This is last week has had its highs and lows. The highs include things like Coach Joe’s updated speed workouts kicking my butt. Seriously. So much so that he revamped my pace goals, again. Have I mentioned how thankful I am to have Coach Joe on my side? Because he totally rocks. One of my speed workouts was a 2 x1200 m w/3 minute rest with a pace of 5:06. I kept going back to my training plan and looking at that number. Five-oh-six. Seriously? It had me shaking in mah boots. But, you know what? When I got to the track, there was another runner guy there who chatted me up. I told him what my goal was for the day and how I didn’t think I could make those times. His response? “Well, even if you don’t hit those times, you’ll still get a good workout.” He was a very wise man. I gave it my all and turned out with the first set at 5:30 and the second set at 6:00. My lungs felt like they were going to burst…and then my summer allergies hit full force. Running full force sucks in that much more pollen and crap in the air. I had a 12-miler scheduled for Saturday morning. With T being out of town, my parents took the kids to their house for a sleepover so I could get up at the butt-crack of dawn and spend 2 hours running. 5 am came very early, but I dragged my butt out of bed, ate a light breakfast, drank a little coffee and headed out the door. Aside from a pit-stop around mile 3 at McDonalds (not for food, silly!), I ran the whole way. No walking. No little voice in my head telling me how tired my muscles were. I just…ran. And it was awesome. These are the runs I look forward to. I just turned off the brain, tuned into the music, enjoyed the cool, fresh morning air on my skin and ran.
And then when I woke up Sunday morning my wonky foot actually *hurt*. Crap. I’ve been icing and Arnica-ing 2-3 times a day since. Odd enough it doesn’t hurt when I’m running or in my running shoes. But this has lead me to an abbreviated running schedule this week. I’ve done some yoga and strength. I did the #Tworkout last night with the Sisterhood. The foot still feels sore, but Coach Joe said it’s probably just because I’m running faster and harder. My new mantra is holding “Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional”. I’m choosing to not be miserable and to “enjoy the miles.” Today I’m planning on lacing up and hitting the treadmill for 6 miles. I’m only going to get one speed workout in this week, but I’m okay with that.
The food for the week? Still pretty good, aside from the fact that Sunday was my birthday and there was (and still is) cake. But I’ve been controlling the urge to pinch off bites every time I go into the fridge and only having a small piece after dinner. Water intake is still good.
Have I met my goals this week? My best one has been time with the kids. I haven’t managed 30 minutes a day for each, but I have managed 30 minutes a day for at least 2 kids (and not the same two every day). I’m hoping T and I will get to go out this weekend. The reading for 30 minutes a day 3-4 days a week has been a big fat fail. But to my credit T was out of town last week and I stayed up late working just about every night last week.
Bottom line: My running is going well (even if slightly wounded). My goals are half-assed but I’m doing my best.
Running In A Girls' World 