I'm finally over the hump!

Today's run was different ... I didn't think I was going to die - I actually liked running!

I began noticing a difference during my last two runs. Thursday of last week, J was out of town so I was left to run on my own, instead, I invited my granddaughter. I also switched the timing of my run. Run one minute - recover 3:15 for 10 intervals.

Since K was with me, I let her set the pace knowing she'd push me. She did, damn, the girl' 8 years old and I can't keep up with her; and it's NOT for lack of trying. I ran as fast as I could during four of the 10 intervals. It was awesome running so fast, it was also exhausting! The most interesting part was when I reached the last interval I decided to push for 12, sadly, by the end of the 11th interval I thought my legs were gonna collapse.

Notice I said legs? Normally I'm gasping for breath, which is all I focus on. Just breathing. That day it was different - I felt my legs - almost as if they were something new. After the 10th interval I was breathing effortlessly enough, I believed I could do more and loved the sound of 12. That is until I was about half way thru number 11 - what the hell happened? All of the sudden my legs felt heavy, burning, and like they just couldn't go another foot. I struggled through that last 30 seconds knowing that getting to 12 would be impossible. What a great feeling that was - I had run until my legs couldn't run anymore - my legs - that was big!

Saturday rolled around and with J still out of town I ran with K again, this time following my regular run shedule. Again, I felt my legs. Was I onto something? As we walked through our 6th recovery, I shared with K that this was my last day running at 1.5 minutes and that next week J and I were upping our run time to 2 minutes. Here we were almost finished with our run and I was feeling amazing - unbelievable. As my watch signaled the start of our 7th interval, impressed with how great I felt, I decided to go ahead and run a two minute interval just to see how it felt - it was fantastic! We finished the eight and headed home.

It's Monday:
We tagged today as the day we'd increase our run to 2 minutes and reduce our recovery to 3 minutes. Keeping with 8 intervals (2/3x8).

Since J had been running on asphalt while she was away she requested we run on dirt. Fine with me, it's much softer - hence easier. We shared our concerns with how this run might go. I suggested we just tell ourselves we only had to do six intervals, knowing full well we'd do them all. The first three went better than expected -- then we hit the dreaded 'Number Four'. As we trudged through, J asked 'how long' (she seldom asks that.) I breathlessly replied '1:40' and I couldn't belive my eyes - SHE stopped running. She NEVER stops running.

Being the good friend that I am, I stopped with her. lol. Yes, I could have kept going, but I saw no logical reason to run the extra 20 seconds when my friend needed me. Ok, fine, I took advantage of the chance to just walk. To be honest, like J, I was starting to lose it. It was a much needed relief and so what if we walked the extra 20 seconds; what's the big deal? Funny thing is, it was a big deal to both of us, in turn, making us determined to run the entire 8 intervals. (that we knew we were gonna run anyway)

As we continued, it seemed to get easier. Don't ask me why or how, but it did. I knew, without a doubt that I was over the hump. As my legs began to hurt during the last run of the day, it was that precise moment, when I felt for the first time that ... I liked running. It's taken me two months and lots of gasping for air to get here, but I'm here and that's what matters.

I like running!

I've mentioned previously that I want to love running - someday I will. For now, I'm beyond thrilled I can say I like it!

Run on - we are!!!