Saturday, August 3, 2013

Feelin' HOT, HOT, HOT!!! What's your commitment?

Temperatures go up.  And your speed goes down.  It's discouraging.  I know.  I dealt with it this morning.  It can be discouraging going from a race where your average was less than a 12 minute mile to a training run with a 15 minute mile.  Very discouraging, indeed.  Some days, it can be enough to make you pack up your running shoes, Gu Chomps, and Sparkle skirts and put them in the attic.

Here's the truth of the matter:  according to Jeff Galloway, you should add 30 seconds to your time for every 5 degrees above 60 degrees.  The day I ran that 12 minute mile, it was around 60 degrees.  Today's temperature was 85 degrees.  So I could expect a 2.5 minute per mile increase--around 14.5 minutes per mile.  I started faster than I should have this morning, so I can understand the 15 minute mile.  That doesn't keep it from being discouraging when you see the average speed going down on the Nike+ Sport Watch.  It doesn't keep the irritating voice in your head from stealing your thunder.

I've long talked about my playlists that I listen to when running.  At about 3 miles today, I hit a wall.  The song that the iPhone shuffled to was Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns:

          "And I will Praise You in this storm
           And I will lift my hands
           For You are Who You are,
           No matter where I am
           And every tear I've cried
           You hold in Your hand
           You never left my side. . ."

Wow.  I've also seen on Pinterest two quotes that I relate well to:

"Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you"

"I rather say 'I did it' than 'I gave up'"

There is no reason to turn your back on a commitment.  I liken my running to signing a contract for a job or taking a vow.  I've committed to that job, whether I like it all the time or not.  Seventeen years ago, I took a vow.  There are times that he makes me mad, frustrated, tired.  In other words, sometimes the mood in which I was in on August 3, 1996 has completely left me.  But I made a commitment.  Here's the thing--is running as serious as a commitment to run a marathon?

I think every commitment, if worth taking, is as important as the others.

Regardless of how hot, tired, sore, cold I feel, I intend to keep my commitment.

Even if it means that I go way too slow.
 

A welcome sight from yesterday's run:  My finish line.

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  ~~Joshua 1:9

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