Sunday Motivation

Exhausted

We're in the middle of prepping for the movers to come pack us beginning Monday and then move us to SE Texas. We actually wont get our belongings for close to a week after our arrival and so we're plotting and planning accordingly. What is this doing to my training plan? Between the end of work activities, Mark's end of work activities and Change of Command Ceremony, and preparing for the move, I've struggled, honestly struggled. Add to that the fever/crud I've been battling for over a week and if I wasn't so determined, I'd have thrown the training plan out of the window. So as it is, I run when I can and have managed to put in 4-5 days this week. This morning I got up early, a new habit for this night shifter, and ran before getting busy in the house. It actually seemed to energize me. We're carrying the bicycles and of course, I will pack my running shoes to carry myself and we'll play it by ear when we hit Texas Monday or Tuesday. I haven't felt physically strong enough for a weekly long run for two weeks but will catch up on those as I can. I'm feeling encouraged that I have maintained the 30 minute runs though, so all is not lost. Will update when I can...until then...Keep running

Tuesday's Motivation

Fighting the Crud

I love the above statement, I am certainly surrounded by supportive people. My husband, Mark, who is my biggest cheerleader followed closely by my three daughters and their respective men! I would run anyway, at this point in my life but it means a lot to hear their encouragement and praise. There was a time when I was easily convinced that I wouldn't be any good at any given endeavor but thankfully and gratefully, those days are over and I have not only recovered all my confidence, I can also be a little on the cocky side, wink!

Back to the title, I've been fighting a flu like crud; achy, feverish, headachey. Not congestion per say but running with this thing is like trying to suck air through a straw the size of a toothpick. Two days in a row I struggled and ran only a mile, painfully slow and glad to make it home alive. The third day, I vowed to complete 2 miles even if I had to walk the entire time. Walking on and off, I wheezed so bad, it was close to drowning out my music. I know, I know, all the literature says do not run when you have a cold or respiratory problem but I've been on allergy meds for several weeks and I am not congested until I run. My favorite ER doc to the rescue, a runner, a triathlete, and a friend guessed that I had exercise induced asthma because of the bad allergy season and probably exacerbated by this crud. He prescribed an albuterol inhaler and told me to give it a puff or two before I run (til this passes) and see if that helps. No running today but plan on giving it a try tomorrow. I'm so afraid I'm not going to be able to get my long run squeezed in this week if my lungs won't cooperate with everything revolving around the move to Texas!

Happy National Running Day

Today is a good day to ask ourselves why we run. Is it to lose weight, gain confidence, win races, or simply to enjoy the outside at a pace only we can appreciate?

I began running to get into shape and today I run because, quite frankly, I love it. I love the rush, the sweat, the feeling of accomplishment. I love the path or the treadmill as long as my feet are moving. I love the solitude, the quiet, the conversations I have with myself. I love the small wave or a simple nod to other runners as I meet them on the road. The brotherhood of runners, never more evident than after the recent Boston Marathon. How many new runners did that one single day inspire? In a year, on the next National Running Day, will their reasons to run have changed. Perhaps the reasons will just expand, like mine have. All I know is the days I don't run leave me feeling empty and the void in my day is a dark shadow. I love to lace up and get my run on. I hope you do as well.

Yep Yep