Just keep running, Just keep running....

Last year I ran two 5Ks. For 2011, I decided that one of my goals for the year was to run a half marathon. I actually made this decision back in December and set my sights on the Rock N Roll half marathon on March 27th. I've been following two different training plans I found online and kind of merged them together. The speed workouts are no problem for me. I think it's because they are over fairly quickly. The longest speed workout is in increments of a mile. It's fairly easy to keep your concentration for a mile, and then repeat. The workouts that get to me are the tempo runs and the long runs. Tempo runs are generally 3 miles or longer and you are supposed to do this at a faster pace than your comfortable pace. Tempo runs just kill me. I don't know why they are so mentally hard for me. I know I could do it, but in the middle I always need a walk break. Long runs are also hard for me. They are at a slow pace, so I think they are almost easier than tempo runs, but not much. Last Sunday in preparation for my half marathon I ran 13.45 miles. I needed to do a run at least as long as the half so that I could prove to myself that I could do it. My pace was a lot slower than I would have liked, but I did it. Today I ran 12 miles. I was hoping to pick up the pace and run at a faster rate than last week but it didn't happen. Today I felt like I was running in pea soup. It was a very muggy day today, and windy. It wasn't an enjoyable day to run for me. Mentally I just wasn't into it, but with my race 2 weeks away I know I need to perform all of my scheduled workouts as well as possible. I didn't set any speed records again today, but I did complete the workout. When I start feeling defeated in a run and want to quit I channel Dory from Finding Nemo and instead of thinking, "just keep swimming", I think "just keep running". I've come to the conclusion that I will never be a marathoner. It just isn't in me. But for now I'm going to keep running until I get to that half marathon finish. We'll see what happens after that.