Anyone else washed up here? Ha!
Once I started college, I kissed goodbye to my vigorous training schedule, which included morning lifts and running 10 miles with ease. Oof. During freshman year, I let my body slip away. I actually lost weight (around five pounds) from muscle loss and felt so much worse. I woke up feeling drained and cranky. As someone who cannot sit still, I needed to fall in love again with my (once) strict fitness routine.
Last winter, I started out slow. Not at all proud of my winter training but had to start somewhere. Slowly but surely, I managed to pull of a few six milers with some speed thrown here and there. I would finish my workout with either bleacher sets or 400 repeats at the local track. Fast forward to spring 2020, I’ve build up mileage – partly to stay sane at home but also in hopes of (maybe??) signing up for a half marathon once the pandemic ends. I definitely regret not running a half while I was in the best shape of my life two years ago. My current long runs are 8 or 9 miles, and I hope to build up to at least 10 in June. I need to be more consistent with my pacing but my mileage buildup has been okay so far.
Monday means long run day. Funny how I hated long distance races in high school, since I performed better at mid-distance events like the 800m and 1600m. Weird that I enjoy long runs but honestly love runner’s high and letting out my energy (without focusing on time/pacing too much) after a long day of classes.
Note to self: try to avoid hills the day before a long run. Your legs will feel it. You will regret it.
Sar
