Something very dear to me, something I have worked very hard for, has been stolen from me. I am not for sure when it happened, but only now have I become aware of the theft. At some point this fall or winter, someone or something has completely stolen my speed!
Early this winter, I guess I had started to notice a lack of speed. I was running as hard as I felt comfortable and I was only pulling 7:30 miles. At the time, I had chalked it up to the colder temps and extra clothing, but it was still very upsetting. I also considered that I had taken a very nonchalant attitude towards working out as I did not have any upcoming races to prepare for. But recently, I have taken a renewed enthusiasm towards working out hard. I have added the extra miles running over lunch, I have been going to basketball, and I have been doing my weight training with more intensity. However, on Monday during my lunchtime run I had pushed myself pretty hard, but my time was 22:50 for an almost exact 3 mile run. Immediately, I thought that I had misread the mileage of my run, or taken the wrong route, or anything other than the fact that I had just averaged 7:37 over a 3 mile run! Seriously, that is a slower pace than my very first 5K more than 2 years ago. Yesterday, I ran over lunch again and it was even worse. I had purposely taken things a bit slower as I had done my leg workout that morning, but I was almost a full minute slower than Monday. Finally, this morning, I ran my 5 mile route and huffing and puffing to get in under 8:00 per mile.
I understand that my legs have been working harder this week and the extra miles are taking their toll, but for the first time in a very long time, I felt SLOW! But still I find myself attempting rationalize my lack of speed, coming up with excuses for my slow pace. The real problem is that I don't want to be slow. I want to be fast! I want to run a faster half-marathon this year, I would love to run a sub-20 minute 5K. But if I keep running at these rates, I will be lucky to even beat my first 5K time!
I don't know who stole my speed, but I want it back...immediately...please?!
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