Taking it Up a Notch

January was a month for getting back into the groove of running. I did a lot of 5 mile runs during the week, and then longer runs on Saturday. I was mostly just getting on schedule, and in training mode -- not a place I have ever really been. I have run a lot in my life, and sometimes pretty intensely, including when I was pregnant with William. But training for an event is a whole other level of crazy and discipline, which I am trying to learn and enjoy. 

February has been a month of doing more. My daily 5 miles have turned to alternating 5 mile days with 7-8 mile days, with long runs on Saturday. I have also started adding a new element into my training by doing hill intervals. This is different training than finding rolling hills to add to my runs. Hill intervals involve finding a steep hill -- which luckily I have access too not far from home -- and then I run up it as fast as I can for about 30-45 seconds, repeating the effort about 10 times. It is hard, but it is good. It is supposed to help increase strength, speed, and prevent injury, by making the muscles stronger. 

This is my hill of choice. Nice and steep. By the time I get to the 45 second mark, I am huffing and puffing like crazy. I am supposed to slowly jog back down the hill to catch my breath, then recover for a bit and head right back up for more. I am sure I look crazy to those passing me by in their cars, and I would agree that crazy has everything to do with it! 

I do like the variety in training, because just slogging along everyday without shaking things up can get kind of old, especially in the winter without the benefit of the color green and flowers. Winter is a mentally hard time to run because it is a lot of brown and grey (winter in Idaho), not the most uplifting colors in the world, especially if the sky is grey too. It sure helps when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. I try to find beauty in the world around me, and I do, but it is so much easier in the spring and summer. I can't wait to be out on the trails when it is truly beautiful out there. It is coming! 

When I was doing my hill intervals, I noticed I was being watched. On my way back down the hill, I noticed some deer just sitting and staring at me. They stayed there the whole time I was running. I bet I provided quality entertainment for them. I was probably the most exciting thing they had seen all day. They were a little rude, however, they did not even clap or cheer for me. All they did was stare, mesmerized by my motion, I guess. Still, they could have said, "You go, girl!" Remind me not to invite them to the finish line. 

The day after I did the hill intervals, my buns were burning. It felt awesome. I do not normally feel a lot of my muscles after everyday flat running, they just get kind of used to the motion. But after the hills, I felt super, like I had really done something and my body liked me for it. I plan to add the hill intervals 1-2 times a week, because they are intense, and should not be overdone. The following day I went running and I felt great, and was able to keep a pretty good pace. So there might be something to shaking it up. 

I finished a 14 mile run today. These long runs just make me worried about going the full distance, because by the end I am usually pretty spent of energy. I do plan to pull back a bit on the longer runs and balance out the milage more throughout the week for awhile, so I do not burnout, before I even get started. I am always just so curious to see how far I can go though, because I want to make sure I can do it! But it is not wise to overdo it, and fry my body before it's ready. Finding balance is always a challenge for me. I just want to go and get there now! But fitness and good health and being able to go the distance takes time... lots of time and a daily consistent effort. 

I am putting in the effort. 

It is hard. It is all hard. The hard is what makes it great. I find it is worth it, as I keep going. I have struggled to keep positive sometimes, and my mental focus has been a little off lately, and I need to stay upbeat. I have allowed some fear to creep in here lately, fear of failure, and fear of falling on my face. But I decided today that even if for some reason I do fail, it will not be for a lack of effort on my part. I will give her all I got, and by golly, that will have to be good enough. If I have to walk, crawl, or have my sister carry me to the finish line -- I will make it. 

Onward and upward and onward some more!

Oh, and speaking of taking it up a notch... I have been able to take my belt in a few notches, so that is a perk.

*The picture at the top was taken after a 12 mile run. I was so happy to be done, and laying on the floor never felt better!