It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ~ Confuscius
Wrapped up this week by running the Freedom Fest 2025 10k. My goal was to run it – not race it. How’d I do? Sorta okay, but also, it was a 10k PR for me. My Garmin reported I PRd my 1K, 1 Mile, 5K and 10k. I did know I was pushing it, but I was also feeling okay so I went with it. And when I was done my Garmin told me I needed 50 hours to recover.
For this run I gave SaltStick FastChews Electrolyte Tablets a go. I was a fan of these. I also tried a Krono Nutrition Maple & Raspberry Energy Gel and it was a definite nope. I had a package opening malfunction and ended up wearing most of it so I only got to try a little bit of it, but it coated my tongue for a long while. It was also super sweet.
This run also proved to me I can run a marathon. I have read several times that when you train for a marathon you are really training for the first 20 miles and the last 6.2 are no man’s land. So I have now decided that the 6.2 I ran today proves I can do the last 6.2 – and I just need to train the first 20 miles now. That makes sense, right? Of course it does.
There are a few other things I’ve read recently that I put into practice today. One of them is that wearing sunglasses can reduce your Rate of Perceived Exertion. Sunglasses are challenging because I can’t just pick up a cute pair. I need them to be prescription. I have a pair for everyday wear, but they are not great for running. There is a lot of pushing them up my nose. So I ordered myself a pair of Zunnies. I’m a fan. The other thing I read is that smiling while you run improves your run. And the article specified a real smile.
A Heart for Hard Things 