Pacing Issues

It was windy, cold, and flurries were coming down, but I did it.  I ran two miles.  What's the big deal you might think...haven't you been running for awhile?  Let me back up...

Saturday evening I ran 4 miles.  4 miles!  I was very excited because it was my first long run in awhile, and that run had officially completed The Puppy Love Run Virtual 5K.  I was even excited about my first instant collage I created using my iPhone:

I struggled with this run.  I think part of the reason is that I started later in the evening.  I also think that even though it was hours after I had eaten lunch, that my lunch was still sitting on my stomach and made running uncomfortable.  

I started reflecting on my run soon after it was over.  I was definitely discouraged by the pacing.  I know that during the Mini-Marathon there is a bus behind everyone that will pick you up if your pace is not fast enough.  I did some research and found out that you have to keep a pace of less than 18 minutes per mile.  This probably does not sound like it should be a huge problem. Well, for normal people at least.  This girl's pace is not where it needs to be!  In fact, here are my splits from Saturday's run:

First mile was great!  Miles 2, 3, and 4 were not so great.  I had even done some experimenting with the ratio of running to walking.  The first mile I was at 3 minutes running and 1 minute walking.  The other miles I did two minutes running and 1 minute walking.  

After I realized that my pace was super slow I instantly became discouraged.  Am I going to be able to complete the Mini-Marathon without completely embarrassing myself and getting picked up by the trail bus?  

Doubts have plagued my mind since Saturday.  I conferred with a friend of mine who is an avid runner and has completed a marathon even.  She has faith in me and thinks I can shave my time down to the required 18 mile pace.  She encouraged me to keep training and just work a little bit harder each time I train.  

Today was my next running day.  I was determined to keep my two miles on my training schedule to less than 18 minutes each.  I also wanted to make sure that I am tracking my pace so I had to run outside where GPS would work best.  I decided to take my running clothes to school and change there and run outside after school.  

It was bitter cold and windy and there were flurries swirling all around me, but I ran.  It felt good to run.  Was I able to keep my desired pacing?  Yes, I was!

My splits:

Not sure why there is a third mile...I only ran two!

I was elated!  I wanted to jump up and down and scream when I saw those!  I even broke a personal record:

I experimented with some different running intervals.  I tried running for 1 minute and walking 30 seconds for the first mile.  I then went to 30 seconds of running and 30 seconds of walking for the second mile.  I am still trying to figure out what my perfect running / walking combination will be.  

Time for full disclosure.  I had another crummy day today at work.  It has been one more on top of a whole string of crummy days.  I had already decided that I would do my run but then I would just stop and get some horrible, unhealthy meal for dinner for myself.  Because unhealthy eating will make it all better, right?  I saw this and laughed because it is so true:

Something miraculous happened while I was running.  The stress of the day started to melt away.  When I was finished, the desire for junk food had diminished enough that I could resist.  My desire for junk food had been replaced with the desire to just go home and make myself dinner.  And that is what I did.  I even had enough energy to grade some papers.  Maybe I will get all crazy and work on some lesson plans for next week.