - that is dedication and determination.

So today, as I head out for yet another hot run, I'm digging deep to find that determination to keep going and relying on my dedication to my sport to push all the way through to the end of the run.  Happy trails!!!

2015 miles to date:  586.86  (I'm still in the hole against where I believe I should be for the year so far, but I'm closing that gap as my monthly mileage totals are back to pushing over 100)

Observations:  Right now I'm battling pain in my SI joint.  This flair up of the old injury happens a couple times a year.  It doesn't stop me from running.  Actually it pushes me out the door because running is one of the few activities that seems to ease the pain...seems contradictory.  It will pass.  It always does.  In the meantime, I'm feeling like I've finally hit my stride for the year and am on an upward trajectory toward hitting my goals.