Running the Distance

So, I realized that in three short weeks I have my first ever 10k. I also realized that I have not been sticking with a training plan - at all. Then I started to get a little scared. I signed up for a 10k - that's 6.2 miles. I've NEVER run that far before. What was I thinking?! I told myself to calm down and find my training plan. It felt like ages since I'd even looked at the plan. I started with the race date and counted backwards. I was surprised to see that I was right on track! I've been running about 3 to 3.5 miles every time I go to the gym. I was only behind by one week. So, I marked on the calendar the number of miles I needed to run each week and then figured out a plan for getting those miles in each and every week until the race. The long runs were scheduled for the weekend. I know me. That's not going to happen. I moved them to Thursdays.
This week my long run is 4.5 miles. Next week it's 5. The week after is 5.5 and then it's my 10k. I went to the gym today with the goal of running 4.5 miles. I haven't run that far in a long time.
I got to Gold's and the movie in the movie room was, "The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." Sweet! I can run while watching Matthew McConaughey, no problem-o! This is how I felt while running today...

Strong, healthy, cool. Then I hit the 5k mark and started thinking, I've only run a 5k. I've still got almost a mile and a half to go. Alright, let's take this half a mile at a time. I got to 3.75 and started thinking there was no way I was going to make it to 4.5 miles today. I'll just run until I hit 4. I'm pretty sure by this point that I looked a lot like this...

Ha, ha, ha. At 4 miles, I slowed the pace down to 5.8 (I was averaging around 6.2 speed...just trying to make it go faster). I told myself that I can't stop because then I'd have to blog about not being able to go the distance. Sigh. I kicked it up to 6.6 and hauled tail. As soon as I hit 4.5 miles I slowed down to a speed of 5.8 and I swear I had the biggest smile on my face!!!! I DID IT!!!! Kept slowing down and finally finished off my workout with 4.78 miles in 50 minutes. I was so proud of myself.
I have all the confidence in the World right now. I can run 6.2 miles in three weeks, I just know I can!! And you know what, in March, I'm running 13.1 miles! Nothing is going to stop me now. I feel so confident. I feel as if life has gotten better since I've started running. It allows me to set goals and most times not only reach them but blaze right on through them.