Boy am I glad I did extra errands yesterday to avoid leaving them for today…I was swamped. I woke up 2 hours late (probably from this week’s multiple restless nights). Then, panicked, I quickly ate an apple and got dressed for my run. At a chilly, windy 40 degrees in NYC, I layered up and brought along my new running gloves that are touch screen compatible (thanks Mom!)–they are awesome by the way. I warmed up with some core exercises in my dorm room before walking over to Riverside Park to get my run on. It was a gorgeous day, but, unfortunately for me, the wind was blowing against me both ways (as usual) and very hard (not usual). Around 14th street, I was by the water again and the wind was so cold that I moved to run on bike path with many of the other runners.

Just finished 11 mile run.

It was a good run, but I certainly realized why I prefer to go out earlier (so many less people around–especially when walking back afterwards). Still, I am proud: my first 11-miler! This from the girl who said she hated running because it was boring and who said she couldn’t run for more than 30 minutes straight just 2 months ago!

Along the run, I got pretty introspective: thinking about my journey as a runner and all the lessons I have learned (most the hard way).

• The most important one I had to learn the hard way: run your own race. You are only competing against yourself. Don’t let people passing you bother you (don’t try to speed up to pass them again either). On a similar note: not all your runs have to be hard/high effort, most should be at easy/comfortable pace.<–after learning these, I discovered running can be fun.

• Another big lesson that most beginners push to the side: when running outside, use effort to determine if you need to speed up or slow down, not pace because outside factors (read: wind) can make your exertion different than it would be on a calm day. Run out against the wind, and run back with the wind pushing you; use effort as your guide.

• Last: would any running tips list be complete without the 10% rule? I make sure that I don’t increase my total mileage by more than 10% per week. After increasing too much in the beginning and bringing on some Achilles pain, I will never take this too lightly again.

Breakfast was nothing too special, just some steel cut oats with a banana and almond butter…wanted to just chill out before my hectic day resumed (we have all been there, right?)  Well, after that excitement came more…laundry day! Followed by more of this crazy long project for my Databases class–I think I will start seeing Java code in my sleep again–not pretty!

Questions:

• What success have you had this week that you are most proud of?
• What lesson do you think all beginning runners should know?

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