Slowing things down

(Haha...a post a day, right?)

Lately (and by "lately" I mean the past 6 months) I've been trying to run at the pace I used to run at back in late 2007, when I was in my peak physical condition. Back then I was running 9 minute miles, which to most of you, isn't fast, but for me, it's a miracle. So I've been trying to run at that pace and have been so frustrated that I haven't been able to run a constant 3 miles without stopping to walk for a minute once or twice.

I'd get to the point where I was basically already feeling like my body would kill over (10 minutes into a run), I'd stop to walk/catch my breath, run for another 10 minutes, etc. All of my runs were like this. From the day I started running I've told myself that I'm not going to be one of those runners who, during a race, would race far ahead, stop to walk, I'd catch up to them, then they'd race far ahead, and the pattern would continue. They're annoying runners. I was becoming one of them.

During said races when Annoying Runner would pass me for the gajillionth time I always thought, "Jeez! If they'd just slow down and run a constant pace, they'd get there just as fast." The solution is obvious. I just didn't want to admit to myself that I had slowed down and needed to take my own advice. For SIX MONTHS I've been the Annoying Runner. Not acceptable.

So I did the unthinkable yesterday. I slowed my pace. And I ran for 3 miles without stopping to walk. Praise the heavens above, it actually works. The best part? It took me the same amount of time to finish 3 miles running at my slower pace as it did to run really fast/walk. Amazing, huh?

So that's my goal. DON'T STOP TO WALK! Little by little I'll work my way back up to my 9-minute mile pace. For now, 10 minute miles are fine with me.

And I'm out the door for a 5-mile. See ya!