Self-Imposed Limits

One of the best things about running is that the longer you stick with it, the more it teaches you and the more you grow. It's not just that you get better at it, or smarter about how you go about it. Running breaks down our self-imposed limitations even when that's not our goal.

And like any muscle, once we've broken down, we grow back stronger.

When I first began running, I was a two-miler. I mean, when I really first began, I considered anything an accomplishment, but once I got into the habit of it, two miles was my maximum.

And being able to find this kind of data is why I'll never leave Nike+.

Then I ran a 5k, and I was like, okay, 3.1 miles is my maximum.

And every day I'd run 1.5 miles from my house to a stoplight down the road, turn around, and run home. Then, a friend mentioned she had finally pushed beyond and gone four miles, and I remember thinking OMG, I can try to go four?!

And the first time I did, I felt absolutely elated and indomitable and just. plain. awesome.

I enjoyed going back and reading the build-up to this run. I was smart about building the mileage and then ran it three times the following week! I hit 4 miles and never looked back!

Since then, I've watched other self-imposed limitations fall by the wayside. I remember thinking a 10k sounded so daunting and scary, so impossible. And yet here I am, having run multiple.

I remember thinking that a sub-30 5k was impossible, and yet here I am, inching into the 26-range.

There are myriad examples, and there's no need to rehash them all; I guess what I'm getting at is that running - more than anything in my life - has shown me that many of the barriers and roadblocks I've faced are in my head. They're completely self-imposed and they're often not even physically impossible; they're only mentally impossible.

There was a time not that long ago that running a marathon seemed like the hardest, craziest thing someone could ever do! And now I've run three!

As a brand new runner, I couldn't run a quarter mile. Maybe physically I could, but I'd never done it before. The mile run in gym class? Yeah, I'd make it halfway around the track and start walking. Part of that was that I'd never been trained to pace myself (and I've written about that before), but it felt completely physical.

I wonder now if maybe that inability was mental. If I had known how to push myself, maybe I could have gone farther.

And maybe that's the point. As we stick with running, we learn to overcome our mental obstacles, and then we go farther - maybe because we're finally physically ready, but also because our minds have finally caught up with our bodies. Finally, our minds believe.

And once the mind is on board, we can do pretty much anything. So now I'm sitting here wondering: what else in my life feels physically, truly impossible? And, more importantly...is it?

What has running taught you?
Are you mentally stronger in different aspects since becoming a runner?
What is something you truly think you're physically incapable of?

ABK

Things I Tell Myself to Get Out the Door

In order to successfully move my runs to the 4am hour, I had to play mind games with myself. Now that I've gotten into the routine, it's not so bad. Once I'm up, it's easy, and morning runs leave me with a ton of energy throughout the day. I really believe I'm a better teacher on days I wake up early to run.

It amuses me that my long run alarm is set later than my weekday runs.

Still, I have to cajole myself to get out bed. Here are some things I remind myself that I love about morning runs as I'm shuffling around the bedroom like a zombie:

Feeling like I'm the only person in the world. I very rarely see another runner out that early, and if I do, I feel something like 10x more runner-solidarity than at any other time of day.

The bump it gives my runner reputation. I may not be the fastest, but no one can question my dedication.

One of my wake-up buddies, Montana, and I talked about this the other day. It got me thinking about the people who believe in me. I don't want to let them down!

I don't have to worry about what I look like. It's pitch black! Even if someone does see me, they won't be able to tell how gross I am, or if my run is little more than a hunched-over shuffle.

Cool weather. The temperature difference between 4am and evening is 20 degrees, so I love taking advantage of the cooler weather.

I guess "cool weather" is relative, but 77 feels amazing these days!

Minimal accessories! I don't need to worry about a hat or sunglasses; often I don't wear my headphones on a morning run. Everything just gets simplified.

