Long runs are the days that runners are made from

I read a quote somewhere that said “Long runs are the days that runners are made from”. This is so true. 

We had our first ever over 10k run on Monday.  It was scheduled for Sunday but we were recovering from the Sole Sisters and all the junk we ate afterwards.  That being the case, we decided to run it Monday evening after work….and due to the fact that Twin 1 fell up her stairs and hurt both shins on Sunday….

The day was a little cool but by 6pm when we stepped out and turned the Garmins on the wind had died down and the sun was blazing. We assumed the trail would be cooler and provide us with a little shade once we got off the road route.  Between Twin 1’s and Twin 2’s house the direct route on the road is 5 or 6k.  We took the ‘long’ way through the trials which was 11k.

Twin 2 started out with shin splints again but they subsided after 5k. Twin 1 was hurting a little too but she figured if Twin 2 can run through them then so can she.  No complaints were made.  Twin 1 had to take a few walking breaks because she was not used to the heat/humidity and was almost ready to give up at 8.5k.  She pushed on. Monday night was a water belt night.  It was the first night we tried some Gatorade.  One bottle of Gatorade and one bottle of water.  We really didn’t feel like 11k would be that hard as it was only 1k past 10k and we’ve run that numerous times.  We were wrong.  It goes to show you that the weather can play a factor.  The ½ marathon is 11k return! Someday 11k will seem like a short run just like the 5/6k’s do now. 

As we ran on Monday instead of Sunday we were supposed to run again on Tuesday – our first Tempo Run.  Neither of us really knows what this consists of but it sounds like we have to run ‘fast’.  We did some research and think we have it figured out. 

Tuesday around 2pm Twin 1 got a call from the husband saying that someone was in their home when they were gone and took some cash.  Needless to say the run was cancelled but sitting here writing after the fact, maybe a run would have been a better option after it was all over as it would have been some form of stress release and may have made Twin 1 feel better.  I’m not sure you can ever feel “better” after you know someone has been in your house going through your things when you’re not home.   Anyone can take away my possessions as long as they do not hurt my pup.  She was a bit scared all curled up in the back corner of her crate when dad got home but she is back to normal now.  I hope she never has to go through that again and I hope she forgets what happened.  

When things like this come up it seems like it’s an excuse to EAT and EAT anything you want.  The beginning of the week I put my calendar up and looked at the schedule and said “today is the day I’m doing great - no treats, workout per schedule etc….and then life happens.  Day #2 in and already I’m off schedule.  

But with failure comes success. This little incident made me realize that it’s up to me and how I am going to overcome obstacles with training and in life.  Do I just give in and say “oh well maybe next time” or do I push onward and keep my commitments to myself and my goals that I have before me?  I was reading another runners blog and he said “Success comes in the effort made.  It comes in never giving up”.  I gave up for a day but then tomorrow is a new day.  When life gets in the way we have to MAKE the time rather then find the time and that’s true in everything, whether it be in training, a passion, family etc.