In the Big Scheme of Things

Last Wednesday was my first ever 3-mile tempo. I wasn't nervous, but I was unsure how fast to run or how it was going to feel. I was late to class due to leaving piano late and then sitting in horrible traffic on Mopac due to a wreck. I got the boys home, changed, and was back on the road to the trail.

Everyone else started their tempo while I was finishing my warm-up. Two of the fast girls were in my class - Elizabeth and Erin, and I saw them go flying by on their 3-mile jaunt. I waved to everyone and gave them a thumbs up and then headed over to Gilbert for instructions. Andre was there with him, and both gave me varying advice. Andre's sounded more reasonable, so I started off. Since this was my first 3-mile tempo, I was going to run comfortably hard by feel and not focus on my watch.

The first mile was fine - 9:55. I thought maybe it was a little slow, but oh well. I saw the Fast Girls between the 1 and 1.25 mile marker, and they looked like they were running strides with their super high-knees and butt-kicks. The second mile was the hardest; I suppose from the hills and unfamiliar terrain. I wasn't sure exactly where the 1.5 marker was and feared I would run right by it. I didn't, of course.

The 3rd mile I knew I needed to pick it up. I felt fine physically. The 2nd mile was slower...9:58 I think. I secretly wanted to be under 30 minutes, but I didn't know really what to expect. I did think as I passed the 1 mile marker again how normally I would be done with my tempo run. I tried to pick up the pace. I didn't look at my watch, so I didn't know how I was doing. I felt that I had picked it up, but I wasn't pushing so hard that I couldn't maintain the pace. After the small hill past the 1/2 mile marker, I tried to pick the pace up again. At the Stevie statue, I tried to sprint in. Final mile was 9:36. It was a very do-able run. I ran that first one very smart, and I feel like it's a good starting point to improve upon.

Overall time was 29.30.

In the last mile, I kept repeating how many minutes left. One thing I used to say all the time was, "What's 5 minutes in the big scheme of things?" That would encourage me to keep running for 5 more minutes (or however many minutes). Well, when I turned the corner off the bridge for my last mile, I said to myself, "What's 10 more minutes in the big scheme of things?"

Well, it got me thinking about how in certain situations, 10 more minutes is immensely important. Sure, "in the big scheme of things" 10 minutes is so minuscule that it might not even be worth measuring. However, 10 more minutes with my dad "in the big scheme of things" is beyond measure. So I pondered this through to the 3/4 marker, and then started chanting how many minutes left.

It gave me something to think about and focus on. As I passed the 1/2 mile marker, I lowered the minutes, "4-5 minutes left. 4-5 minutes left." As I got off the sidewalk and back on the trail it was "3-4 minutes left" and then "2-3 minutes left" as I approached the 1/4 mile marker. It got me through and kept me focused on maintaining my pace. I don't know if I'll try it again. I've tried other focusing-techniques and mantras. I like this one b/c it changes as the run continues - shows the progress I'm making and hearing the time dwindle was motivating.

So, the Fast Girls are so fast. Elizabeth's time was 26:03 and Erin's was 26:30. Something for me to strive for, but first I might need to lose 10 pounds. ;o)