Long Run for the Week

After homecoming was over on Saturday, I was super tired and didn't really think I would do the long run Sunday. I actually came really close to not doing it actually. I did errands all day and slept it and finally about 7pm I went for the run. It was cold, but thankfully the wind had died down a little. I was able to run most of the 12 miles which was surprising. I only walked about quarter mile spread sporadically through out. With having such a long week of activities and work, just running any is a small accomplishment. I'm not as sore as I thought I would be today, but I can still feel the affects of running 12 miles.

I have to head to NWA in the middle of the week, so I will probably one get in the Tuesday and Thursday runs, but we shall see.

First run of the week-5 miles

I didn't have a chance to run on Tuesday (because running at 1am after being at work since 8am and having to be back at work in 6 hours isn't a real option), I was finally able to get a run in for the week. It was suppose to be a 6 mile run, but I only did 5 miles. I know one mile doesn't seem that much further to run, but I through out the day I had walked about 3 miles (yes, I made that many full trips around campus yesterday) and my legs were killing me.

It was so odd and weird, I wasn't out of breath or cardio tired but my body was saying stop (especially my legs). The last mile was a mind battle to keep putting one leg in front of the other. Apparently, your body doesn't like to be standing for two solid days and then go for a run.

I'm hoping I will have some time to get in today's run. Its only 3 miles, so shouldn't be a problem unless I fall asleep on my couch.

Weekend Long Run

After a long day with family, I was finally able to get the 7 mile long run late at night. It was as bad I was thinking it was going to be, but still cold and long. I haven't run that far before in Durant, so it was interesting not knowing where exactly I was and how much further I had to go/had been.

This coming week is our Homecoming Week, so I'm going to try my best to get all the runs in, but not sure it will happen. Keep your fingers crossed.

2/11/2009: 5 Mile Run

I was able to get in the 5 mile run for today. Since it was relatively nice outside when I left work, I ran in the neighborhood before going back to work and then to the basketball games. I was glad to get the run in especially since I missed yesterday's run.

Tuesday was a complete disaster of a day for me, so needless to say I didn't get my 3 mile run in for the day. I'm hoping to get in the 5 mile run today (shortly actually), but we shall see what happens.

10 Mile Run!

After a very long day working all day yesterday, I wasn't sure I was going to get up this morning and actually doing the 10 mile run. Since I did end up getting up at descent time, I decided to just suffer through and get the run over with, what little I could do.

I did finish the run with only having to walk about a block, but the run did suck somewhat. It was extremely windy today (the wind was going about 15-20mph when I was running), and that made it suck. A majority of the time I had a hard time even hearing my music because of the wind, and when I was running up the hills it felt like I was running in place.

With all that said, I did complete it and I was glad to get it done and over with.

Running and motivation go hand-in-hand

I ran across the below article, hope you enjoy!

Running and motivation go hand-in-hand.

Amby Burfoot, executive editor of Runner's World magazine and author of numerous running books such as "The Principles of Running", states that "when it comes to staying motivated, running is a mind game."

Numerous articles, books, and news reports have been written on the externals or physical side of running (i.e. training, injury-prevention, nutrition, running apparel, running accessories, etc.), but far too little space and time has been dedicated to running motivation. I propose that we begin to reverse the trend.

Seek motivation first and the desire to run, and run successfully, will surely follow.

Let's take a look at several tips and techniques for you to obtain, maintain, and increase your motivation to run:

1. Set Goals
2. Utilize a Training Log
3. Implement the Buddy System
4. Surround yourself with Reminders
5. Be Creative with your Workouts
6. Set Completion Goals, Not Time Goals
7. Do more than Run
8. Visit a Running Store
9. Occasionally Enter a Race
10. Reward yourself when you Succeed

Set Goals

A great motivation technique is to set running goals for yourself so that you can monitor your progress on a weekly or monthly basis. As you are able to see your progress, your enthusiasm for running will soar.

Listed below are some specific goal setting tips:

Be specific
In order to stimulate your motivation, you need to be specific with your goal setting. Instead of saying you are going to set a personal best in a 10K road race, set a goal to improve on your personal best by 15 seconds in the next six months.

Set a deadline
Complacency and an attitude of "I'll work on that later" will set in if your deadline for achieving your goal is not defined. Add a sense of urgency to your goal by adding a specific timeframe and watch your motivation skyrocket!

Set realistic but difficult to obtain goals
Your running goals should be achievable and challenging at the same time. An unrealistic goal will kill motivation but a goal that is too easily obtained will lead to boredom.

Write and Review Your Goals
Writing down your goals creates your roadmap to success. Although just the act of writing them down can set the process in motion, it is also extremely important to frequently review your goals. Remember, the more focused you are on your running goals the more likely you are to accomplish them.

Develop a Plan and Work It
Develop a plan of action to achieve your running goals and then Just Do It! By taking the time to decide on the specific steps needed to achieve your goals, you increase your motivation and your chances of success. The final step is to get out there and work your plan.

