The past few training runs have felt like the “grind it out” kind of runs. I didn’t feel like I was running particularly well or bad. They were just what they were. Yet, my finishing times were consistent with other runs where I felt amazing and strong. These finishing times seem to be more determined by the amount of traffic lights I’m stopped at or the amount of time I spend stopped at them than lack of ability to run faster. For example, there is one light, at Arroyo Parkway and California Blvd. that I either make or I’m stuck for a long wait. I do mean long…like 2 to 2 1/2 minutes long. In a short, 3.1 mile run, that adds nearly 1 minute per mile to my average pace. In addition to that light, there are a couple of others that can stop me for around a minute. Since I do this course a lot, I know where the trouble traffic lights are located. As I approach those intersections, if the light is green, I do push a little harder to cross. However, as I’ve been finding consistent running, I’m learning that these traffic lights can be the cause of slower times and not to stress about the finishing time as much when I am unlucky with the traffic lights. It still feels like a climb, though.

As I mentioned, I have been feeling like my training has become more of a grind lately. I can feel the longer training runs coming. Beginning this Saturday, each “long run” I complete will be the longest training run I’ve ever done. This Saturday, I’ll be going 8 miles and am thinking it’s time for a beach run. What do you think?

The training plan I’m on has long runs every other week. So, I’ll be going 8 miles this week, then 9.5 two weeks later, 11 miles, 12.5 miles, and 14 miles before running in the Disneyland Half Marathon. The down weeks will be 4 mile runs with the exception of June 30th (10K race in Pasadena) and August 24th (Awesome 80’s 5K also in Pasadena). Looking at all of that gives me the feeling that the warm up training runs are behind me and the time for the real training starts this weekend.

It’s in times like these, where the training feels like a grind, where inspirational videos like this one really helps.

Or, thinking about the reward for all of this training can help as well.

Week 8 is moving along. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) I most certainly intend to.