Heather's Training - Week 17

Training Day #41 - September 13, 2010

I know I’ve said this quite a bit in the last few weeks, but I can’t believe the lack of motivation I have to run. I kept running through my head of all the things I’d rather be doing tonight instead of running. Dishes, laundry, yard work, cleaning out my closets, wrestling an alligator with my bare hands. You know, all the usual chores. And I nearly talked myself out of running thinking I could run later in the week. Then, to my shock, I realized that I am only free today and Thursday to run, so it’s either now or never. Wonderful.

Off to the gym I went, and I thought maybe I would punch up the speed to try to get it over with faster. Wow, I’m really dumb sometimes. I kicked the speed to 6mph which should equal a 10 minute mile. I was able to finish the first mile in 10 minutes (I was haulin’ the mail), but the last 2 miles were back to the alternating walk/jog because I wore my ass out.

I hopped off for quick 15-25 second breaks more than I would have liked, but I did finish in 33 minutes. Seriously, can I pack up one of these treadmills and take it with me to run on? I’ll return it, I swear!

Wow, only one practice run left until the big race. I gotta say, I’m pretty damn excited about that thought!

Side note: There was a girl on the treadmill next to me that almost bit it when she started running. I felt so bad for her, b/c I know that I’ve come close to tripping as well. But, I still had to giggle. I didn’t feel so bad when later she was yelling at the Monday Night Football game going on, and annoying me in the process.

Training Day #42 - September 16, 2010

Last run before the big race. Wow. Am I really only 3 days away?

I wasn’t looking forward to running. I almost talked myself into just “resting” before the big race. You know, I didn’t want to pull or strain anything to keep me from running on Sunday. I nearly bought that crock of BS, but then I told myself I needed one final run. One final time to prove to myself I could do this. And I did.

Once my warm up walk was over, I set the treadmill at a steady 5.4 (no 6 mph this time!) and I took off. My mp3 player started playing Loud by Big & Rich and wow, was that an instant energy boost. I cleared my head, cranked up the volume and let myself run in time with the music. I became absorbed in what I was doing and didn’t even notice the first 3 or so minutes that went by. I repeated the song, since it was doing such a great job at keeping me focused and motivated. So much so that I listened to the song 4 times in a row, to round out my first mile in a little over 11 minutes. Holy shit. Who knew one song could be that much of a boost? It probably helped that I was choreographing a cha cha in my head while I was listening to it. I tend to do that with music that I hear...choreograph dance routines like I’m on Dancing with the Stars or something. Dorky? Yes. But, it’s effective.

I switched to a fast walk and walked less than a quarter mile before I ran again. I finished the final 3/4 without taking any breaks. Another quarter mile walk, and then the final 3/4. I did start to lose my stamina a bit in the last mile, and I had to break for 10-20 seconds here and there. But, the last 2 minutes, I kicked it up to 6.2 mph to make up some ground. I finished at 34:23. Mission accomplished.

I really can’t believe it’s been four months already. I clearly remember that day back in May when I started this crazy journey and how much I would have rather jammed a fork in my eye than run for 30 minutes. I remember how opposed to treadmills I was. Now, they’re more like that one family member everyone has. You’re not a fan of them, but you tolerate them because you have to. And eventually you decide they’re not all that bad. I remember all the nights I went to bed with pain in my shins and my knees. I remember talking to my sister about our victories and failures, and listening to her journey, so similar to mine. I remember the first time I ran for 5 minutes without needing a break and what a small victory that was. And then 10 minutes and then a full 20 (although that last one didn’t happen as often as I would have liked). I remember what it was like when my pants were starting to fit looser and I could salsa dance longer without getting winded. I remember what it felt like to hear my aunt had lost her battle with cancer. I remember why we're running this race. And why we went through this crazy journey.

I’m excited about Sunday, a little apprehensive as well. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m also looking forward to being finished with it! I can’t say if I’ll continue to run 3 times a week, but I don’t think I’ll give up running altogether. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a fan of the way it’s making my booty look. But I think I may take the next week or so off. Just to give my body a rest. :) We’ll see how it goes.

Wish us luck and the next time you hear from me, hopefully I will have killed this race. Watch out cancer, you’re going down! I’m about to open a can of whoopass on your....ass. Wait..... ;-)

And a big big thank you to my sister for giving me the motivation I know I never would have had, had I done this alone. And for taking the journey with me and keeping a record of it, even though I know she didn’t want to in the beginning. I love you and can’t wait to complete this journey with you.