Pushing Through

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 17:22
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route

Wow. I made some serious progress tonight! After skipping out on a run on Monday (it was cold and I procrastinated too long) I knew I had to get a run in tonight. I wasn't feeling very energetic or eager to run tonight, but luckily I was able to will myself out the door. I decided to go ahead and attempt 2 miles. Last time I ran 2 miles was November 10 when I ran an 18:49 (which was actually a good time for me on this route). Last week I made some good progress with my mile, and I realized that it wasn't going to take me that long to get back to where I was last year when I was running frequently before going on a 5 month hiatus. I've mentioned this already, but it bears repeating because I just can't get over how much of an impact it has made: my drop in weight, I believe, is allowing me to run faster now after 5 months off than I was a year ago when I was running 5 times a week! Tonight was proof in point. My 2 mile route in my neighborhood was one of my most frequent runs last year. But most of the time my times on it were slower than usual. For example, my best 2 mile time was on the Nisqually Route at 17:10 (August 12th, 2010), but my best 2 mile time on the Powhatan/Ottawa Route was 18:47 (June 29th, 2010). So when I finished my run tonight I was shocked to see a 17:22! I dropped 1:25 off of my previous best for this route and ran my second fastest 2-mile since May 2010! I must credit, again, my drop in weight as well as the fact that I never stopped. Last year, for some reason, I would always stop at the halfway point of this particular route. But tonight I didn't even entertain that thought. I felt strong for most of the run and I was determined to just push on through.

The run really did feel great. I switched back and forth from running on my heels to my toes. But for the most part I was able to maintain a strong form. I tried to run like a gazelle, light on my feet, rather than like a horse, clodhopping along; and for most of the run it worked. It took its toll on my legs, for as soon as I finished I could feel the throb in my lower leg muscles. I'm sure I'll be plenty sore tomorrow! I still can't believe how much time I dropped tonight. It gives me hope that I'll soon be in the 16s. It's still a long way off from my 12:53 PR, but I'm getting there. Tonight was a big step forward.