After 8 months of not being able to run, I was well aware that getting back into it would be tough. But there was a part of me (that I never shared with anyone, it was my deep, dark secret) that thought I would be able to run 10 miles in a week or two without looking back. I realize that if any of you ever thought of me as rational, you are now reconsidering that opinion of me...
It's just that I reached my running peak a week or two before the KDF Mini last year and just like we think we're 21 forever, I thought I could run and run strong forever--even when I haven't been running for 8 months. *sigh*
So anyway, it's been a tough struggle. I started getting back into it by running as long as I could and that was just a complete slap in the face--YOU MEAN I CAN ONLY RUN ONE-HALF MILE? YOU'RE KIDDING! Eventually, I realized that the only was I was going to progress was to "break down" and walk during my runs, just to get that mileage in. So after some time it got easier. I could run a mile again!
Then came Galloway. I thought, "Hey, I'm doing the Mini in a few months, and I remember reading something about the Run-Walk-Run method and its success for injury-free marathon running. I should check into it for my Half!" So I did. And that's where I really started seeing the progress.
I finished 12 miles today and while I was running, the thing that I noticed most was my strength on hills. I owe that entirely to Iroquois Park. It just feels good to see that I am capable again, even if I'm run/walking. And also, today it was hard for me NOT to run. I wanted to run so much more than I did! That was a fantastic feeling, knowing that I COULD do it, but being patient and wise enough to not push it! I just feel happy knowing that I'm on my way back, and I totally stand behind the Galloway RWR method--I'm seeing the times I put up and I'm impressed!
After the Mini, my goal is to do a 5K and feel strong and fast!!!!! Can't wait to get to work on that!!!
2 comments:
I agree, the hardest thing about Galloway is to resist temptation of running more! I laugh at myself because every time I push it, I get those frightening twinges of hamstring pain and I should know better already! Iroquois kicked me in the booty, literally. I don't think Cherokee's nearly as hard. When I read about somebody else doing Galloway and getting good results, that gives me more confidence I'm doing the right thing.
By the way, do you ever have problems with cyclists on the trails there? The signs say cyclists should yield to walkers and runners but in a year, I've YET to see that. They plow right through, even if there are many runners in a row.
You're doing awesome and I wish you the best at the Half.
Believe it or not, I was running Saturday and two cyclists stopped and just stared at me, waiting. I got over for THEM, even though I knew the rule. I needed a break, so I told them to go ahead. And they wouldn't budge--they said "But you have right of way!" LOL I guess I just ran into a NICE couple of cyclists that respect the rules. I told them that they were right, I did have right of way, but I didn't mind them going on at that moment. So hopefully more cyclists will be like THOSE guys!
I'm enjoying Galloway, it's just the RIGHT thing for me to do right now. I'm proud of YOU, too!
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