Confidence Building Runs

I have struggled with low self-esteem issues for as long as I can remember. I was an above average swimmer and always had straight A's so I'm not entirely sure where my lack of confidence comes from. This lovely trait of mine continues to plague me as a runner as well. Sometimes I think it is actually good to be not completely confident so that you don't put too much pressure on yourself or expect too much. But at the same time that lack of confidence can knock you out of the game before it even starts.

When I first started training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon back in January I saw a lot of improvement in my running. My pace for easy runs dropped from a 10 minute mile to close to a 9 minute mile in only a few weeks. I was nailing my long runs and getting even faster. I was full of confidence about breaking the two hour mark. The problem was that I was too confident. I was losing motivation and skipped one too many workouts in favor of dinner with friends or just out of sheer laziness. My paces plateaued and my confidence plummeted. The worse my confidence was in my ability to get hard runs done the worse I actually did on those runs. It felt like a never ending circle.

Best running buddy!

After having a rest week last week I was feeling refreshed and ready to take on this last training block before my race. But things didn't exactly go as I had hoped. My first few workouts of the week were painfully bad. I felt tired, heavy, just awful. Not much in the way of helping my confidence levels. Wednesday night's track run turned things around for me. I was still nervous about Friday's long run but I wasn't dreading it anymore because at least some small part of me knew I could do it. And do it I did. Not only was I able to nail my prescribed paces but I went even faster on a pretty dang windy day.

Here was the plan:
2 mile w/u, 1 @ 8:20, .5 @ 9:00, 1 @ 8:10, .5 @ 9:00, 1 @ 8:00, .5 @8:30, 1 @ 7:50, .5 @ 8:30, 2 c/d

My splits for the hard miles:
8:19, 8:08, 7:47, 7:44

The first mile interval was pretty challenging but during the second one I started to get the hang of it. I felt great during the third one and decided to run hard and not look at my watch and see how it went. I was shocked to see 7:47. I felt like I was running closer to 7:57. For the last interval I was hoping to go under 7:40 but the wind got the better of me. There definitely wasn't a lack of effort though.

Maybe it's because I've been improving so quickly and my mind hasn't had time to catch up with my body but I still have a hard time comprehending that I can run sub 8 minute miles. Not long ago I was happy to see a number that started with an eight. Even as I'm writing this I am doubting myself about next week's long run.  Besides the obvious running I am going to try to spend the last weeks of training focusing on the mental side of it all. Even if my body is capable if my mind is not on board it is going to be hard to accomplish much. Looks like I'll be having quite a few dates with my Believe I Am journal.

Things I'm Loving

Happy Saturday everyone! I thought I'd share some of the things that I have been loving lately. Enjoy!

Brooks Adrenaline 13

About a month ago I went to get a new pair of running shoes with the intention of trying out a new style. Long story short I ended up buying another pair of Adrenaline's and love them as much as my last pair. I've only been wearing them for my long runs and they keep getting better each time.

Trader Joe's
Since I have been spending more time in Columbia I thought I would take advantage of the better grocery stores there. I went to TJ's last week and bought so much produce and other yummy foods for less than I normally spend when buying less at the store near my house. Win!

NYC Running Mama

This girl is seriously amazing. I always check her Twitter and Instagram feeds when I need some motivation since she is always doing really impressive workouts. Her love of running and working hard is contagious and you can't help but cheer her on towards her goal of completing her first Ironman and running a sub 3:10 marathon.

That it's getting dark out later

I actually really do like winter but I hate getting out of class and it's completely dark out already. I am happier when there is more sunshine plus longer days equals more time for running.

Homeland
I have heard so many good things about this show that I had to check it out for myself. After learning a bit more about it I suggested to the boyfriend that we watch it. We have already finished the first season and I am itching to start season 2.

Believe I Am

I got my Believe I Am journal for Christmas and have been using it to help me train for the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I get such a feeling of satisfaction from writing in all of my workouts after completing them. There is something so intimate about putting pen to paper and spilling your feelings in your own journal that no one else sees.

My internship
This semester I am interning at Corrigan Sports for school credit and it is turning out to be really great. We are currently working on planning the upcoming Oakland Full & Half Marathon in March. I love not only being part of such an awesome team but helping put on such incredible and popular events.

Garmin 310XT

I got this for Christmas from the boyfriend and love it more and more each time I wear it. I constantly find myself wondering why I didn't upgrade earlier. This watch is incredible and is definitely helping my training.

Oiselle
Ever since I tried my first pair of Oiselle shorts back in the fall I have been completely obsessed with all things Oiselle. I drool over the pretty clothes that everyone seems to have now and am inspired by the amazing community of runners they have created. Seriously, I can't get enough.

