A need for speed....

I signed up last minute for a 5 mile race on Sunday with my local running club.  It was FREE (love that!) to all members so I really had nothing to lose.

I will start off by saying - I did not want to run yesterday.  I did NOT want to run.  I drug my butt out to the race.  I'm not certain why I was so "under"motivated.  Maybe it's because the race didn't start until 10am and by then I was all nice and comfy in my house not wanting to leave.  There's something to be said for getting up and out early.

Anyways....

Let's be real - even though the race was free - the only runners signing up for a run on February 5th are RUNNERS!  As in - seriously - way faster than me - runners. 

As you know - I'm training for a half marathon.  One of my problems with races is that I really am tired after I run them.  I'm honestly not certain why - I think its the mental strain as much as the physical strain because (as noted by my finishing time) I don't really "race" much faster than I train.

I told myself as I was running that I was counting this as my weekly long run and nothing more.  (at the end of the race I ran for another mile to give myself 6 for the long run - which was my target)  I didn't want to push myself because I wanted to make sure I could continue to train according to my schedule for the week. 

I realize at this point a lot of this endless rambling is just nonsense to you so I'll try and make my point.  I ran my 5 mile race in 53:10.  That's almost 2 minutes more than my PR on it - and even though I know I didn't push myself as hard as I could have - I'm disappointed in the time.  It was a really easy course.  NOT TO MENTION there were only about 10 people behind me - out of 120ppl.  WHY am I so slow? 

I know I should train on speed - but I also need to train on endurance.  It doesn't matter how fast I can run a mile if I can't run 13 of them in April.  I know it's a combination and I am doing some speed training - but it seems when I race - my body sets its pace and I -  apparently - haven't found yet the mental strength to push past it. 

PLUS - I'm tired today.  Wiped out- don't want to run and won't so that I can get in a long run on Wednesday before I head out of town on a business trip. 

Not feeling it today .....or feeling too much of it depending on how you look at it....

How do you pick yourself up out of a slump?

How to decide if I need a coach - HELP!

This Monday registration opens up for the half marathon that I plan on running in April.  I'm very excited - but uncertain that I am training for this event the way I should be.

I have read quite a few books, blogs and articles online and I think a running coach would benefit me.

Here's my dilemna - I can't seem to find a "local" running coach - PLUS that may cost me a small fortune.

If I get an online running coach - how much different is that than me reading a book and trying to do it myself? 

Have you had  coach - in person or online?  Was it beneficial? 

I learned a lesson about myself yesterday...

I have been very proud of myself and my quest to become a runner. Apparently I've been so caught up in that pride that I've been holding myself back from becoming the best I can be at it.

I SHOULD be doing hill training, I SHOULD be pushing myself to be faster. It's not enough (at least for me) to just be doing this. I want to be good at it!! I know that I'll never win a race -(seriously...I'm 5'1" and could stand to lose a few pounds) but I certainly should be able to get more outta myself.

I had a very dear friend run with me yesterday. Someone who's never run a race and never even run outside. She only runs for exercise and she does it from the comfort of her living room. I am not trying to sell the treadmill short as I LOVE mine - but for me - there is a huge difference between running outside and running inside.

That said - she came in a minute after me. One lousy minute. I am VERY VERY proud of her and don't want to take anything away from that. In hindsight - what I've realized is that I should have been better. I should have been faster than her. I'm training, running, focusing on my run all the time.

BUT - unless I push myself when I'm training and while I'm running - I'm not going to get better, faster, stronger.

Game on - I'm ready.