Ah, So I Made It! My Run and My Move

So, here we are, at the new place!

I’m going to take some time working on the design. For now, I’m still trying to get used to the new pad :0)

So I made it, my move, and I also made my long run today-7.5 miles. Longest one I’ve had in a while.

Now, I’ve been dreading my long runs, I have to tell you. I couldn’t figure out why, when they were so looked forward to back when I was training for the first marathon.

Honestly, the night before my long runs I would be so excited getting things ready: pack, drinks, gel, etc . . . Making sure the batteries were working in the MP3 player, getting everything all set up for the long run, that was so much fun. And then when I woke in the mornings I got so excited, so ready.

This time around I’ve had a difficult time getting into it. Wasn’t sure what it was. I was excited the night before, but on the day of I just couldn’t quite build up tha texcitement. I’d hit about 4 miles and then think, “When will this be done?”
Not today, and I figured out the reason why.

Today I headed to the beach. It’s 3.7 miles to get there, so I have to do it when I have at least 7.5 to run.

So this was my first beach trek since I started training again, and it was fantastic just to have a goal.

I figured out as I was running, and as I was truly enjoying the run, that the reason I had such a hard time in the past few weeks doing these longer runs was because I had no ultimate goal in mind.

Instead, I would head out knowing I had to do 6 or so miles and I would not have a place to go and a place to return to. Instead, I would run haphazardly down streets around my neighborhood.

Boring to do it for more than 3 miles or so, I can tell you.

Today I had a goal: To get to the ocean and back.

I had no problem getting there, and no problem getting back.

It was a great run, the first great longer run in a while. I’m looking forward to them again.

I think that’s the key to long distance running: You have to have a goal. At least, I do.

If you are having a difficult time with your long runs but you don’t have an ultimate goal, try making one. Plan your route in advance, figure out what you might see as you run.