I'll feel unstoppable the rest of the day because I started it with me-time. I spend all day "on stage", talking and interacting with others, being the most perfect version of myself that I can be. Having some alone time first thing in the morning to get my head right is invaluable.

And of course, I love feeling like a super badass because I woke up when the rest of the world was still sleeping!

How do you convince yourself to get going on a tough workout?
Have you noticed more autumnal weather this week?
What do you love about your chosen time-of-day to run/workout?

ABK

An Attitude of Gratitude

The Space Coast Marathon is right around the corner! Truth be told, I'm feeling pretty good. Despite having to take almost a full week off due to illness and not running a long run in about two weeks, I feel a sense of quiet certainty that I will cross that finish line. My goals (which I've kept private) have changed a bit due to my sickness and the weather, but I absolutely know I'll be a marathoner come Sunday.

This Thanksgiving, I'm giving thanks for the amazing, unconditional support of my family and friends as I tackled training. They have had to sacrifice right along with me, and they did it without grumbling or whining. (I think I backed out of plans approximately 100 times during this training cycle and everyone was incredibly understanding.)

Social life? What social life? If you don't run, I probably didn't spend much time free with you over the last few months.

 I'm grateful for the roof over my head and the pillow beneath it. I'm grateful for my job, my students, and my colleagues. I'm grateful for my health; I'm particularly grateful that this damned cold is finally gone.

I'm grateful for my legs.

You all have probably seen this amazing video making its rounds on the internet this week. If not, take the time to watch it. It's worth it.

(Full story here.)

Things like this remind me that I ought to work on my gratitude. I'm not a natural runner, and I do have things working against me, but I'm not overcoming anything as debilitating as MS. Not even close.

I love when ESPN focuses on uplifting, motivating, beating-the-odds videos for any sport, but especially running. Today, I'm asking that if you have a favorite motivating video that comes to mind, you drop a link in the comments.

I'm looking forward to watching them Saturday evening!

What are you thankful for this year?

ABK

Back on Track

Thank you all for your kind words on the last couple posts. I forgot that even when the school year starts smoothly, it takes some major readjusting. This week my legs felt better and I was able to get all my runs done!

I mentioned in my last post that I ran Monday evening with Kristin. After having such a successful night run, I chose to do Thursday's at night, too. I just decided that some extra sleep might help me get over the long run hurdle I've been facing.

It started raining as I paused to take this selfie. It was the perfect way to finish my run.

I did five miles, repeating the bridge twice. It had stormed earlier so I got out a bit later than I planned. I forgot my visor so I was pretty glad the rain had stopped, but it started again just in the last mile, which was perfect. I hit some of my fastest paces in awhile, and was able to maintain them. Color me pleased!

She sent me this picture like three times. Talk about good motivation! (Steph has Celiac, too, so it's always important to figure out which brand of bread is best to use for this kind of delicacy.)

Coming off that run, I was feeling confident about my long run Saturday. I knew I wanted to get back into the double digits but still didn't want to ramp up from the lapsed mileage to the full 16 that's still waiting to be run. 

At this point, I've decided to get back to where I was when I had that week off and build again. (I can do that, because my training plan is like 26 weeks long haha.) Technically this week was a cutback week but I used it as a normal building week, so I'm finally back on track.

So this morning I was smart about my long run. I did my first three miles without my fuelbelt, then stopped by the car to put it on and did my next six miles with it. I paused at the car again to drop it off and finished my last two without it.

Finally! A weekend run that left me smiling and confident!

Starting without the weight of the belt, and therefore being more comfortable, went a long way in helping me get through those first few warmup miles. And losing it at the end was amazing! As a result, my paces were more even and were about a minute faster than they've been this summer. I didn't have to walk at all, although I did pause to stretch my calves a couple times when I took fuel.

I ended up doing 11 miles total and felt really good the entire time. I think the slightly lower humidity helped with that. (It was only 76 with 96% humidity when I finished haha.)

Pretty much how I feel after my training this week.

All things said and done, this was a great way to start the long weekend!

