The Definition of Failure

Last night's run was a failure.

I was due for a 5-mile tempo run with the middle three miles at 9:43. I ate dinner at 6:30 and went to run at 8:15. By the end of the first mile, I was covered in sweat from the humidity and suffering those rolling chills you get when your body wants to expel what you ate and is deciding which avenue would be best to get rid of it.

I immediately slowed down, determined to get five miles in even if they weren't at tempo pace.

By the halfway point, I was in agony. I texted Matt, who was at the gym, to take a specific route home so he'd pass me. He picked me up at just a little under 4.25 miles.

Sulking in the car, blasting the AC to bring down my core temperature, I mumbled, "I'm a failure."

To which he replied, "No, you're not. You got out there and tried. You can't be a failure if you try."

I have a couple opposing views on failure myself. On the one hand, failure's not a good thing; but on the other, we learn from it, and we can't grow or change without it. I tell my students this all the time, and I would be a hypocrite if I didn't apply it to myself.

So yes, my run was a failure, but I can concur with Matt that I, myself, am not.

I've reflected on the run and taken three important lessons from it. 

1. This is the second speed-workout that I did at night and got sick during. I need to do hard-effort runs in the morning.

2. I can't get cocky and expect that hard runs will be easy during the summer. I have to anticipate and plan for speed-work to be tough.

3. I hated to cut the run short and I feel stupid for doing it, but it was for the best based on how dizzy and sick I felt. It doesn't count as quitting if you plan to get back out there.

I won't let this one failed run ruin my week, and I plan to be much smarter and more dedicated to getting all three of my runs done in the morning next week. I can't bounce between evening and morning - I have to be consistent. I usually love tempo runs and I'm not going to let this one jade my feelings toward speed-work.

Spot the apostrophe error and win...pride in being able to tell when an apostrophe is being misused!

I've decided to learn and grow from this run and call it a mental workout. I've decided not to let it beat me.

How do you define failure?

Do you avoid risks (and failure) at all costs?

Tell me about a time you failed and learned from it.

ABK

Two Great Runs

Tuesday's run was the kind that runners love...and spouses of runners dread. Why? Because I came home totally pumped and wanted to tell every single detail as soon as I walked in the door.

Matt was very accommodating, but he had his "I'm kind of judging you/laughing at you" face on.

I had done T25 with Elizabeth, but it was only abs, so I really needed a run, but it looked liked maybe it wouldn't happen due to errands and some weird timing with dinner. I had planned to run a flat route and do a tempo run, but the sun was setting and I knew I'd be finished in the dark, so I needed a better route.

I know it's not recommended, but I decided to do my tempo on the bridge. Double speedwork points!

Temperatures in the 60s, clear skies, and daylight?!

So here's basically what I told Matt, but with less flailing and marginally better use of commas.

Mile 1: Keep it slow, self. A tempo run has to start slow; I might be so excited to be running and my legs feel so fresh but I need to save my energy for the bridge.

Mile 2: OMG OMG OMG I AM FLYING UP THIS BRIDGE I JUST PASSED THOSE COLLEGE GIRLS I'M FLYING!!!

A blurry shot as I began my second ascent on the bridge.

Mile 3: This isn't as easy as it was a minute ago, but I'm nearly done, I can slow down soon, just get through this mile...

Mile 4: This feels too slow. I need to find a balance...there it is. Ah, DONE. I am INVINCIBLE!

Final splits.

You all know the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a grueling run worth being proud of. I was seriously elated all night.

Post-run glow. (This is just for you, Kristina - see, I DO sweat!)

Today, we did T25 again, and then I met Kristin at Fit2Run for the Wednesday fun run. I wanted to get in five miles, but after yesterday's T25, last night's hard run, and this afternoon's workout, my knee needed the break. We kept the pace easy and I chose to cut the run a little short.

Our gorgeous path...it was a breezy 68 today. I love springtime!

