I firmly believe that there is a reason to celebrate everyday you are alive. However, there are days like today that remind everyone that every day you wake up and are lucky to be alive is a good day. I'm referring to the shooting that took the lives of Alison Parker and Adam Ward -- two journalists doing a live shot this morning for WDBJ (Roanoke, Va) in Moneta, Va. This isn't the only death that has effected me this week. One of my best friends from high school dad's suddenly died on Monday. I also had a good friend's grandmother pass away last Saturday. Today, after my run, I bought four sympathy cards. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do in a while. It put in perspective how minuscule me complaining about not having a good tempo run seems.
When I walked into the gym today, I vowed that I would not walk about without completing my workout -- 8 mile tempo run at 8:00 min/mile -- successfully. I must give credit to being successful to a few things, 1) I was/am getting frustrated at not completing my tempo runs at the necessary pace (it is the only run I cannot seem to master) 2) I vowed to complete it for my friend's dad -- it seems silly but it was something I could control and 3) I am lucky that I can go home and hug all my loved ones. I again was using the treadmill -- amazing how my mindset has changed since week one -- to make sure I kept pace. I must admit, I did have 6:06 minutes of "rest time" because I had to used bathroom and then had a coughing fit as I am sick. It took me a total of 1:24.43 to complete the 10.03 miles (that is without rest time). I did all 8 tempo miles at 7.5 mph or 8:00 min/mile pace with the exception of a half of mile done at an 8:06 pace. In full discloser, I estimate that I had to step to the side of the treadmill for a total of .5 miles during the workout because coughing and making sure I was hydrating properly. I still consider it a successful workout -- the first of the tempo rotation because I kept pace and hit the distance goal, without feeling like I was going to keel over. Now, you might be wondering why the title of this post is "Stop at Never." Inside my 2013 NYC Marathon jacket, "Stop at Never" is embroidered. Ever since then, it has been my mantra for my running. I wear a Road ID bracelet (24/7 and I highly recommend it) and "Stop at Never" is my fifth line -- the line meant to encourage you. Today, "Stop at Never" had a deeper meaning. For one, it encouraged me to finally complete my tempo run at marathon pace and reminded me that life is short, so don't stop when it is easy. The strongest people will survive and I believe my mantra was a key ingredient to today's success.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Megan FloodMegan is 29 and a 14-time marathoner. She is hoping to Boston Qualify one day. She doesn't know exactly how this blogging will go, but she is giving it her best shot! Archives
June 2019
Categories |
Marathoning Megan