Are you running long this weekend?

 Are you a French toast fan?

Running in the rain: yay or nay?

ABK

Plans and Schedules

Isn't it funny how motivation works? Leading up to my 10k this past weekend, I was really struggling to stay motivated enough to continue training for it. Now, with no races lined up in the very near future, I'm suddenly brimming with it; I guess that's a good thing, seeing as I'm planning to tackle a marathon in November.

I've been reflecting on the last few weeks of running and what's been going on for me mentally and physically. Looking back through Daily Mile, I can easily track what my runs - and only my runs - have looked like in the last four weeks. Putting aside cross-training, here's my pattern lately:

As you can see, my weeks have been pretty spotty as far as running goes. Now, this isn't to say I'm not exercising on days I'm not running; the week after traveling for the wedding and all that, I didn't run at all, but I did T25 three days, including a double session on Friday.

I've also noticed that some of my shorter runs have been really hard. My legs feel tired and stiff more often lately. I know it's starting to warm up and get humid again, and my effort feels the same (or more intense), but my paces are slowing down.

My conclusion here is that I need to mix up my cross-training and make sure I'm giving my legs rest days; I also need to run at least three days a week to maintain my fitness and the mileage I feel happiest with.

Now, here's the first five weeks of the prescribed marathon plan from Runner's World's Smart Coach:

It has three days of running scheduled; I think this is ideal. Based on how I've been faring lately, I think three days a week of purposeful runs is a solid foundation. I like the idea that I could add a fun/easy run once in awhile if I wanted, and still avoid over-training.

Taking a cue from Kristina, who has been running 10 miles every weekend and is seeing physical and mental results, I'm going to start adding consistent long runs back into my "non-training" schedule. Even though I'm not training for a specific race, I need to keep doing LSD runs if I want to maintain my confidence.

So, from this point in April through July, when I begin following the plan above, my schedule will look roughly as follows:

So there's that. This week I've already done my bridge run at moderate effort (Monday), so everything else may shift a bit, but I'm looking forward to having a steady schedule to get used to.

How do you plan your weekly workouts?
How often do you cross-train?
How many days a week do you try to run when you're not following a race plan?

ABK

A Daring Heart

I do not have a daring heart. I am not naturally a risk-taker, adventure-seeker, or new-thing-trier. My first reaction is usually to say "no" to anything that requires any kind of courage.

If someone wants me to try something scary, they need to introduce the idea slowly, and preferably with a bribe. It took Matt 8 months to get me to try paddling, and the night before my first paddle I literally threw a tantrum, had a panic attack, and cried at the mere thought of getting on a paddleboard.

My first time ever paddleboarding.

The next morning, on the board itself, I cried with sheer terror...But the tears were cathartic, in a way. They broke down a barrier. Anyone who reads my blog now knows that we paddle weekly, and I even had my first (accidental) night paddle this last Friday.

For how much I hate water, it seems to be a major gateway to learning to have courage. Here I am snorkeling in the Bahamas.

If I can be successfully led into something that terrifies me, I'll usually love it. The person behind most of these new experiences is Matt, and for that I'm forever grateful. He was the one who encouraged me when I first wanted to learn to run, and I think becoming a runner has had everything to do with my willingness to, slowly but eventually, face what scares me.

My first-ever solo race, and the first time I ran a sub30 5k.

Looking back, I realize now that I've conquered a lot of my fears. Maybe I'm teaching my heart to be more daring, and with each new conquest and victory comes a little more bravery.

Matt was the one who prompted me to take my Birthright trip to Israel before I aged out of the program. (Come to think of it, he was also behind getting me to study abroad.) Here I am with my cohort excavating underground ruins.

Running has something to do with it too, I think. After all, every time I set a foot over the starting line of a race, I'm facing that evil little voice in my head that tells me I'll never be a runner. It was right for a long time, but it hasn't been right in years.

