Oh the paces you'll go...

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

~Dr. Seuss

First of all...if you haven't already, please check out my "runners" giveaway HERE 

Saturday I ran the Rebuilding Together 5k.  It's a flat, fast, course. Last year I set a PR with a 24:10.  This year I expected another PR...and I did.  I ran a 23:55..avg pace 7:41.  So why was I disappointed?  This year my training is twice what it was last year. I could have and should have(according to my training) run it in under 23mins.  So why didn't I?  A few factors.
I am not that great at internally gauging my pace.  I started out pretty fast and felt good...so I slowed down.  I was afraid if I went out too fast I wouldn't have anything left at the end.  I was wrong. Too much self doubt!
I finished and felt like I still had a good bit left. I have decided to run another 5k in two weeks. The Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 5k.  This time I have a friend, a Fleet Feet Racer, who offered to pace me to a PR. My goal is a sub 23.

Last night my training schedule called for 6miles w/6 strides.  

Mile 1:  8:12

Mile 2: 7:51

Mile 3: 8:20

Mile 4: 8:10

Mile 5: 8:12

Mile 6: 7:56

Most of my training for this marathon has been solo.  There have been times where I feel like I'm just not pushing myself hard enough.  Or that I was too ambitious thinking I could ever qualify for Boston. Last night, before my run I considered calling it a rest day.  I just wasn't feeling it.  I was tired..the kids have all been sick....it was cold outside.  I had come up with every excuse I could think of to NOT run.  In fact, by 5pm I was already in my pajamas and ready to have an "I can't do this" pity party.
And then....
I got mad.  I got mad at myself for letting doubt creep in.  For letting a "feeling" get the best of me. I got mad enough that I put my running shoes on and hit the pavement.
I had to remind myself that my goal to BQ is not just a "feeling". I won't always "feel" like running or stretching or eating right. But every time I choose to push through...every good choice I make gets me one step closer to my goal and makes me that much stronger.


God reminded me during my run last night:
This is also how faith works. Faith is NOT a feeling. I don't always "feel" God around me.  I can't always see Him moving and working in my life. But I KNOW that God is here always working and moving on my behalf.  There are times when I "feel" like I have come against a wall or that the devil is testing me; those are the times when I KNOW that if I push through...if I don't let my feelings and circumstances dictated to me what to do..the blessings are always on the other side...and I will always come out stronger.

You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

~Dr. Seuss 

Grace and Peace,

Please check out my giveaway HERE