Need some help setting your goals, staying focused, and working your plan? Check out Brian Tracy's Ultimate Goals Program. It will help you accomplish more of your goals, faster than you ever have before.

Utilize a Training Log

Keep a training log of each run. Record times, distances, time of day, weather, your pulse rate, progress toward goals and any other statistic or aspect of your running you might find valuable. A training log allows you to monitor your progress and learn from your mistakes. Many runners regularly review their training logs to look at the work they've done in the past to provide motivation for the future.

Check out the following for a Training Log I highly endorse: Training Log

Implement the Buddy System

Run with a compatiable training partner or running group. Finding others with which to run makes time fly, provides accountability, builds friendships, and provides mutual motivation on those days when you or your partner(s) just "don't feel like it."

Don't know of anyone to run with? Check out your local running club. A running club is a great to place to find other runners who run your pace. Running clubs include runners at every level and, if they don't, they soon cease to exist.

Surround yourself with Reminders

Sustained motivation is key to achieving your potential. One way to keep your motivation high is to find out what fires you up, and then surround yourself with it. Examples include: posters, quotes, photos, inspiring literature, biographies of successful runners, running books, running magazines, and videos. Place your "mental stimuli" where you can see it every day. Remember, as a man thinks, so he is.

Be Creative with your Workouts

Doing the same workout day after day leads to boredom and burnout. Alter your workout routine by incorporating some or all of the following:

• Leave your watch at home. Run for the enjoyment of it without worrying about time goals.
• Change the time of day you normally run. If you are a morning runner, switch to running in the evening and vice versa.
• Find some new running routes.
• Alter the distance you normally run.
• Challenge yourself by adding some speed or hill repeats to your workout

Being creative with your workout will add new life to your running.

Set Completion Goals, Not Time Goals

At some point, you just won't be able to beat the clock any longer. All runners eventually reach the point where they aren't going to get any faster. To avoid discouragement and possibly even quitting the sport, cultivate new running goals. Decide to complete a specific number of races a year or to complete a longer distance race. Whatever you determine, keep your running fresh, challenging, and new by setting some non-time related goals.

Do more than Run

To add a boost of motivation, incorporate some cross training in your workout routine. There are many other activities, other than running, that can increase your strength, flexibility, and aerobic conditioning. Mix in some cycling, swimming, in-line roller skating, hiking, cross-country skiing, or weight training. In the now famous words of Nike, Just Do It!

Visit a Running Store

Stop by a running store on a regular basis to pick up a race application, running accessory, new running magazine, or the latest running book. Your motivation to run will be lifted when you put yourself in an environment that supports your goals. Running stores thrive based on people like you who love to run. They are thrilled to answer your questions, give suggestions, and discuss your training.

Occasionally Enter a Race

Want to increase your motivation and feel the adrenaline of competition? Enter an occasional fun, local race. The spill-over effect will keep you motivated for weeks afterward and may even spur you on to enter even more races!

Reward yourself when you Succeed

Rewards can be a powerful motivator. When you do succeed, make sure to do something nice for yourself. Many runners who have reached their goal treat themselves to some tangible reward: a new running shirt, a sports watch, a meal at a nice restaurant, or a special trip. The ideas are limited only by your imagination. Bottom line: Be good to yourself.

2-5-09 Evening Run

Since it was still nice outside when I left work, I just ran my 3 miles for the day between work and now back at work. It was your pretty normal run minus the black lap that chased me for a half block (and yes the owners were outside watching it happen and didn't say anything) and the girl that yelled "run forest run" (which makes me want to start tanning to become less white). I did try to pick up the tempo a bit since it was a relevantly short run.

Done for the week until Sunday and a 10 mile run. I'm trying not to think about it right now.

2-4-09 Run

I was planning on going to the fitness center for my Wednesday run, but since it wasn't too miserable last night, I decided to run outside. I completed the 5 miles without any major problems (just slipped once on a hidden piece of ice that still hadn't melted yet.)

AM Running

In order to get today's run over with, I decided to get up early this morning and go to the fitness center and run on the treadmill. I went the 4 miles, but I hated every minute of it. It just reaffirmed how much I loath running on a treadmill. Next time I will have to mix it up between the treadmill and elliptical. I'm just glad I got it done and over with for the day.

FINALLY a Run

I didn't end up running last Thursday because I help setup up for the Cameron Centennial Ball all night.

However, yesterday I did do the 9 mile run first thing in the morning. Well maybe not first thing as far as time, but first thing when I woke up. I was able to make it a little over 8.5 miles before I had to walk a few blocks. Seeing how my longest run so far while training has been5 miles and I basically took a week off, not to bad to run all 9 miles but two blocks. I did run into Jennifer H. while running which as cool (I guess).

Anyway, back to work and this week looks good on the running front.