It may not seem as scary as traveling the world, but choosing to go to grad school was a major leap of faith...And for an introvert like me, teaching takes courage every day.

Running builds confidence like few other sports can. It forces me to look doubt in the eye and steamroll right over it. It has taught me that my mind is strong and that my body can accomplish great things.

Ziplining in the rainforests of Panama.

The greatest thing about conquering fear and teaching my heart to be more daring is that it's keeping me active. When we live in fear - of ourselves, what others will think, of the world at large, whatever - we tend to hide in safe spaces. Safe spaces rarely get us moving.

Hiking up Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

Climbing rock faces in Leo Carillo, California.

My initial response may still be "no", but at least now I know that "no" is often a lie. Slowly, "no" is becoming "maybe." I hope in the future, my first response to risks and adventures is a resounding and confident "YES!"

Learning to be daring has taught me that I'm not made of glass, that life can be bigger and more enjoyable than I'd ever thought possible, and that if you fake it 'til you feel it, eventually daring will come.

What's the biggest risk you've ever taken?
Are you a naturally daring person?
What has running given you the confidence to do?

ABK

Happy Thoughts

Thanks for all the well-placed pants-kickings on my last post! I had a really fantastic night run on Tuesday; sometimes I need to remember that just because my run didn't get done when I wanted it to, it doesn't mean the entire day is busted. Night runs count, too.

Still, I'd like to get back into taking care of my running in the morning. I have a long run planned for Saturday AM and that should get me back on track for morning runs (I hope).

Today's post is dedicated to happy thoughts.

1. Breakfast for dinner. I spent all of Saturday torturing myself by watching Man vs. Food and Bizarre Foods and other Travel Channel food-related shows. I'm a masochist. By the end, I was craving breakfast. I texted Matt to bring home the bacon - literally - and we had a huge brinner at sundown.

Breaking the fast the right way.

2. Typical Archie, claiming his best perch to preen and be the biggest (and cutest) inconvenience possible.

He's lucky he's cute.

3. The perfect Harry Potter-themed pep talk EVER.

She's speaking my language.

4. Grits and peaches...Who knew this was the perfect combo and pre-run meal?!

Utterly delicious.

5. A fantastic evening run over my favorite bridge. Last time I ran the bridge I had to stop halfway because of the heat. It's cool enough now that I was able to run it twice on a five-miler. My legs were so excited to be outside in "cool" weather that they just took off; the run was just the right amount of challenging, liberating, and fun.

Post-storm, 75-degrees. Perfection.

6. Sneaky students. They've been making these loom bracelets for each other and distributing them in class. Just as I admonished a student for being a distraction, she held up a baggie with a bracelet inside, marked just for me. "But I made you one!" Well played, kid.

It even matches my running shoes!

7. New Bic Bands! These things NEVER slip or pinch! I'm so excited to try a slightly thicker band, and I love that the polka-dot one will match anything! And who can say no to hot pink animal print?

Love.

7. Heather's awesome and humbling shout-out to me (specifically, my post for Suicide Prevention Week) during her half marathon, as seen on her blog.

Seriously awesome. Check out her race recap at www.runlikeag.blogspot.com

 Also making me happy this week? 8. One of my best friends (who I've known since I was three and who was one of my bridesmaids) just got engaged, 9. I'm going to a Rays game with Matt and my brother Friday, and 10. I get to do my long run this weekend at my parents' house, where the paths are gorgeous and never fail to inspire.

Bonus #11? Lots of new music! I had to wipe my iPhone, so now my playlists are fresh and new! I can't wait to listen to them all.

What are your happy thoughts this week?
Do you like breakfast for dinner?
Were you ever a sneaky student who knew how to play the game? (C'mon, mischief-makers, share a school-day story with me!)

ABK

Stumbling Block

This week has been a bust so far. I have to remind myself it's only Tuesday, because I feel like it's already mid-week and I haven't run yet.

It's because I've had four days off.

