Thursday Thoughts

It’s been over a week since my last run, and it dawned on me that I’ve been in kind of a funk. I’ve heard of these post race “funks” that happen – all the training, all the running, and then it’s all over. I don’t think that’s my issue. While my first half marathon experience was great in itself, the actual “woo hoo” and celebration of it all was lost in the days spent with a friend sharing her loss.

Health wise, I did well on the asthmatic end with no breathing issues.. until about Wednesday. Allergies went into overdrive and turned into another sinus infection. ~~Craptastic~~ Awesome. That brings me to eleven days without a run. Hello, funky town.

Enough of that business… Step one to getting out of this mental mess: I put my big girl panties on and picked up Hal Higdon’s book, Marathon. I’ve been slowly working my way through it, but jumped to the back matter to get a training plan on the calendar. I’ve also been reading Train Like A Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line – and Not Lose your Family, Job, or Sanity by Dimity McDowell and Sara Bowen Shea. I know we use the word ‘love’ way to frivolously, but I’ve loved these mother runners since reading their first book last year and their latest is a definite must read. I didn’t settle on a training program between the two books and all their options because my head is screaming PICK THE OWN IT PLAN!! but I know that is probably not the wisest option and I should probably go with a smarter, novice plan. I’m just hoping to stay healthy and injury enough to finish a plan and make it to the starting line.

I think it may be a little late for the sanity…

Step two: I laced up and headed out for a run. Or so the theory goes. My local running store was having a “secret” VIP sale. Not so secret when it’s plastered everywhere, but whatever. My wide feet have been suffering from their own version of a muffin top in my shoes because apparently I should be running in a wider pair. I only have a couple hundred miles on my current pair because ~~of all the different ways my body decided to fall apart on me~~ I haven’t run much this year, but I’m 95% sure that once the blisters under a couple of toenails are all dried out, those tootsies will be joining the nail free movement my feet are going through.

I did the same thing I do every time I head to this store. I go, I ask for the shoe I know I’ll end up with, but ask for a few other models to try on. Inevitably, I know I love my Adrenaline’s, as do my feet, and I’m pretty stoked that I can wiggle my toes and move spillage free.

Say hello to the newest love of my life

A pit stop at the store on the way home for a couple of things ~~that I totally forgot~~ was like a mini treasure hunt.

Ok, not the famed chia seeds, but both
of these would be good for my morning shakes

I also found a different variety of bars that I’ll be trying out for a non-chocolate option

Will be trying the cranberry almond

On my way out, a woman complimented my groceries ~~never mind it was supposed to be a quick trip for milk, eggs, and butter.~~ We struck up a conversation and she ~~became my new best friend~~ had so many nice things to say as she thought I was a trainer. I’m never allowed to quit my job (it’s in the fine print somewhere, I’m sure), but it was great to find another mother trying to work it out. Not only is she getting her health back on track, but she’s also a speaker on the effects of domestic abuse on children. Whoa…. my respect for this mama just multiplied a thousand times over. I hope she finds me here and I can connect with her again. (Hi Lisa, you are amazingly beautiful… get after it, girl!!!)

I left thankful to have met her and was reminded that everyone has a story, everyone is trying to work it out, and you never know who’s watching you and what kind of impression you’re making.

And so goes another day in the life. The bags have been packed, and my stay at Funky Town is done. Back to some regularly scheduled running tomorrow.