When I'm tired I think, "I can't run a 10K! What was I thinking?" Other times when I have had some rest I believe the Around the Bay Race is doable for me. Here's why I flip-flop:
Negative actions/thoughts I have about the 10K:
- I have constant "what if" thoughts. What if I get sick before the race? What if I simply can't do it in the amount of time given? What if I can't breath?
- Lack of training/motivation.
- I shouldn't be running with the shoes I have. They have very little support left. This might also be why I'm not training like I should.
- I went to the Running Room to buy new shoes. I didn't buy any because I am waiting for a sale, but the simple fact that I did the action must mean I think I can run the 10k run, right? Plus, if I get new shoes that wipes out at least one of the negative actions/thoughts.
- I spoke with the woman at the Running Room who said getting in shape to run a 10k is totally doable between now and March. Yay!
- I've committed to running a 5k in October: The Run for a Cure. I have other reasons for running this race but it's still a positive action for me. (www.runforthecure.com/goto/madeline)
- I've joined another sport which will help me get into better shape*. (I would talk about the sport but that's an entirely different blog post.)
- I have been going out for walks and did do a bit of a run last week.
- I figured out how long it would take me to WALK 10k.
On average, I can walk one kilometer in nine minutes. Let's round it up to 10 minutes for good measure. This means, if I were to only walk my section of the race, it would take me 100 minutes (10mins/k X 10 k). That is one hour and 40 minutes. That's only ten minutes over my share of the time! Of course, I want to do much better than that but that relieves some of the stress and self doubt.
I haven't committed to the 10k race yet but I think I can do it!
*I am not that out of shape but I have been in better.
