Thursday, January 20, 2011

Just Not Feelin' It!

Disclaimer: This post really is a little of a Dear Diary, so here's what is floating around in my brain right now.

The honeymoon is over! I took several days off at the beginning of last week, but headed back out to the open road on Thursday. My goal this year is to log (mostly through running, but some will be walking miles) 1000 or so miles, give or take.  Calculated, I need to log around 19-20 miles per week. Sooooooo, I needed to run 6 miles to finish out last week.

Here is a summary of my exercise for the past week:

1/13/11-3.1 miles-30:57-9:59 pace
1/15/11-3.1 miles-31:28-10:09 pace
1/17/11-6 miles-64:26-10:44 pace-Yikes!
1/18/11-4.11 miles-65:48-a much needed therapy walk with my friend Jennifer
1/19/11-3.0 miles-30:07-10:02 pace
1/20/11-3.2 miles-31:45-9:55 pace

Reflecting on this, I'm not disappointed. It is my intent to stay positive and focus on how far I have come. A few lessons:
*You are what you eat. Well, remember those M&M cookie bars, those probably didn't help. Nor did the donut from Milton Bakery OR the blueberry pineapple dump cake. OK, I'll stop there. Oh, maybe the few glasses of Riesling that I had last week didn't contribute well to my efforts either. Now, I'm done.
*Perhaps there is a recovery period after these big events. I remember struggling for a few weeks after I ran my first 10K back in October. Pushing my body to a new extreme may require my brain to adjust also. Mentally, I have been a complete mess while running. I have even had to stop to walk a few times. I'm just NOT feelin' it!
*On the bright side: I am getting my miles in toward my goal.  Finished out last week with 19.37 miles at an average pace of 10:23. I have 16.3 miles logged this week with two days to go. I am so thankful that schedules and weather allowed me to walk with my friend Jennifer on Tuesday. Walking and talking is great for my emotional health. Just sayin'!
Bright note #2: I am holding the sweets at bay this week, opting instead for sugar-free chocolate pudding to attempt to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Bright note #3: I have about 10 women interested in starting a Couch to 5K program with me in February. I am excited to see what God has in store for the women who join me.

It would be easy for me to get discouraged. I've accomplished my major goal, I no longer have my running buddy, I am pretty positive that I am fighting off bronchitis...blah, blah, blah.  All that needs to fall on deaf ears. Mine might need earplugs.
I realized way back in high school that I tend to complain. It is something that I consciously work to overcome. I try to be a glass half-full person because I was raised by a glass half-empty person. I have spent a good deal of time with my glass half-empty person this week taking her to have cataract surgery and for follow-up appointments. I literally cringe when I have to be around negative, pessimistic people for an extended period of time. It is so much easier to choose JOY!!!!!!!

So, I leave you with this that I saw on a friend's FB page:
There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the drama and those who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right and avoid the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up and moving forward is living.

Last, but not least, Scott encouraged me to break down (remember my thrifty side) and purchase my "official" photo tonight. Looking forward to my next half-marathon in New Orleans on February 13. Don't you want to go?

2 comments:

  1. Leah, I struggled for a while after my first half. I think it is just your body telling you to go a little easy for awhile. I also learned that too many rest days is not good for me...I lose my endurance very quickly. You will get it back...I promise! And that is awesome about the ladies wanting to do the Couch to 5K with you!!! Do you want to be a Sole2Soul Sister group in Pace??? We would LOVE for you to join us and head up a group over there!!!! You would get lots of support I promise! Think about it and let me know. You can call me or email me if you have any questions! :-)

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  2. Oh and I forgot to say...LOVE your official photo!!! Your hubby was right...you absolutely should purchase it despite the cost!!!!

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