RCJ.life

My long run this week was a 6 mile jaunt through Lake Merial. I had to run around in circles a few places to get the six, and I was dodging lighting and rain, but, I knocked it out.

My first month of training is complete. Here are my stats over the last 4 weeks:

• 15 running workouts, 2 cross training workouts
• 51.1 running miles, 12 stationary bike miles
• 10.5 hours of running (yikes), 1 hour of biking
• Longest run - 6 miles

Overall, not bad. I didn’t miss any workouts, but did have to move some around due to the weather and other issues.

One month down, three to go.

Doubt. It creeps up on you. It seeps into your mind. It undermines everything you do.

I am starting to doubt my ability to complete this half marathon. I am struggling. No where near where I was last year. I know it is early in my training. But, to be honest, it has been hard.

Did 5 miles this morning. I should be happy with that, but I am not. I was really slow. My legs and my lungs were hurting. Barely made it to the end. And I am not losing weight this year. Struggles abound.

And here comes doubt. Can I do this? Am I too old? I am nuts to even try this. What was i thinking?

I want to give up. I want to stop and just forget about this whole thing. That is one reason why I have put this challenge out here (and on Facebook, Dailymile, Twitter). Making the challenge public, makes it hard to quit.

So what to do.

One of my favorite movie quotes is from Castaway, Chuck (played by Tom Hanks) had lost everything after being air wrecked on a small atoll in the Pacific. He had even lost the power over his own death. Faced with the power of nothing he recounted:

I knew, somehow, that I had to stay alive. Somehow. I had to keep breathing. Even though there was no reason to hope. And all my logic said that I would never see this place again. So that's what I did. I stayed alive. I kept breathing. And one day my logic was proven all wrong because the tide came in, and gave me a sail. And now, here I am. I'm back. In Memphis, talking to you. I have ice in my glass... … And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?

So, I will keep going. Stick with my training schedule. Make it day to day. Because who knows what will happen. Maybe doubt will be chased away.

Wrapping up Week Two of official training for the half marathon. I end each week with a “long” run. This one was not too long - only 4 miles - but you have o start somewhere . . .and I am still building my base.

Did my first “long” run today - only 4 miles, but it took a lot out of me. Was breathless and lightheaded at the end. Ran the bridge - twice. Got off to a late start (about 0900) and had not eaten breakfast. Probably had low blood sugar.

Anyway, really really struggled at the end. 14:30 pace for a while - slower than walking :(.

Finished. But on the way home, I almost passed out. I stopped by the convenience store to pick up a Gatorade. Was really dizzy there. Honestly though I would fall. I asked the clerk if I could just sit down for a awhile. And I did. About 5 minutes - sipped my gatorade. Got some sugar in my blood - felt better. Still, it was a little disconcerting.

Finished my mileage. Finished Week One with just one missed workout on Thurs (work). Here is to a solid beginning,

Ran the Day One mileage today - only 2 miles. But it was hard. It was hard because I was on the treadmill. It was hard because it was later at night (about 2230). And, It was hard because I ate a giant Mexican Dinner at Peppers only a few hours before.

But .. . I did it! I preserved. I carried through. I was relentless - well you get the idea. . . .

Feel hot and sweaty and it is 10 pm . . . and Cheri won’t go near me because i stink

But I feel good about this beginning - Hope much more is to come.