I have to make this quick. I just got home from work and need to get to bed so I can do an at-home-triathlon in the morning!
With a full 40 hours at lululemon and the expo on the weekend, my week was packed. Still, I had to fit a long run in (I’m running the New Jersey Marathon next weekend!) and Saturday morning was the best time.
I worked a long day at the expo Friday and set my alarm for 4:45 a.m. (after going to bed after 11:00 p.m.) to get in at least 18 miles before working the second day of the expo at 9:30 a.m. My attitude was to do whatever it takes, but my body said otherwise when my alarm went off at an ungodly time the next morning. Needless to say, the oversized king bed with freshly laundered linens sucked me in and I didn’t get out of bed until 6:00 a.m.
I began my run much later than planned. I was on a time schedule so I knew I’d have to cut my planned mileage in half, which left me disappointed. I feel like my training lately has been so compromised, even though I make it a priority. Still, I headed out excited to run the streets of a different city.
To cut to the point, the run was terrible. I didn’t have any pre-run fuel other than one Clif shot gel. My left Achilles has been bugging me since the trail ultra and it really hurt on this run. To top it all off I haven’t been able to do yoga for a while or stretch so my body was so tight. I tried to run hard and fast, but it felt like I had a wall pushing against me the whole way. I walked quite a bit and wanted to just quit.
My mind was so into it but my body wasn’t having any part of it. Discouraged I managed to run back to the hotel, making my “run” 9.8 miles total. I felt defeated by running.
Today I told David about my run. I said I was under-fueled, tired and my body didn’t want to run that day.
Then something clicked.
It was just an off day. They happen.
Sure, I’ve had off days plenty of times to know they are a part of training. But when you’re in the moment of a training workout that should be so good and it is so so bad, it is hard to look at the picture. I easily judge my body and stamina by how I am performing right then and there when I need to look outside that box.
When I look at the whole picture I remember I have plenty of days when my body is strong and fast and can run forever. I see that I need to get more sleep than 6 hours a night. I take note of how yoga and stretching help me. I remember I am a good runner, even if this precious long run ended up being a disaster.
The rest of the expo was great!
What You Eat Why
From Julie: I think of eating as a personal journey, not as a destination. My diet is always evolving as I learn more about myself and about food. Currently, I am an omnivore who focuses on vegetables as the main dish and animal products on the side (or not at all). Some days, I eat a full vegetarian diet and some days, I'll incorporate meat.
When I buy animal products, I always do my best to buy organic. With produce, I'm a little more flexible but I try to stick to an organic diet because it's better for my body and for the environment. I have a say in what goes in my body and as Michael Pollan says, every time I buy something, I am "voting" for that particular food. When I buy food, I look at the ingredient list instead of the advertising. I examine it to see how many ingredients a particular food has and if they are all necessary.
Ironically, as many vegetarian's and vegan's will tell you, ever since my diet has evolved to eating more plants, I feel like I've opened up a door to food I never tried before. My diet typically doesn't effect my relationships except by making them stronger. I learn from others and they learn from me. Food is an adventure! Ever since I started eating this way, my body feels great. I have a ton more energy and feel overall healthier.
- Julie from Wearing Mascara
How do you keep motivated through tough workouts?
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