I feel like a fraud.

I took Saturday off in order to fast, and spent Sunday hungry and exhausted as a result. I did some paddleboarding Sunday, but only to try some new boards; I was hardly on the water for an hour. I have no legitimate excuses for Monday or this morning.

The weather is finally nice here in the mornings (and, honestly, even in the evenings!) so I should be happy to be running. But of course, little wrenches in my plans have thrown off my schedule. Grocery shopping, dinner-cooking, and an earlier sunset have really made it hard to get on track again.

Perfection.

Hopefully admitting this will set me back up for success this week! One thing marathon training has taught me: I enjoy too much OTHER stuff in life to dedicate myself to a training schedule. It kind of sucks, but that's just how I am.

So I need to learn to work around it and make it work, because I want to run this marathon, and I want to do it knowing I put my full effort behind it.

How do you get out of bed in the dark, cold morning hours?
Tell me to suck it up. I need it.

ABK

MTWR 5

Last week, after a disappointing 7 miles total, I set myself some goals that ignored the plan I've been following and focused more on what I felt was right for me. The goals I set were:

Goals for this week: 
    1. Run at least three weekdays, at least 4 miles.
    2. Complete my long run.
    3. Complete a real crosstraining workout at the gym.

This is what training looked like in reality:

Monday, Aug 5	4 miles. Did 4x1 intervals run/walk. Super humid and pretty slow, but so glad I went.
Tuesday, Aug 6	XTrain. 15 minutes “fat burner” setting on stairstepper, 2:00 plank, abductors/adductors (55 lbs x 20 x 2), leg press (50 lbs x 20 x 2), ab machine (50 lbs x 12 x 2)
Wednesday, Aug 7	4 mile progression run on treadmill. Last mile at 8:55. Definitely a morale booster.
Thursday, Aug 8	Rest
Friday, Aug 9	Rest (Summit – all day travel and exhaustion)
Saturday, Aug 10	Rest (recovery from Summit)
Sunday, Aug 11	9 miles on treadmill. 4 or 5 SportsBeans pre-run, 2 Gu Chomps at 2 miles (with water and walk break), 1 Chomp at mile 4. Felt AWESOME. Fast & Furious on TV helped, too haha. Ran in Kayanos. Definitely the right shoes for me.

 
I missed one of my 4-milers, but it was necessary. I was going to run it on Thursday, but had to be up and on a bus by 5am to go to Orlando for an all-day event for school. We didn't get home until well after 9pm. I ended up taking three rest days in a row, which was a little much, but I didn't want to run the day before my long run.

I finally got a fuelbelt that I'm super excited to begin using, but I somehow forgot to turn my alarm on. I woke up with the sun and thought blearily, "Why is is bright out?" Yeah. So I had to do my run on the treadmill.

I refused to let this long run fall by the wayside. I got it done, even if it meant using the treadmill.

I usually get really bored on the treadmill, but I was lucky. I forgot my headphones, but refused to let that stop me. I asked Matt to bring them to the gym at his leisure, and I'd do the first few miles without them. This ended up being okay, actually. I wasn't distracted by trying to skip songs. Plus, The Fast and the Furious was on TV! (I'm such a sucker for those movies.)

I was scheduled for 8 miles. Matt brought my headphones at mile 4. I felt so good, I did an extra mile. I could have even done 10, but I began to have some knee and hip discomfort, and there's no reason to push myself and possibly cause injury at this point.

Feeling so strong left me feeling really positive. I'm excited to tackle 12 miles next week!

I'd been so worried about this run - testing fueling again and doing it on the treadmill instead of outside - that the relief of it being a success has really broken down a wall I was mentally fighting.

Despite keeping the treadmill at the same MPH the entire time, my pace still fluctuated. So weird.

I ate 4 or 5 SportsBeans about 15 minutes before the run. (They're caffeinated.) I was going to run 4x1 intervals but felt too good, so instead I chose to take water breaks every two miles or so. At the first two-mile mark, I ate two Chomps (caffeine free) and had some water; I ate a third Chomp at mile 5.

