Picture this scene:
It’s Tuesday morning.
The first day of half marathon (#4) training.
Intervals on tap.
Brand new Brooks Ghost 3’s arrived in the mail the night prior.
This girl hadn’t run hard speed in weeks.
Off she went…
(anyone want to take a guess at what unfolded next?)
An EPIC round of mile repeat-style intervals ensued.
…it looked something like this:
Mile 0-1: warm-up @6.8-7.0 mph
Mile 1-2: speed round@7.6mph
Mile 2 – 2.2: recovery round @4mph
Mile 2.2 – 3.2: speed round @7.6mph
Mile 3.2-3.4: recovery round @4mph
Mile 3.4-4.4: speed round @7.6mph
Mile 4.4-4.6: recovery round @4mph
Mile 4.6-5.6: speed round @7.6mph
Mile 5.6 – 6.0: recovery round and cool-down @6.0-6.2mph
RUNNER’S HIGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Now. Not gonna lie. At first I wanted to chalk it all up to the brand spankin’ new kicks I was sporting, figuring that was the added boost I need to kick out some awesome speed yesterday. But then two thoughts occurred to me.
1 – I haven’t been running very much this past month, at most 15 miles a week or so. (for obvious reason – hi barre n9ne training!)
2 – Half marathon training started yesterday and I am SO jazzed about the race it’s not even funny. It’s equal parts being back in training and loving that feeling and the fact that I’ll get to run this race with friends (yay Sam!).
So, my conclusion to this question: Was it the sneakers or the runner?
In this case (while I love my new Brooks!) – I’m giving all the credit to the runner this time. This girl worked hard.
…and has very happy feet to prove it. 🙂
I say it’s the runner. Mentally you had a frame of mind that led you to have an amazing run. Your legs were well rested. I will always credit the runner 100% of the time.
And THERE’S the other comment from you – I knew I wasn’t going crazy 😉
It’s the runner, fully supported by the new quality tools for maximizing your potential!
Shoes make a big difference, but gotta put credit where it’s due!
Your body probably thanked you for the break from running, by using that break to build and repair your running muscles…or something!
The sneakers were the tool, but so was the mindset going into things, you are so right. I love your comments, so insightful and thoughtful!
I love that. This girl is off to work hard too.
Biking.
Woohoo!! Work that bike!!
It’s always YOU!!
Aw thank you for the vote of confidence!!
Looks like YOU were flying on that tredmill-def the runner. Enjoy!
It was an awesome interval run, wicked hahhd too 😉
Maybe a combo – I always feel like I’m air with new running shoes. They make you so excited to test them out.
I totally felt like I was bounding along, I love new running snoes!!
You rock!!! Definitely the runner…but new shoes are always nice! 🙂
New shoes are SO motivating – which just gave me the boost I needed to rock the intervals, love that!
Huh, I thought I had commented. Unreliable phone I say.
I definitely say it’s the runner. It’s all in the mindset that you have. 🙂
Hm, I thought I saw one from you too. Weird??
It’s always the runner! It’s mind over matter!!
Mind over matter indeed!
asslap sis! it’s always you, for sure! maybe I will channel this today when I run outside later! by myself, no less 😉
DO IT DO IT DO IT! 😀
So – didja channel this??
This post made me smile HUGE! I love seeing you so stoked about another race, about new shoes, about AMAZING SPEEDWORK! You are rocking and rolling half marathon training and it’s only Day 1!
I’m so proud of you! 🙂
Yayyyyyyy!!! I’m feeling really good going into this training cycle – SO hoping it bodes well come May 6. Wahoo!!
Definitely the runner! Good luck as you start training!!
Thank you! I’m excited to be back in that mode 🙂
Damn, girl. Way to go!!!!
Wheee!
Amazing! Definitely the runner. No doubt. Your happy feet put a smile on my face.
Oh yay, I love putting a smile on your face! If happy feet is what does that, I’m all for more of the same 🙂
Brooks give you wings!! I think it had a little to do with how ready to go you were! Awesome stuff!
LOL they totally do! I’m suuuch a fan of Brooks!
Always the runner! When you work hard, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing!
Love the interval workout, by the way!
Thanks! It’s a great set of intervals, killer, but awesome, all rolled into one. It’s my favorite lately!
It was definitely the runner!
why thank you 🙂
Go you! I find that I sometimes have great workouts after having some down time from running. 🙂
That totally did work in my favor – I’m really glad I took a quasi-break from running by really lowering the mileage per week. Now that I’m getting back into the swing, I’m excited to run, my legs are happy and I’m off to chase that elusive runner’s high all over again!
It’s the runner with a side of kicks! Hey every little bit helps!! Rock on and props on a kick butt run!
Every little bit DOES help, you are so right!! (especially with running IMHO)
ohhh its so the runner and the state of mind you’re in that day. i feel like some runs are just so awesome bc im mentally with it (and i guess physically too haha). i love those runs..they’re the best and the reason i like to run! shoes are just an accessory (a necessary one though)!
It’s totally a mental thing by and large – because running IS so very mental, that if you’re mind is in it, you’re bound to fly high that day!
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