IT issues and pacing

I skipped one run and one workout this past week. I felt awful about it. My IT band has been really tight lately, and it was starting to ache after my 2-mile sprint training on Tuesday. I moved my rest day to Wednesday to give it a day to heal. I intended to do my 3.5 mile run on Thursday, but my leg was still hurting and my schedule was packed. My friend called and asked to meet for coffee on Friday morning. I skipped my Friday workout. By the time Friday night rolled around, I was in a bad mood. My faith in my running abilities had bottomed out. I was convinced that I should quit my half marathon training. Isn't that crazy? I skip a couple of workouts and am instantly convinced that I suck.

I had my alarm set for 6am to get in a 5 mile run this morning. It didn't happen, at least not at 6am. We had an awful night last night. If one kid wasn't unhappy and screaming and crying, then the other one was. I didn't get to sleep until after 2am, and that was with me sleeping at the foot of my bed with my 4-year old crammed against me. It was really bad. I instantly turned my alarm off at 6 and went back to sleep. I finally got up at 9am, but I didn't feel like going to the track. All of my outdoor runs have been at the outdoor track at my local Y. It's convenient and helps me pace myself. It also helps that I can put the girls in the childcare area if they are with me. I decided against the track this morning and mapped out a 5 mile run in my neighborhood and the neighborhood next door to mine. I was so nervous! I figured that my time wouldn't be so good since I hadn't done any hill training. The two neighborhoods I ran in are very hilly. I had to walk a few hills, and it took a lot of concentration on the way back down not to fall.

I started out and ran my first mile on the most straight and flat stretch of road. I had a really hard time pacing myself, which was obvious when I finished my first mile in 9 minutes! I have yet to break 9:15 on my fastest mile, so I guess I set a new PR! I knew I was in trouble because I had to slow down or I would burn out, but seeing my time at that first mile renewed my energy. I finished my second mile in 11 minutes, and miles 3 and 4 in about 12 minutes each. I sped up my last mile and managed to do it in around 11 minutes. My total pace ended up at 11:11 per mile, which is 17 seconds faster than last week's 5-miler! I was psyched when I saw my pace time. I feel like maybe I haven't been pushing myself hard enough at the track.

I feel so much better now about the half marathon. I no longer want to drop out of training. My determination is totally renewed!