Final Tempo Training Run of 2014

Some things are worth celebrating. Heck, who am I kidding?! MOST THINGS ARE WORTH CELEBRATING!! We need to enjoy the little things, right?!

Source

Today marked my FINAL tempo training run of 2014. I will be starting to taper for the Dopey Challenge in the next few days (don't get me wrong, I still have an 18-miler this weekend and a half marathon next weekend) and the majority of the runs for the rest of the year are at my long run pace, so this was my last "fast" training run.

The weather man called for rain today, but thankfully it was done by the time I was off work and was still able to do my run outside (I'm not afraid of the rain, see my post about my soggy 16-miler on Friday for proof, but for my tempo runs I really would like to have secure footing when going faster).

I wore my new Brooks tights that I got over the weekend for today's run since it was a little on the chilly side due to the rain. They worked PERFECTLY! At first I wasn't sure how I would like them (especially since I'm not used to running in tights) because they have a higher waist, but they stayed put and "held in the belly". They pair GREAT with my PRO Compression Low Trainers.

Anyway, back to the run. It went much better than expected. My legs are TIRED and a bit sore (I could tell this morning when I got out of bed that the squats I did during yesterday's strength training workout were effecting them) and figured it would be a pretty painful run. [Even with my recovery tips, the soreness was still lingering around a bit...]

I'm not sure about you, but I have a difficult time starting off slow on my runs... I mean it is probably the fresh legs, the excitement of running, and the lack of maturity (I just started my running journey in 2012), but I always tend to go out WAY TOO FAST! Today I told myself I wanted negative splits (meaning each mile is faster than the one before) and so I had to consciously watch my pace that first mile or so.

WHOOOO HOOOO!! I was able to keep my negative splits the WHOLE run! Mile 1 - 7:49. Mile 2 - 7:41. Mile 3 - 7:33. Mile 4 - 7:20. Mile 5 - 7:12. And can we just celebrate THAT too?! Not only was I able to get faster throughout the run, did you see the time per mile?! I MEAN HELLO?! I just started running less than 3 years ago and I am able to run under 8 minute miles for more than a quarter mile! THAT IS HUGE (at least for a Pokey Pete like me!)! I would have NEVER imagined those times even 6 months ago!

Oh yeah, and since I LOVE Christmas, seeing the decorations on my run just make me smile a bit more ;) [I am thinking that maybe one of these next few days I will do my run in the evening to see all the lights twinkling, especially now that I have my AWESOME jacket from Brooks.]

The TOY-O-MATIC was CRUSHING an elf! OH NO!

Santa?! I KNOW HIM!

And the other scenery isn't anything to scoff at either ;) We are BEYOND BLESSED to live where most people want to come and vacation! I hope I never take the beauty and majesty around me for granted (if I do, feel free to kick me in the shin, deal?).

Do you celebrate your achievements?