Kristin and I talked the entire run; I felt light and happy. It was just the run I needed to complete today's workout without pushing too hard.

Tomorrow we leave in the early afternoon for the second March wedding I've been talking about. I am so excited. I have a new dress that really pushes me out of my comfort zone (meaning it's not black), and Matt is going to look so dapper in his tux.

I'm planning to get a run in either Friday morning or Saturday morning before the festivities begin. Fingers crossed that the weather stays gorgeous!

Sorry to gloat about the weather; you all have my permission to tease me right back from May to October when I'm roasting at 5am!

How are your runs going this week?
Do you like tempo runs?
Bridges: love them or hate them?


ABK

2013 Resolutions...Finally

Nice to get in a good run after I struggled so much earlier this week. Once again I see how much the sun affects me, both mentally and physically. I had a great nighttime tempo run with M, and am officially feeling back on track and ready for 2013. So, without further ado...

I have a very good reason for posting my 2013 new year's resolutions approximately a week late. Studies have shown that you are more likely to keep a resolution if you put time and thought into crafting it. No drunken "I'M GOING TO TRAVEL THE WORLD!" proclamations will do. As such, I usually begin thinking about my resolutions post-Christmas but don't finalize them until the new year has had a chance to set in. That way, I feel ready to let go of the old and welcome the new.

In my goodbye-2012 post, I looked back at my resolutions and summed up how far I'd gotten. I'm mostly pleased with this year's accomplishments, but for some reason I feel let down. Maybe because my last big hurrah of the year was so late in the year - my major goal was set for November, and when I met it, all the wind went out of my sails. That leaves an almost anti-climatic feeling in regard to the final month of 2012, and it's time to shake that. How? Why, by setting in stone (or at least, computer background) the next batch of resolutions!

My 2013 resolutions are detailed this year. I try to steer clear of that because the more detailed I am, the higher my chance of falling short. I like to meet my resolutions…so, the actual goals are numbered; the lettered detail(s) beneath those are my “go the extra mile” goals that I’d like to reach, but I've decided in advance to go easy on myself if I miss them. Seems like I maybe went too in-depth here, but I'm planning to have a really great year to look forward to.

2013 computer background...best way to keep my eye on the prize!

1. This one will be, I think, the hardest. I'm not really in running for speed, and lately I've gotten a lot more out of my relaxed runs than the ones where I'm trying to improve on something. Still, I've been in the 29s for two years now. I'd like to see the 28s.

2. I already have two or three lined up this year, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, this one should be easy. I'm aiming for 2:10, but if I can break 2:10 this year I'd be really pleased. It's much faster than I'm comfortable with, but a fair goal to try for.

3. Same as last year...summer races not included because, of course, when race season ends, it's hard to find actual races. If I can find races in June/July/August, I'll plan to sign up.

4. I think this one is self-explanatory. I'm playing with the idea of running a full marathon either in November 2013 or sometime in 2014, and a super-long-run will help me figure out if I'm feeling ready.

5. This may be the hardest goal to keep. I want to avoid getting bogged down. I love training for races - it keeps me motivated and having fun. Still, I need to focus on where I personally want to see growth and on what makes me a happy runner. And yes, of course I'm not going to give up the blog just because 2012 is over!

(I now realize #5 is the only one I ended with a period. Because this annoys me, I had to share the grammatical error so that I'm not alone in my annoyance. You're welcome.)

So far my 2013 race season looks like this: 

January: Naples Half Marathon
February: FGCU 10k and Edison Festival of Light 5k
March: Hooters Half Marathon, Race for the Cure 5k, and the Fast and the Furriest 5k
April: 10k Run for the Music (Naples)
May: Turtle Trot 5k (Lover's Key)
November: Fort Myers Beach Half (or full) Marathon

(List compiled by K at her resolutions post and stolen by yours truly.)

...Obviously I'm still getting the details worked out. Hey, I can only commit to races that have been set up at this point!

Okay, so that's that. My new year starts...NOW.

ABK