Embrace the Pain

This past week Craig urged me to sign up for a 10k run, which was less than a week away.  Now sure I've been working at building up my endurance for mileage, but I've lost some of my enthusiasm for it.  I'm still accomplishing milestone goals, but it's not been as "fun".  Being on treadmill for 30 minutes was WAY easier than being on for over an hour.  So.... I signed up for the Heart Mini 10k run, scheduled for today, Sunday 3/20/2011.  Friday I hopped on the treadmill and I didn't last long.  I was having a major mental block.  It wasn't even a physical inability.  It was just a lack of desire... waaah   waaah

Saturday arrived (the day BEFORE the run) and the sun was shining and the temperature was near perfect!
A gorgeous day! - Then Sunday arrived.
The forecast was a drop in temperature and RAIN!  

I can't believe it!  I went from the comfort of my own basement to being outside in 45 degree temperature with three shirts on, shorts AND pants and SOAKING WET shoes- before the race even began!

There were approx 15,000 runners throughout the different distance races, so it was a CRAZY environment.  

I'll spare the long story, but I'll say this...

I DID IT!  I did ALL of it!  All 6.2 miles.  There were crazy hills (for which I did NOT adequately prepare) and crowds of people to weave through, yet I STILL did it in 3 less minutes than my goal time!  YAY ME!

Bonus, I wasn't completely fatigued at the end.  In fact, once my body loosened up, I probably could have run for another mile or two without a problem.  Only on the drive home were my legs beginning to feel a bit tired.  It truly is a mental game after a point.  I texted Craig on the way up the first big hill. (YES, I texted Craig! I was really frustrated!)

His words of advice, "Embrace the pain."

Hmmmm........ I held tight to those words.  I think I may have felt much more discouraged if he wouldn't have told me that phrase. 

Change doesn't just happen.  I need to accept the work that it requires.  I'm making it my new motto to help encourage me until May 1st.

Flying Pig...  here I come!