These things are EASY to eat, tasty, and WORK! Definitely my preference for fuel.

I was still feeling really strong; added an extra mile and pushed my pace.

I did have some "intestinal discomfort" around mile 7. I'm just not used to eating on the run yet. But I didn't have to stop, and the feeling passed.

It was really fun to watch people come and go. I got there just as rush hour began, so there were people on the treadmills on either side of me. As they came and went, I kept on trucking. And my pace was easily under 10 minute miles the entire time, even including my walk breaks. Love it.

The glow of success!

This run also solidified for me that I need to return the Brooks for my Asics. My feet just felt so perfect in my tried-and-true shoes. Now I know that Kayanos are my sole-mates for life!

Did you have a long run or race this weekend?
What are your plans for next week?

ABK

Personal Responsibility

Since returning from California, my running has been in a weird place. A mostly bad place. But I'm trying to replace the idea of "bad" runs with "disappointing" runs or "tough" runs. Any run is a good run because it gets you out there and helps you make progress. Right?

I know my trouble is 90% mental and 10% environmental. Here's why. In California, I was easily running my longer mid-week runs, so I know I'm physically capable. However, I missed my long run while away, and when I got back to Florida I was back in the outdoor-running-state-of-mind.

After one successful 5am run this week, I laid out clothes for the next...and they've stayed there for 3 days.

I miss running outside. The treadmill is boring and tedious, and I admit, I feel less like a "real" runner when 90% of my runs are indoors. But summertime in Florida refuses to cooperate with me. Even when it rains, it's so steamy and humid that I have trouble breathing. My legs have felt heavy and sore on every outdoor run since returning home.

Only in Florida do you see skies like this behind you while skies ahead are bright.

I don't have the option to complete morning runs indoors because my gym doesn't open early enough. I don't want to go to the gym after work because I'm too exhausted.

Running outside - and alone - at 5am is kind of terrifying. And, despite the early hour and lack of sunlight, there's still 90% humidity.

I need to start carrying water on shorter runs in this climate, but I've been putting off getting a fuel belt because I'm afraid I won't like it.

This week I really suffered for my lack of hydration and being on my feet all day. I've been living all summer in flipflops and running shoes; after my first day back at school in work shoes, my feet cramped up and turned into crazy claws for 15 minutes, until Matt fed me a high-potassium smoothie.

The long and short of this is that I have no one to blame for my slacking but myself, and maybe I needed to take some time off because the anxiety and change in schedule that accompanies the beginning of school have left my energy stores empty. But I also don't want to make excuses or allow myself to continue on this path and then have to bow out of the marathon.

Ready for open house to begin! Check out those under-eye circles!

It doesn't help that my last three runs in my new shoes have been less-than-great. Like, uninspired. I go out excited and within a mile feel tired and heavy; there has been some low-grade pain in my legs that I think could be from the shoes. I've been slower than I planned, and had to cut my runs short so that I'd have time to get home and shower to get to work on time.

As much as I want to love them, I have to wonder if I just need to get new Kayanos instead of sticking with the Adrenalines. But maybe it's all in my head!

(This is why I hate shoe-buying.)

As of right now, I'm not at all on track. This needs to change. I'm the only one who can change it. Being behind and knowing I have a plan to follow is stressful, so I'm taking my training into my own hands and ignoring my actual training plan for now.

Goals for this week: 
    1. Run at least three weekdays, at least 4 miles.
    2. Complete my long run.
    3. Complete a real crosstraining workout at the gym.

Once I'm back in the habit, I know getting up early to run will be doable and even easy at times. But this week I've had zero energy. And I hate to admit it, but admitting it will force a change.

Above and below: my post-Open House classroom looks more lived-in and normal!

