Then I'm not sure horseback riding is for me.
Of course, I'm kidding. I do love running. But a couple weeks off of it, and my heart and lungs are struggling to get whipped into shape, and my muscles are sore. I went back and checked - last time I took 13 days off running was in May 2009. I'm pretty proud of myself because June 2009 was when I decided for the first time in my running career to finally take running regularly seriously, and, looking back, I've fulfilled that if I've run that consistently for 9 months.
I ran 3 miles yesterday with my friend Sarah. And then 3 this morning alone. Purposeful pace on both runs to tell my heart and lungs "This is the pace I want you to LIKE, gosh darnit!", so I had to throw in a bunch of walk breaks. With my training partner Sarah yesterday, I cursed running most of the way and said I must have been wrong - I don't like this sport after all. :-)
Sadly, the weather has not helped. When I was running everyday up until a month ago, temps topped out at maybe 50 degrees. I must have missed the nice inbetween weather, because last two runs were in high-60s with humidity. Grrrr.... Bad time to take a break from running.
This morning was further marred by anxiety. Drove a mile away from my house to a nice trail - tired of running in my neighborhood. Went 1 1/2 miles out, almost to turning around, AND.... I realize I left the house without my house key. I've locked myself out of the house. With no energy to sprint 1 1/2 miles back to the car, I just had to deal with it. I got back and had to go to my husband's office and pick up his key. Sigh.
I know I'm also putting pressure on myself because Half Marathon #7 of 2010, Big D, is coming up on Sunday. I'm not going to go try to PR, I'm not delusional, but I didn't want to totally explode on course with a particularly bad showing. I need to work on the mental game this week of just going out and enjoying that race. I'll get there.
I'll get to love running again, but this is my first "recovery" from time off in about a year, and it's going to take a little bit.
Recovery/getting back on the horse is painful. Last year, I ran maybe 2 10ks, but the rest of my few runs were 5ks from July - October. And in November I did a 5 mile race and then started half marathon training. I thought I was going to completely fail at
ReplyDeleteI am worried about this again too, since I've done ONE long run since my half. Mostly cross training minus 5k distance runs. I just need a break and if my body wants it, I guess I have to oblige. :)
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ReplyDeleteWhy no posts lately? What's going on? Still running? Something wrong? Hope it's not an injury.
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