A 4ish mile run yesterday morning.
And you’re thinking….sooo… what’s new? you went for a run….
Thing is, it was my first run since I raced last Sunday. I haven’t gone that long not running in… I don’t even know when…… I traveled home Monday and my natural inclination (usually) would’ve been already plotting a run for Tuesday.
…
But disturbingly, this thought crossed my mind Monday evening,
“I don’t really care if I run anytime soon….”
It freaked me out. Like, where did that come from ??
True, I was tired.
Friday-Monday each day I had traveled about 4 hours at a time, I ran 13.1 miles Sunday ( literally…. ran them all… other than walking through water stations to get fluid in) and even though I mentally dismissed it as “only running 13 miles” fact is, it’s still a good distance to run.
Let’s not forget the complete and total… frustrating let down… of not getting to run the 50K….or that at race day I had logged (roughly) 990 training miles since August.
I guess it was a breeding ground for my “whatevah if I run again” crazy thinking…
I messaged a running friend who assured me I wasn’t a freak but to just allow myself a little down time. He told me I’d be back on my game again soon. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you that you’ve put yourself out there, given your all, worked hard and ….resting… is an ok thing.
So I did. I mean I wasn’t a total and complete sloth. I did do a few days of strength training in my week, but I never looked at my running shoes. ( I think I heard them crying at night 😉
Therefore, yesterday morning, when I knew I was ready to get out there it was totally with the intent to run easy…. and run wherever I wanted….. and however I wanted…. no agenda.
And you know what? It felt amazing. Those creepy feelings were gone. I was back out where I needed to be. I felt alive.
I’m refocused and moving forward and know what my new goals are.
You know those moments we go through where we feel laid low… are often the times where we… once again… redefine ourselves.
Challenges and obstacles define us. They can either take us down, defeat us, and make us want to quit….OR…. they can push us, shape us, and mold us into overcomers.
We just need to decide how we will respond.
How do challenges or obstacles help you move forward ? How do you deal with them ? Do they strengthen you ?
No worries! What usually get me past obstacles is thinking about how I felt back in 08′ when I was nearly 35 pounds overweight and how I refuse to go back to that dark place. As far as challenges with running I just keep visualizing that my next run is my best run and the only way I’m going to experience it is to go out and run it this kept me going until this race season after have a 4 year 5K PR drought and finally making a breakthrough this season 🙂 xoxo
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Oh my, yes. I too think about where I was and don’t want to be there. Isn’t running great? always a potential new victory around the corner….good luck with that!
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