April 16, 2011

9 Mile "Bounce Back"

The theme for our new session of First Place 4 Health is Stay on Track and Bounce Back. The goal is to always be doing one of those two things. I definitely had strayed "off track" over the past few weeks so it was time for me to bounce back. I had planned on running Thursday (the next day after my meeting)...but it didn't happen. I also planned on running Friday...but that didn't happen. Instead I ate cupcakes.

This morning I woke up and I said to myself, "Self--snap out of it!" This weekend was supposed to be my 9 mile training run. My first half marathon is two weeks away and I knew that if I skipped the 9 mile run it would put me in a very bad place mentally. So I hopped in the car and drove 4.5 miles away from my house to plant my mid-run water bottle. I prayed. Hard. I just told the Lord, as if he didn't know, that I really needed this run to be doable. Not easy or pain-free but doable. I really needed to be able to run the whole thing and I needed to be in a good mental state and I needed strength. I needed to be okay with discomfort. I knew that all of that could only come from Him.

Just before taking off, I decided to leave my Garmin at home. It has been helping me track calorie burn, heart rate and pace, but today I didn't need to be concerned with any of that. I just needed to run without any pressure or anything pulling from my mental strength, if that makes sense. I didn't want to be looking down at my wrist and thinking I'm too fast...I'm too slow...etc.

As I began running, I felt good. I knew it was going to be a "good" run. Maybe some of you know what I mean. The rhythm was there from the very beginning, my feet and legs felt light and my breathing was really controlled. I was doing the shuffle thing that the Olympic runner guy tells you to do.

Toward the very end, the last 3 or 4 miles, my knees started hurting really bad. But it was almost like I was able to detach that part of my body from the experience. I know that doesn't make sense....it was like I could feel my knees hurting but that wasn't having an impact on my running. It just hurt. Usually when it begins to hurt I start walking a lot and I can't think about anything else but the pain. Instead of that today I was thinking about my breathing. I would ask myself  "Are you still breathing?" The answer was always yes and so I continued on. If I was struggling at all with my breathing I would adjust my pace and stride and immediately I would be back in control. As long as that part of me was in control, I could deal with the knee. Don't get me wrong--it was a very painful run. But it was doable. Thank You. Lord!

 So there you go--my first "bounce back" experience of the new session! Hopefully I will spend more time on track than bouncing back...but either will do.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi there! I am training for my first half marathon in two weeks as well!! Are you from Ohio?!

Keelie said...

No--Texas! Good luck!

Absolutely, Positively Josie said...

Always be staying on track or bouncing back? L.O.V.E. that!

And way to go!

Nicole Cabassa said...

I'm bouncing back too ... Trying to stay on Track ...
Luv, Nik

JadeAmber said...

Staying on or bouncing back, those are your two options...that's awesome!

alisonds said...

Well done on your run and for "bouncing back"!x

SkinnyMeg said...

Great job! I ran my first half in march in Mckinney and it was an awesome experience considering I've never been a 'runner'. I was so scared when I saw all the super fit people, but I prayed and just ran and ran and it was amazing! Keep it up girl!

Fit Girl said...

Awesome Keelie! Mental toughness is what is about. After doing two full marathons and falling apart at the end of both, it felt so good to do a half this weekend and actually feel good at the end. You are going to feel awesome!!! Superwomanish.

Kate said...

I haven't been able to run lately, and am looking forward to returning to it. This is an inspiration to me. No stats. No pressure. Just run. I'm looking forward to that.

Anonymous said...

Good for you. I myself do have problems motivating myself. I hope once I start the gym, I will be able to be more active. Keep it up, your blog is fun to follow. ;)
Janet