Slowest 7 Miles Ever

This weekend I had a 7 miler on the training plan for Saturday.  Unfortunately, I had a change in plans with my flight Saturday, and Sunday is was pouring out.  Today when I woke up I checked the weather and noticed that it was only 10% rain for the next two hours.  I laced up my sneakers and hit the road for Kelly Drive.

On the way to Kelly, I took a bite of this protein bar that I had never tried before.  At first it didn’t taste so bad, but it actually had a pretty disgusting aftertaste.  Yuck!  It took me a while to get the taste out of my mouth, but on the plus side it prompted me to drink more pre-run water.  I only had the one bite…so clearly I don’t recommend this one. 

I got to Kelly Drive and this run turned out to be exactly what I thought it would be…a wake up call.  I’ve been working out on average 5 days a week or so and trying to follow the training plan that I made for my upcoming half marathons, but unfortunately most of the workouts that are missed or changed are runs.  Runs are just my least favorite thing.  I prefer to do strength, take a yoga class, hop on the elliptical, etc. than to run.  I know that running is my least favorite because it’s the hardest for me.  It’s an endless cycle.  I don’t run because it’s hard, and I don’t get any better because I’m not running enough. 

I’m glad I got all 7 miles in today (only because I did an out and back run and was forced to keep going to get back to my car), but I walked more than I ran.  I did sporadic running and walking for the first 5 miles, and then I stopped at 5 and knew I was just going to walk the rest of the two out.  I’m pretty sure that an infant crawling on the sidewalk lapped me…

I kept trying to push myself to run a mile straight, then walk for .25 mile and repeat, but I kept only getting to .5-.75 miles before I found myself slowing to a walk.  It was like I was dealing with a toddler, but that toddler was me.  My mind and legs were being stubborn. 

I took some time to appreciate the houses on boathouse row on my walk back.  Here is a little collage of the 12 boathouses.

After my “run” I was pretty starving.  I stopped by subway on the way home to get a sandwich.  I got a wheat 6 inch sub with turkey, fat free honey mustard, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and green peppers.  I paired it with a side of baked BBQ lays potato chips and 1/2 of an orange. 

I’m itching to cook a healthy homemade meal tonight so I think that is the plan.  Hope it turns out well!