Finding Motivation

Yesterday I was in Copley Square, I used to work there and be in Copley Square every day, I now work in Cambridge and do not often be in Copley Square much. There were workers out putting together the seating for the finish line of the Boston Marathon, which is this upcoming Monday, and the 2008 Women's Trials this upcoming Sunday.

I ran my first Boston Marathon last year, check out my blog dedicated to it... http://emmabagnell-boston.blogspot.com/. It really made me think of the current state of my running, and those few pounds (5 or 6) that I have put on these past few months.

My running over the winter has been averaging maybe 20 miles a month, whereas last year when training for Boston I started with averaging 20 miles a week to 30/35 miles a week. Definately a big difference!!!

I feel sluggish now on my runs and I feel awkward form wise. I experienced quite a few foot/ankle issues last year and toward the latter part of the year I began skipping runs to allow more recovery, then I went through the old run one day, things hurt wait a day or two and then run. At some point towards the end of October I really stopped running on a regular basis.

I did the BAA Half in October with a goal of breaking 2hrs for the second time that year (I ran a 1:58 in the More Half Marathon in New York that March), the last several miles of the BAA Half I was in lots of pain with my foot/ankle and for the rest of October I did no running. That was the start of the downslide!!!

In early November I ran 2 back-to-back 5ks in consective weeks and lowered my PR in both, I set a new PR of 25mins 15secs, which thrilled me as I find shorter races challenging as I feel like when I run it takes me 15 mintues to get into my groove. Along the way for the first time I placed in my age-group, and got my first running trophy - ok it was a beer glass with the name of the race, but I was thrilled!

Pretty much after that race, my ankle/foot hurt and I lost interest... so since middle of November to now,
I run somedays,
I have more non-running days than running days.
I have put on some weight, my favorite jeans no longer fit
I have been more moody and definately find getting up in the mornings is harder....
I also have been missing out on all the endorphins, all the extra energy that I had while running.

It all stops now!!! Being in Copley Square, seeing them prepare for one of the greatest sporting events - The Boston Marathon - has made me nostaglic.

I want to run, I want to lose some weight, I want to be strong, I want to sweat so much the salt crystals on my face, and people stop on the street to tell me I have sun-burn and I explain actually no, I just ran!!