Long Run Cliff

on December 30, 2012
in All Posts

I was not feeling my long run today.  It’s Sunday, and that means I left it to the very last minute… I was at risk of falling over the Long Run Cliff.  I had to do it today. And yet I still felt compelled to spend the entire morning debating myself. Winking smile Hmmm….

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After a while, I just suited up and went on my damn run.  It wasn’t so bad once I got out there.

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I confess… I’ve been bribing myself a bit with the long runs.  I plan something fun into them.  A few weeks back, I drove to a new trail, which was neat.  And last week, I ran 4.0 with Nicole and the remaining 6.0 by myself.  Today, I mapped out my course so I ran out and back to my dad’s house.  I’ve got to stop breaking up my long runs – Nicole and I talked for a half hour or something when I dropped her off, and Dad and I chatted for a while – but it’s SO worth it.  It’s a total carrot to plan something fun into my workouts.  After all… 11.0 miles is a long, long way to go. 

 

I called DadHTP and said, “Hey, I’m running to your house.” And he said, “Okay, drive on over.”  And I replied, “No, no… I am literally running over.  Like on foot.” 

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I sat on his couch, ate raisins, and drank a Coke (too bad I can’t do that 5.5 miles into the race…). And then I ran home.  My overall pace was pretty decent.  I think I maintained 10:00/miles most of the time and only took a few walking breaks.

 

After a shower, we went to the clinic to fill a few orders and work on our new website, Vitamins for Vegetarians (<— check it out!).

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Henry helped. Smile

 

Anyone else ever bribe themselves with friends or fun new routes?  It works!

{ 28 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats December 30, 2012, 7:22 pm

    Well race day will be much more entertaining than just a normal long run, so hopefully you won’t need the break! And if you do, just have someone stationed halfway through that you can stop and chat with! Ha!

  • lisa fine December 30, 2012, 7:25 pm

    My friends and I were just talking about that today! On January 1st I’ll start training for my first marathon, and we were all (half) joking about how I should find routes for my long runs to allow myself to go home and take a break. Otherwise, those runs may not happen. Maybe your dad could meet you halfway through the race with a Coke and some raisins. 🙂

  • MissPinkKate December 30, 2012, 7:28 pm

    You haven’t seemed that into running lately- do you think you’ll take a break once the half-marathon is over? You might find some time off from running will help re-ignite your natural interest in it.

    • Caitlin December 30, 2012, 7:36 pm

      Yes def. I like shorter runs. 11 is too long!!!

      • Amy December 30, 2012, 7:42 pm

        I was just going to comment the same thing. Maybe after the half, you’ll find something else to do fitness-wise. I feel bad that you’re forcing yourself to do these runs!

        • Caitlin December 30, 2012, 8:39 pm

          I have really enjoyed the longish but not long runs. I think the 10K distance for me is perfect right now. My five milers feel awesome, it’s just so hard to dedicate three hours to training on Saturdays or Sundays (by the time I run, eat, shower). I am really looking forward to the race (PAYOFF!) but I am more looking forward to chilling out a bit!

  • Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin December 30, 2012, 7:32 pm

    I am the opposite.. if I break up my longer runs like that I would never finish them. I would just somehow convince myself it was okay that I stopped and didn’t need to keep running! I don’t even like to stop and walk at all because it’s easier to keep running than make myself start up again!

    • Katie H. December 30, 2012, 8:33 pm

      I’m with you, Hayley! I just try to distract myself by getting into a podcast or an audiobook or a playlist… or planning a blog post in my head 🙂 Then the miles seem to fly by!

  • Janie Kaiser December 30, 2012, 7:39 pm

    If I really don’t feel it I listen to a podcast (wait wait don’t tell me by NPR is fantastic!) or I listen to an audiobook. It slows down my pace but it keeps me moving outside. Also, I drive to a trail and do out and back style things so that I can’t cut it short and go to my car really because I just think of it in halves- so I only have to run this half right now- and then when I finish that half I can’t turn in because I have gotten far away have have to run all the way back to my car. By that point I’m usually into it. Although with the recent snow and freezing temps. I haven’t spent any time outside running in awhile….

  • Elizabeth December 30, 2012, 7:41 pm

    That’s a fun way to do a run! During the fall, I struggled a lot of the time to even get out and do my 3 mile runs. Now, I’m snowed in almost every day and I am so grateful every time I get out there that I get excited for ANY run! It irks me that my training is limited by the weather rather than my own will. And I feel much more negatively about snow than I used to, LOL.

  • Jessica December 30, 2012, 7:48 pm

    I totally bribe myself. It has mainly been with my favorite tv show; I will only let myself watch it on the treadmill. I recently got into the show Revenge and downloaded every single episode. It totally keeps me hanging and excited to run! I am so looking forward to running each day to find out what is happening in the show! I know. Geek alert. I also eat lunch right after my lunch and sometimes I picture the amazing pb and j i am going to devour after the run. Is that bribery? 😉 Anyway I try not to break runs up but given my longest run post baby is 6 miles, there really isn’t a need. When I am planning on doing, say 6, and I only get 4 in before Zach wakes from his nap and I then do 2 more at a later time that day, it hurts. I feel like my legs feel super heavy when I leave time between my miles. Does anyone else feel that way? Anyway you go girl!!!

