Update: Last Thursday I registered to run in the Las Vegas half-marathon on Dec. 7. My goal this afternoon was to run 8 miles, but I did 10.1 in a walk/run format. I haven't run for the last few days because I have been trying to kick this nagging cold I have. I don't think it's completely gone because I couldn't breath very easily, and people were also raking their yards which was irritating. I ran the first 7.03 miles and at the end I felt like I couldn't move my legs anymore. Although the weather is perfect (almost 70 degrees) I started to get genuinely cold while I was running- goosebumps and chills. I stopped running and walked home to get a jacket. At this point I was very discouraged and very negative. I had only run 7 miles and on the day of the race there will be another 6 I'll have to trudge through. I got some water and a jacket and decided to continue walking to cool down. All along I have been fighting my knees to keep them from getting injured, but having to fight my psyche like I did today was unbearable. What is the best way to disconnect my brain from my body just enough so that I can run without interference, but still be able to determine if I am going past the limit that my knees can handle? It's amazing how powerful thoughts are to have such a physical impact on someone. While I was walking and recovering, I decided that 7 miles coming off a week of not feeling well is good enough, and that it will be good enough even if I have to walk at Las Vegas. It's funny how I overestimate my running ability when I'm not running, and seriously underestimate it when I am running. After walking 1.4 miles to cool down I decided to finish my 8 mile run, and actually ended up running 8.4. |