That's right - I've been running this whole time and never got a single blister on my feet - until now. I decided to end the year (and my Holiday Running Streak) with a bang and shoot for a 10k distance on my treadmill (since there's still almost a foot of snow outside and on the running trail). I had just attempted 5 miles for the first (and only) time the week before, and for some reason I had this crazy idea in my head that I should try 6.2 miles. Just to see if I could do it. I mean, the 5 mile run didn't seem THAT bad. And this was just a mile more basically. I'm still taking it easy on the pace because my body can't decide if it's getting a cold or not, so I just have this sinus and head congestion that keeps coming and going throughout the day. And I've noticed when I really push myself on pace, I have a much harder time breathing and get really stuffed up. So anyhow, I've been running at a less intense pace, and I thought that would be the perfect time to try something new. If my head, sinuses, or congestion felt too bad at any point in the run, I promised myself I'd stop and not push it.
So I took off at a nice easy 10:00/mile pace (realizing that this used to be an extremely difficult pace for me not too long ago), and set in for the long haul. Or for 6.2 miles, which I consider the long haul at this point! I felt good as I was running, and although the miles were going by slowly because of the slower pace, I just tried not to focus on how far I had left to go. Since I don't like to listen to music or watch TV when I run, I had a lot of time to think. I started thinking about the running gifts I'd received for Christmas, and all the running articles I've been reading in magazines, and online at Runner's World, Active.com, Women's Running, etc. There's truly such an abundance of information out there on how to improve your PRs and distances, how to run faster, muscles to strengthen and exercises to do to make you a better runner, foods to eat and not eat, schedules to follow for training, clothes to wear and gadgets to use, races to run and how to run them faster - and you know what? Not all of these articles agree with each other. It's almost overwhelming. My brain decided it wanted to be philosophical at that point. It occurred to be that while I enjoy reading about all of these things and even implementing some of the ideas and suggestions, it also wasn't for me. When I started running, I honestly was doing it just to lose weight and get in shape. And as I ran, I found out I enjoyed it and it was more fun for me than I ever thought it would be. But the thought of breaking down running into a training schedule, having certain days set aside for fartleks or interval runs, knowing weeks in advance exactly how far and what type of run I'm going to do on any given day - well to be honest, that would just take all the fun out of it for me. At that point, running would be more of a task for me - like a chore or a job. And what fun are those things? Sure, I'd probably improve much more quickly that way, but what good is the improvement if it's not fun anymore?
I know so many people who have used and stuck with programs like Couch to 5k, Bridge to 10k, or other various training programs for half marathons, and on and on. And they've had great success with them. They've surpassed my abilities (both in distance and speed), and yes, that makes me feel inadequate and kinda like a failure at times, but I've decided that I can't be bothered by that anymore. They're not me, and I'm not them. And we all run for different reasons. So what if it was going to take me more than an hour to run a 10k for the first time? I was having fun doing it. And no schedule on my refrigerator told me I had to do it that day. I enjoy just going with how my body feels that day and moving at my own pace. Running for the joy of running. I've started to become so obsessed with distances and pace and times that I was afraid I was going to suck all the fun out of this for me. And I've been pretty jealous of all these people I see running races and getting medals and placing in their respective races. I've run one single 5k - and that was just to prove to myself that I could do it. I'd been considering signing up for more races like that just to get them under my belt and see if I could place or get a medal too. But really, the races just don't do it for me in the long run. I know I can run the 5k race now, and I did. I don't need to keep running them. It's on to a 10k race for me. And I'll probably only run one of those too. Just to prove to myself that I can again. :o) And who's to say that all of this isn't okay? No one - that's who. So it's different than 99% of the running population. Big deal. I'm going to stick with the way I run - no plans or training schedules, no tempo, fartlek, or interval runs, no running endless numbers of races - I'm just going to run.
But I digress - my wandering mind finally came back to the present, and I was approaching the 4 mile mark. I could tell I was getting tired but decided I could still probably make it. 4 miles came and went, and although my fingers were itching to increase the speed and avoid going over an hour for my 10k, I thought back on all the revelations I'd just made and decided to be happy with the pace I was at. I got even more tired by mile 5, but I wasn't about to give up at that point. Then, at around 5 and a half miles, the title of this post became relevant. Out of nowhere, my (favorite) running shoes felt like they were pinching the arches of both of my feet. Where was this coming from? I've run in those shoes since I first got serious about running, and the running store's shoe specialist said they weren't worn out yet and were still fine to use, even though the length of time I'd had them was quite long. (I guess I just don't run very FAR - hahaha!) I'm assuming my legs were just getting really tired and it was changing my stride and form a little bit, but no matter how I tried to land with each step, my feet were being obliterated by my shoes. Or so it felt. I stuck it out and finished all 6.2 miles, even if it did take me 1:02:00. And I was super proud of myself. I couldn't wait to go upstairs and tell the hubby! But first, those shoes had to come off. I waddled off the treadmill on legs that felt like jelly and feet that felt like I was stepping on pins. When the shoes and socks came off, I was surprised to see multiple blisters on each foot, right on the arches. How strange. I wasn't thinking that this was where runners got blisters, but then again, nothing I do is ever normal, so it was probably just me! :o) I went upstairs and popped the blisters (I know, I know - gross, right? But it feels so much better afterwards.), and proceeded to brag to my husband about my success in running a 10k distance and my battle wounds from doing it.
What a great way to end 2012 - success at running a 10k distance (even if it did come with blisters), completion of the Holiday Running Streak, and great revelations about myself and why I run. Here's to 2013 and hoping that running continues to be such a joy and inspiration to me and to others. Happy New Year and good luck whatever your running goals. :o)
