6 Mile Run

I am woken up at 6:30 in the morning by my 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter. It is too early to get up, I think, as my aching body rolled over. I shouldn't have stayed up until one in the morning watching Netflix.  The kids are ready for you to get up but I am not. I closed my eyes and tried to get some more sleep.

7:30 came and it was time to get up.  I crept out of bed, still tired. My muscles were aching. Will I even be able to run 6 miles this morning?  I took my time getting ready.  I got in my running clothes and put my hair up tight. If it was too loose it would bug me the whole run.  I double checked my route before grabbing some water and a bite of banana.  By the time I was ready for my run it was 8:30 in the morning. 

It was humid outside and a little cool, great running weather. There was a slight breeze in the air.  My legs were sore as I walked down the sidewalk.  I got to the starting point of my run at the road.  I turned on all my running apps and my music. I was ready to start running. An old woman was walking down the road and passed me.   I felt slightly foolish when I started my run.  I limp-ran passed the woman. The muscles in my legs hurt.  They didn't want to run, they wanted to go back to bed.  On top of that I had started my run on a hill and my legs did not appreciate how hard they had to work from the get go. I knew it would take me a mile of running to get going, to pass the limp-running.

The cool air felt good on my face.  The "dance cardio" Pandora station was blasting in my ears, giving me a boost of energy.  If only my legs were as pumped up as the rest of my body. They were sore. Sore from running 3 times a week for the last 2 months. My right calve muscle has been really sore, and the cause of my limp-running.  As I ran my limping decreased and the muscles in my leg felt better as I ran farther.

At 11 minutes and 16 seconds I completed my first mile.  My body was all warmed up and my legs didn't hurt as much. I was still unsure whether or not I would make all 6 miles but I continued on.  I had reached a gradual downhill which really motivated me. I let the hill take me and I sped up a little bit.  I am starting to get a grasp on distances, and knew I was getting close to finishing my second mile.  On Facebook I posted my run with Nike+ running app, in which people could like or comment on my status as I ran and I would hear applause in my ear. I would hear clapping throughout my run and it really encouraged me. Thanks guys!

I ended mile 2 at 21 minutes and 53 seconds (this time it was a 10:36 minute mile) and was feeling pretty good.  I wasn't tired. I wasn't aching. I didn't even think "ok, 4 miles to go!" I just ran. And I enjoyed it. I listened to the music. I sang in my head. I was a little nervous--I had been running on a very public road and turned onto a running path that veers away from the houses. My paranoid part of me was prepared though, and I got out my pepper spray. I was ready for anything! To my relief there was no person or snake that passed me on my run across the jogging path.  It was a proud moment to go the whole path without stopping. In previous runs I had stopped many times on that path to catch my breath.

I hit the halfway point, 3 miles, at 33 minutes and 8 seconds.  My third mile took me 11 minutes and 15 seconds. I could have run longer but I was by a park and stopped for a moment, thinking I might use the restroom. Then I changed my mind. A friend told me I should train to not stop for bathroom breaks and I took her advice. I caught my breath and drank some water. I thought about eating the shot bloks I brought along but decided to wait until I got to 3.5 miles. After a quick breather and a little stretching I continued on for the last three miles.

The fourth mile was my hardest and longest.  I am not sure if it was because it was getting warmer, or because I knew I had three more miles to run... Maybe it was all psychological or maybe I needed an energy boost, I am not sure.  Around 3.5 miles I stopped to eat the shot bloks.  It was very interesting.  I was gel-like, but more solid.  It was very sweet. I chugged down water after eating it and continued on. I finished the 4th mile in 12 minutes and 9 seconds, running 45 minutes and 16 seconds total.  I thought to myself, "only 2 miles to go". I didn't dread the last two miles. I knew I could do it. I just had to keep going.

I ran the 5th mile in 11 minutes and 1 second. That brought my time to 56 minutes and 17 seconds. I was very happy with that seeing as just last Saturday I ran 5 miles in 1 hour and 2 minutes.  My Endomondo app estimated that I would finish my 6 mile run in 1 hour and 8 minutes. I wanted to beat that estimated time. I think the shot bloks I ate had kicked in because I did feel refreshed and energized.

When I started that last mile I was excited, but also ready to be done.  There was a downhill and I knew it would benefit me to take that hill fast, and so I did. And when I got the the flat part I ran it hard as well. I got really excited when I rounded the corner because I was close to the 6 mile mark. But not as close as I thought. I kept running though until my running apps said I had ran 6 miles.  As I ran I felt such pride in myself for running 6 miles. I didn't walk any part of that 6 miles, I ran it. I was in awe I think. I couldn't believe that me, a lazy mom of 2 who quits almost everything I start, not only completed 6 miles but ran it.

My time for my first 6 mile run was 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 49 seconds. I ran the 6th mile in 9 minutes and 32 seconds.  I was feeling good. I was feeling proud. I thought to myself "Yes! You did this! You are amazing!!" I think that is my fastest mile time in general.  I couldn't believe I had the energy to run the last mile so fast. I did think to myself "I could run longer but I am glad I don't have to." I felt so exhilarated.  I accomplished something that maybe even a few months ago I wouldn't have thought I could.  Today I ran almost half of a half marathon. Ha ha! So at least I know I can run, without stopping, halfway through my half marathon.

I feel really good about my first 6 mile run. It is the farthest I have run in my life and I am proud of this accomplishment. I not only finished the 6 miles but I beat the expected finish time.  By the time I finished my run my legs, which were aching at the start, felt good.

I stretched out really good after my run and then made a protein shake.  I also drank a lot of water. So that was my first 6 mile run experience. 6 miles in 1:05:49. My time is by no means the time of a racer. But I am not a racer. I am a runner.