Running in the Elements

Last night I slept with the great anticipation of going on this nice, long run. I was aiming for somewhere around 11 miles, with a water break at mile 5.5. This morning I arose with the same excitement and couldn't wait to feel that sense of accomplishment. However, I forced myself to stay in my room and read/ study Business Law until it was 7. I dressed, expecting the air to be somewhat cooler as the sun had not yet touched the day. Barnabas and I get my shoes on, and then it happened, I opened the door and saw what I had dared not even thought of.... the snow, gray clouds and breeze coming straight in the door. I shut that thing and thought, "Just when I didn't even have to talk my body into exercise, out of nowhere the elements come in like they own the place." Well, needless to say, I decided to continue with my day, getting the oil changed, doing some more studying and trying to talk myself out of taking a nap. It was closing in on 10:00 when either I was going to cave, and get a little shut eye, or force myself out the door. I chose the latter. I suited up, grabbed Barn's leash and out we went. Somewhere around the half way mark of our now just 6 mile trip, the snow began to come down heavier, be wetter and the wind came from some direction. I kept chugging along. While it would be nice to think that I could push myself to a pace below 10 miles, it just realistically doesn't seem to happen. The first two miles my knees hurt, it feels impossible to run and I usually feel heavy and gross, today was no different. I kept chugging along, listening to my music and getting in a groove. If I just let myself go at my own comfy pace, the running doesn't seem so hard. It's when I think I have to go faster and be better that I feel my mind shut down. I hear that hill work and intervals will help my breathing and teach my body to burn fuel more efficiently; and I do these things. So how is it that I still can't breathe up hills and my pace does not seem to be getting faster. I would like to be faster, I just don't want to have to think about it. I want that groove that I was feeling today to go from 10:48 per mile to 9 minute miles. Maybe it will someday. I just have to keep going, suiting up and running in the elements.