Seems like no matter when I run these days, it is in the dark....today was no exception. I ran when I got home from work and at 5:15-ish it was already dark. Amazing. I even turned the Christmas lights on before I went on my run. The good news is that the weather was great and I got to wear shorts. Yippee. I ran 3 miles in 8:28 pace, which is great for me. Really felt good overall, except for a slight twinge in my lower back at about the 1.5 mile mark...it subsided after about 1/2 a mile. I intentionally went a little faster than normal, to try to get my body used to running at a slightly faster pace. The Jingle Bell run in in 4 days, and it is a four miler. If I could keep this pace up for 4 miles, I would be ecstatic. Lately I've been listening to the Phedippidations podcast during my runs and they are pretty entertaining. The guy records his podcasts during long distance runs, which is pretty amazing. On today's episode (an old one actually, as I'm working my way through the archive) he talked about the mental aspects of running, and I couldn't agree more that there is a lot about running that involves the mind. When my mental state is there, it doesn't even matter how my body feels most of the time. Today my mental was good, as was my breathing and body. Those are the three things I try to pay attention to when running, and when they all three click, then it's a great run.
5 comments:
You are sure right about running in the dark being a big part of running this time of the year. I'm really lucky that I'm able to run outside in the middle of the day from work.
Great job with the run. Mental focus is the most important part of athletics and usually the most underappreciated and undertrained.
Thanks for visiting my blog! I did enjoy looking through yours as well.
The Virtual Run looks fun and I think it will become more clear as more people get involved.
I swear I think it's dark 24/7 between going to work and coming home when it's dark!
I love listening to podcasts on my long runs
i ran last night and got to look at christmas lights too! i guess that is one positive about it being dark so early.
great job on the runs! running is such a mental game.
Thanks for leaving a note on my blog - you must have found me through Lisa in San Diego! (I saw she follows yours.)
Welcome to the land of running blogs, I like you can't imagine running 7 minute miles, although my brother does. I run slower than you, and tend to like the longer distances, although I am thinking the half marathon is my favorite. I did one marathon and it was a very LONG distance, but fun. Not sure I want to do it again because of the time to train. There's nothing wrong with deciding you're absolutely fine to not do one!
By the way I like your red morning light - I wear a headlamp myself.
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