  • Lauren December 30, 2012, 8:17 pm

    I like to break up my long runs but more like a 5 min break. I tell myself I’ll run half of it and then break to drink/pee/walk, etc. and then run the other half. It mentally helps me get through.

  • Stacey December 30, 2012, 8:20 pm

    Are you planning to format your vitamin website so that it is compatible with tablets? It does load in a reader friendly way on my iPad.

    • Caitlin December 30, 2012, 8:37 pm

      We are working on it! Thanks for reminding us 🙂

      • Stacey December 31, 2012, 9:32 am

        Sorry, that should have said “it does not…” I just wanted to point it out because I have clicked on the site a couple of times when you have mentioned it on the blog, but I am always on my iPad so I am not able to spend any time browsing the products.

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More December 30, 2012, 8:37 pm

    The raisins you can probably do on race day but probably not while sitting on Dad HTPs couch. At least not until AFTER the race. 😉

  • Regina December 30, 2012, 8:51 pm

    My husband and I plan our date for the week during our long runs. Its funny how much our cravings change from beginning to end of our runs. Usually beer is on the menu. And baby snuggles 🙂

  • Sara @ fitcupcaker December 30, 2012, 9:06 pm

    Once I start running I just want to get it over with lol! My friend always told me she craved a beer after a long run, and she never drank beer. So funny!

  • May December 30, 2012, 9:11 pm

    I love running because it’s my time alone to think and burn off my anxiety or whatever might be going on in my life. I can’t say I’ve ever had to bribe myself to run-I do love to upload new music sometimes though and then I really look forward to the run to some great music.

  • Adrianna December 30, 2012, 9:32 pm

    new routes are very motivational…love pretty scenery! I take a walk break or two, but really just strive to finish…and then eat and nap.

    been meaning to say this for awhile, but Henry is really getting cuter by the minute! adore all the pics.

  • Caitlin December 30, 2012, 11:15 pm

    Hi Caitlin! I just registered for my first ever half-marathon (longest I’ve ever run is 7 miles). I’m TERRIFIED!!! I have this chilling feeling in my bones that’s laced with excitement and adrenaline. You have been a huge inspiration to me running wise. I read through like all of your race recaps before I registered (which was…5 minutes ago!) I’m going to use Hal Higdon’s plan, but I really love strength training/circuit workouts and would love to be able to pull off only running 3 times a week. Do you think it’s okay to tinker around with training plans a bit, even though it’s my first long race? I’m so overwhelmed!!!

  • Cristin December 30, 2012, 11:57 pm

    I have a dumb question. Why do you run? It just seems like you hate it. Hell, I hate it, but I have found that working out in the gym, doing the elliptical, taking walks is much better for me. Is it only so you can do the marathons? Please forgive me if I’m coming across as rude, I don’t mean to be. I just don’t really get why you run when it seems like your least favorite thing to do.

    • Caitlin December 31, 2012, 6:47 am

      I think I will address this today 🙂

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action December 31, 2012, 2:00 am

    Love that you bribe yourself! I definitely do the same thing.

    I guess if you’re racing just for fun and not for a PR, then you technically could take a 30 minute break and chat with a friend in the middle. Though I doubt anyone would do that once the competitive juices get flowing.

    Congrats on getting out there for an 11 mile run! That is truly impressive.

  • Army Amy* December 31, 2012, 6:51 am

    I used to have a variety of things to help pump me up and encouragement to bust out the miles: running with my running club, listening to great tunes, thinking about the big ol’ burrito I’d eat afterwards. But then I moved. No running club, no listening to music (the road I run has no sidewalk, so I need to pay attention to cars), and worst of all – no burritos! Thankfully, that awesome runner’s high is enough to get me out there on the pavement, but I do miss all the good things that running used to involve before I moved.*

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed December 31, 2012, 7:44 am

    All of the long runs for my half training were done with buddies! I think running 8+ miles alone is pretty torturous and the only reason I made it through my last training run (12 miles in the heat) was my friends!

  • Keri December 31, 2012, 9:01 am

    I hate long runs too. I love running 5 miles or less during training runs. I love half marathon RACES and the pride I feel at accomplishing them, but I loathe training for them. Treats are awesome! Too bad I’m still too new to Denver to have training buddies.

    On another note, I love the vegetarian/vegan vitamins page. Will you put together a package of vitamins to take for pregnant vegans/vegetarians? Thanks!

  • Amber K January 3, 2013, 9:17 pm

    Okay, I have to admit that I’m impressed by anyone that can motivate themselves to run. I discovered early on in my weight loss journey that I was not a runner. I’m a read-a-book-while-on-the-elliptical…er. I like to line dance. I like to…sit on the couch? lol Good for you for getting out there!

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