Yoga Pants Life

I’m almost done with week 5 and while my goal was to knock out 26 miles, I’m not sure I’ll come anywhere close to that. Of course, everything is still salvageable and I still have 3 days to hit the number (or at least come close to it.) But this week has been a hot mess and I need to make some adjustments (what else is new?) While I love holidays/time off from work, it really throws me off my routine.

I totally could have fit a run in on the 4th of July, but I chose to spend my day drinking champagne instead. Also? Asshats have been setting off illegal fireworks all around town and I don’t trust anyone to actually get it right. I have a massive fear of being out for a run and something exploding that never should have been there in the first place, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STUPID, NON-LAW ABIDING ASSHOLES.  I also skipped Monday because I had lunch plans and ran errands after work. I simply didn’t have it in me to run (excuses, excuses.)

I swam Wednesday and Thursday at lunch and managed to fit a 4.5 mile run in after work on Wednesday. I was going to run yesterday after work, going so far as to get dressed in all my gear, but I REALLY didn’t want to go. My body was tired, my right knee was in pain and everything felt tight. I knew running would probably do more harm than good, so I hopped on the elliptical for 3.5 miles instead.  So, that means, if we are counting elliptical miles, I’m at a whopping 8 miles so far this week.  UGH! (though, when I get on the elliptical, I usually mean business. I try to mimic actual running as much as possible and don’t just cruise on the machine.)

I have some weekend obligations, so I want to knock out my long run tonight…but now that the evening is here, the last thing I want to do is run. I scheduled myself to run 10-12, but the official training plan actually calls for 7 this week (it’s supposed to be a step down week.) I’ve been running more than that lately (not by much, but still) so it should be a total cakewalk. Yet, here we are. I’m also thirsty AF because it’s hot outside and apparently 80 oz of water isn’t enough.

And now that I’ve wasted a solid 30 minutes whining and complaining about my circumstances, I think I’ve formulated a new ‘plan’ to finish out my week.

I’m house sitting this weekend, which will bring a nice change of scenery/pace. I have to run a few errands tonight (even a Prius needs gas eventually) and will attempt to get 3 miles in tonight (if I get out on the road and feel good, I can go further. If not, fine. I’m not thrilled about running in the dark, but whatever.) I will do my long run at some point between now and Sunday evening.  It is highly, HIGHLY unlikely that I will hit what I was initially aiming for, so my new goal is 20 miles for the week (and I’m counting my elliptical miles in that total. Because I can.)

What’s funny is that I’m reading the ‘motivational’ notes included in the plan and this weeks theme is “Learn to Focus: training this week may tax you both physically and mentally. Be focused in the moment…” I really needed to read that because I started feeling like a failure this week. According to the plan, feeling worn out, even this early on, is ‘normal’ and par for the course.

I also needed the reminder that it’s not just running that’s knocking me out – I’ve also taken up swimming and while it’s so much fun, it’s SO HARD for me right now. I’m still learning proper breathing and stroke techniques (heh) and even though it’s just for an hour or so each week, it’s new and I’m using muscles I’ve probably never used before. I know it will be so worth it in the end though. It’s only been a month, but I’ve never stuck to any kind of cross-training for that amount of time before.

I can totally do this, right?