Besides, I don't want to lie and say things are going well when they're not. This blog is a place for me to ruminate on running: the good, bad, and the ugly.

Now that I've gotten the whining out of my system, it's time to move forward.

How do you motivate yourself out of a slump?
Share some words of wisdom/inspiration!

ABK

What I've Learned

Well, the Runner's World summer run streak is coming to a close. It's crazy how daunting the streak seemed in the beginning, and now how short it seems in retrospect.

39 days of constant running (37 at the time I write this) has taught me more than a couple lessons. Lessons about running, lessons about stamina, lessons about perseverance, and lessons about myself.

I was uncertain how much pressure I could put on myself during this streak. I was afraid if I risked injury, I wouldn't be able to begin marathon training in July. (OMG that's this month, guys!) I was afraid if I pushed too hard or too far, I wouldn't be able to make it without a rest day.

Every. Single. Day. BOOM!

But after the first two weeks of keeping my mileage laughably low, I realized that a single mile can be a rest day. I wouldn't plan to never take a rest day during regular running/training, but on a streak like this, I found an easy mile or two after pushing myself was just what my legs needed.

I realized I'm stronger than I think. I learned that I can transcend discomfort and pain - like during the week I was dealing with shin splints before they miraculously went away - and go beyond my goal. I was ready to call it quits there, and I'm so glad I chose to keep going.

I learned I could set my goal for 3 miles and then tack on one or two more if I was careful about my pace early on.

Negative splits and an additional mile? I feel like a beast!

I learned that there is a place in this world for treadmills.

I learned that focusing on short distances for awhile can drastically improve your pace...I can now run a mile well under 9 minutes without even feeling like I'm working for it; before the streak, that was unheard of.

I learned (or relearned) that working out consistently makes me sweat like a bear. It's downright embarrassing.

Mm, nose sweat!

I learned that I have a huge group of friends - runners and non-runners alike - who are willing to cheer me on, put up with daily facebook posts, and generally pet my ego when I need it.

I learned that when I set a goal and don't want to miss it, I'll do anything, including running at nearly midnight or running through a torrential Florida downpour, lightning included.

After a full day in the airport/on planes, people!

Speaking of, I learned that a good spouse will run with you at 10pm in the pouring rain, even though he's not a runner, just because he loves you.

I learned that refrigerated towels are a luxury I don't want to live without.

This is so glorious, it needs a new word to describe it.

I learned the importance of cross-training, personal accountability, walking-the-walk, and keeping promises you make to yourself.

Mostly, I learned that the limits I've set on myself in the past were simply abstract creations that I put in my own way. If I want something, I can achieve it. Will this lesson stick with me? It's hard to say; some days you feel like Superman (or Superwoman) and can run a fast four miles without a thought, and others even two miles seems daunting.

But the more times you force yourself to face the daunting reality of...whatever...the more successful you'll become. There were days when I was too sore/too hot/too tired to do much more than a mile, but I went anyway and always felt better afterward. Eventually, you remember that, and your current discomfort makes you crave a run even more.

This may be my new mantra.

The challenging runs taught me more than anything else, because I conquered them. I finished them victoriously. The harder a run felt, the more likely I was to add some distance at the end of it, even if just to prove to myself that I am stronger than the whiny voice in my head.

We learn something from the hard runs. Life is a freaking classroom, people. I couldn't plan a lesson as flawless as this run streak.

And now, with the streak due to end in two days, I find the most valuable gift this streak has given to me was a renewed sense of belonging. I am a runner. I belong here. And I feel confident and ready to tackle marathon training. This challenge set me up perfectly to take on the next.

And when in doubt, I can now look back on countless difficult runs during these 39 days alone and think, "Hell, I can do it. I can do anything."

What have you accomplished that you never thought you could?
What has running taught you?
What is the craziest weather you've ever run in?

*If you didn't click the link for Remy's "So I Went for a Run", do it. It's so heart-wrenching and inspiring. Here it is again.

ABK