Cooking
Back in the fall I decided to start cooking my meals. Before I was eating the simplest of meals and foods and relied a lot of microwaveable dinners. With the help of Pinterest I have since tried more recipes than I can count. Some were very simple and others very elaborate. Cooking my own meals gives me a greater sense of appreciation for the foods in which I'm eating.

Training Update

I've been meaning to write here for awhile now but life has been keeping me busy (not a bad thing, right?). Instead of January being a calm and relaxing month off of school with not much to do I have been swamped. Okay, maybe not, but I certainly feel a bit overwhelmed. As much as I like to keep busy I also enjoy having the month of January and the summer to rejuvenate. After a little time away from school I'm ready and anxious to get back into the swing of things. I've been fairly busy this month though. I don't start classes until the 28th so I'm hoping to spend next week doing pretty much nothing.

Since the last time I wrote I have started training for my next big race, the Nike Women's Half Marathon on April 28. My goal is to break two hours and with the way training has been going these first two weeks I'm confident I will meet my goal. I have been running 6 days a week ranging from easy runs to hill sprints. I know it's only been a couple of weeks but I can already feel myself getting stronger. Running is becoming easier and I am looking forward to going for a run instead of dreading it. 

I think most of all I like being back in training. As someone who grew up training 11.5 months of the year with only a week off at the end of each season it feels weird for me to not be training for something. Don't get me wrong, I loved having time off in December to enjoy the holidays and not stress about getting in a run. Now that the holidays are over though I am really enjoying having something to train for. Having a coach is keeping me on track and making me even more excited because I feel like I'm heading in the right direction rather than guessing blindly. 

I know this post is a little all of the place, sorry about that, but my thoughts are kind of all over the place also.  When I got the Believe I Am journal for Christmas I saw that there is a section dedicated to checking in on your goals. Every 4-6 weeks you are supposed to assess how things are going to make sure that you are on the right track. I like this idea and want to do training updates every so often during training so I can look back and see how much progress I have made.

My Fitness Christmas List

The holiday season is in full swing everywhere you look. I know Christmas is not about presents but I decided to put together the things that made my wish list this year. My birthday is the week after Christmas (December 31) so this is actually my Christmas/birthday list. Hint hint, Mom ;)

1. Bike

So this is the one thing on this list that I am 100% sure I will be getting this holiday season. I have already picked out and purchased this beautiful bike and can't wait to spend some quality time with it over my six week holiday break. This is also the one thing on this list that I have been lusting for practically the entire year. Money well spent.

2. Believe I Am journal

The Believe I am journal is also something that I am dying to try. My twitter feed is constantly blown up by fellow runners who are crediting this journal with their best training cycles yet. I know that a journal will not magically make me faster but as someone who is studying sports psychology in school I can't wait to see how the journal works.

3. Oiselle runfinity scarf

Scarves are probably my favorite accessory. I wear a scarf practically everyday in the fall & winter whether I am in class all day or just relaxing in my apartment. Infinity scarves are my favorite are I have been obsessed with this light teal color for months. I also really like how the scarf has hidden start and finish lines.

4. Arm warmers

Originally I thought the concept of arm warmers was silly but now I that I can see how practical they are I really want a pair. There have been so many times in the past few months that I have been too cold or too hot and thought arm warmers would remedy the situation. I found a pair that I really liked back in September but they were way too long for my arms. And the ones sold at the NYCM expo were too thick. I tend to get unusually warm when I run so I want a pair of arm warmers that is comfy, soft, and not too thick.

5. Running tights

I have also been on a quest for the perfect pair of tights or capris for months now. I recently ordered a pair of the Oiselle Lesley Knicker but they are for Christmas so I haven't been able to try them out yet. I am very picky when it comes to running tights so hopefully these will do the trick.

6. Yoga mat

Over the summer I got really into yoga, going twice a week every week. I love how yoga enables to me quiet my mind, relax, and focus on being in the present. I am currently using an old mat I bought back in high school to use during dryland at swim practice. The mat is worn out and very slippery. I don't have any mat in particular picked out but my only requirements are not slippery and cute.

7. As the Crow Flies

Craig Alexander is a triathlon legend. He won the 70.3 and full Ironman world championships in the same year while breaking the Kona course record. I bought Chrissie Wellington's book when it came out last year and absolutely loved it. I have always been a fan of Crowie and have heard really great things about the book. I'm not sure if it's available for order yet but you can sure I will be buying it soon.

8. BlueSeventy Vision

While I don't love the look of these goggles I love how functional they are. I have been swimming in the Speedo Women's Vanquisher goggles since I was something like twelve years old, and while I love them for pool swimming they aren't cutting it in the open water. These goggles are designed specifically for the open water and make it easier to see in the early morning with the sun beaming in your eyes.

What are you lusting over this holiday season?!