The Sixth Mile: All Eyes Forward

This past Saturday, June 26, 2010, I ran the in Mishawaka Summerfest 5K. If you're looking for an awesome course to run next year, this is a race you've got to do! It's at Mishawaka's Riverwalk, all along the St. Joseph River. Very scenic, pretty much flat, and apparently, very fast! I ran that 5K in a time of 29:17 (9:25 pace). You're probably like, "OK, good for you." No, you don't get it... Exactly FIVE weeks ago I ran my first ever 5K in a time of 31:20 (10:05 pace). In only five weeks, I shaved 2:03 off my time and 40 seconds off my pace!

Many of you know how much that 10:00 pace was killing me. I couldn't get past it. I ran my 10K at the Sunburst with a 10:01 pace. Doggone it! After that, I noticed my practice runs were getting into the 9:40s. Holy moley, where did that come from? And now I ran a race with a 9:25 pace!?!  Just amazing. I'm by no means a fast runner. But for me, that's lightning.

It's true what they say, "Perserverence pays off." No kidding! I was so hung up about breaking through that 10:00, I thought it would never happen. And then it did... and I smoked it. Eye on the prize, guys! Rome wasn't built in a day... and neither was me getting down to a size 10, losing 100 pounds, being able to run 5 miles without keeling over and going into cardiac arrest, and then running a 9:25 mile. Stay focused. Eye on the prize. You'll get there if you stay consistent.

Now here's the thing with that whole consistency deal. Just because you stick with your program and do what you gotta do, it doesn't always mean you'll be running a 9:25 (or whatever your personal best is for you) pace. I did my first run as part of my half marathon training today and my pace was 9:50. Not bad, but no 9:25. Bottom line is, I did it once. I can do it again. No one can take that away from me.

Eyes focused ahead of you, Jess... you're now in half-marathon training!

Next up: The Seventh Mile