Training - Week 14 - Week 12 of Marathon Training - Thursday - 7 Miles

I had planned to run this 7 mile run yesterday morning, but when I woke up my body was sore. My shin splints were something fierce and my darn ankle was giving me fits. The pain in the ankle has spread from the inside ankle bone around the backside to the outside. The whole area from the ankle bone up about 4 inches is pretty tender as well. I decided that at this point in my training I need to listen to my body more than listening to the running plan. I want this body is great condition come race day. So, I decided to not run and just give the body a rest.

That was the smartest choice I could have made......

This morning I woke up and my body felt great. I knew it was going to be a great run. I decided to run the 7 miles. I started at a nice easy pace of 8:37 on the first mile and I was actually pain free for once. I just kept running, but making sure I was at a pace that felt easy and controlled. A few miles in I decided to continue to pick the pace up to prepare for a half marathon that I am thinking about running in Clinton, IA in about two weeks. I wanted to give my body a workout running at a race pace to prepare myself for running at a faster rate than what I have been doing for my marathon workouts. Without feeling like the running was becoming more difficult I ended up negative splitting the whole run.

Mile 2: 7:58
Mile 3: 7:57
Mile 4: 8:08(a big hill and I had to stop for cross traffic, but I was running around 7:50 pace while running)
Mile 5: 7:43
Mile 6: 7:34
Mile 7: 7:27

My overall time was 55:30 which is 7:56 pace

I had just a minor ache in the ankle, but upon finishing the run my body feels great. No sign of any pain or injury so I hope this continues. I must continue to listen to the body and rest when it needs rest. This is hard for me because being somewhat new to running I feel like I need to be running all the time. I know that rest is just as important as the running, but I always feel like crap on the days I don't run. I never thought I would say that in my life, but this training has really changed my mindset on living.

This weekend I have three things to get accomplished aside from my training.
1. Sign up for the half marathon
2. Sign up for the Chicago Urbanathlon
3. Order my race shirt from Live Uncommon

Keep pushing towards your goals and continue GETTING IT DONE!