Redeeming Confidence

This past week has been nothing shy of absolutely crazy.  An out of state concert, the usual after work/camp activities, multiple incomplete trips to the grocery store and the preparation for an upcoming vacation to the shore — I should not be surprised that my training runs haven't been the best.  Truth be told, I was unable to complete my Wednesday speed workout mainly due to insufficient sleep and the high humidity.  The week slowly began to collapse around me as time continued to peel off the clock.  I needed to make peace with my poor excuse for a workout and move on.  I struggled in a sea of doubt, silently crying out for a life preserver.  A boost in my confidence was vital to the success of my training.  If I couldn't finish an hour of tempo repeats, how on earth could I accomplish my upcoming LSD (long slow distance) or a full marathon.  Crap.

Thursday's short run added a flicker of hope in what would be the pre-vacation masterpiece of my longest run in the plan to-date.  My family and I would be driving to North Carolina early Saturday morning; a plan that voided any chance of an LSD.  My long run would be Friday morning before work.  I organized all my running accessories that evening — hydration bottle, electrolyte tabs, headlamp, Body Glide, shoes/shirt/socks/shorts.  As if my house didn't already seem unkempt, the latest spread of items certainly pushed it in that category.  Following a yoga session, I had a bite of protein to eat before turning in for the night.  

My alarm called to me at 4:15 am Friday morning.  I could have snoozed until 4:30 and pushed out my start time even later, but I had to nail this run.  Time was against me; I still needed to work, do laundry, finish packing and just relax.  Slow and steady would be my mantra.  I walked out into the darkness with a beacon of light illuminating the space in front of my feet.  With the start of my watch, I was off gunning for an adjacent neighborhood to meet up with a friend.  Exactly two hours thirty-five minutes later, I stopped my watch and began a brisk walk towards home.  

Long run — check.

Friday work day — check.

Car packed — check.

I am in North Carolina's Outer Banks for the week, using the break from my usual every day to unwind and recharge.  My training will continue and even include a 5K race mid-week.  Already I feel the disappointment and stressors of last week washing away like the surf from my feet.  I must remember that this training is difficult by design; I must adapt to the ever-changing conditions, whether physical, mental or external.  For now, I'll flow like the waves in the ocean.  

1st OBX Run

Killing Me Softly

Monday night the hubbs and I went to see the Foo Fighters (for the 2nd time!). The show was in an upscale Camden, NJ neighborhood (sarcasm); the venue smelled like fresh foot vomit, cigarettes and sweet pot. Thankfully all these smells hung in the air due to the blanket of humidity that hovered above the lawn section of the outdoor center. I was impressed with the variety of gluten free options (just popcorn), so I opted to roll the dice on purchasing $7 of stale tortilla rounds generously covered in liquid 'cheese'. Oddly enough, I felt this dinner choice had more nutritional value than a bucket of popcorn drowning in a pool of artificial butter. Call me crazy. The band freakin' rocked, restoring my faith that rock and roll is still very much alive.  They played a near three hour set. Only once did I panic about a later than usual bedtime.

We tried to leave the 'parking lot' (shit hole of a half assed paved area with pot holes and more stank), but were detained for close to an hour due to the nonexistent event staff. Long bitching story make a smidge shorter, my head hit the pillow around 2 am. Disaster awaits...

I planned to get my Tuesday run in after work as opposed to waking up at 4:30 am; that would have been good for nobody and NO body. The day dragged on, fueled by a nut bar and weekend coffee (cream and sugar); I powered through a delicious Greek salad with chicken and one (ONE!?!?!) stuffed grape leaf. I wanted to poke my eyes out, but I welcomed the necessary travel between two meeting locations to keep me on my toes. Before taking the girls to swimming lessons, the hubbs made dinner and I took off for a steamy run. My word, it was hot out there. I kept the pace easy and got in my planned 40 minutes by circling the hospital trails like a shark in the North Carolina waters (too early?).

I sat at swimming, in the room resembling an inside out fish bowl slowly fading in the hard plastic chair.  While typing most of this post from my phone I obscessively noticed an extra period floating around (located here - . -) and spent a good five minutes trying to corral it in with my finger.  Got it!  
I got home to scarf down another shitty dinner which had about an hour to digest before my yoga sesh.  With the girls in bed and the hubbs in the office, I retreated to my mat for 60 minutes of poses with the glow of a Shark Week feature illuminating the room.  The next day's workout appeared benign on the surface which, as foreshadowing will tell you, was a mistake.  
At 5 am this morning, I stepped out into a simmering pot of chicken noodle soup.  Well, there are no noodles, because I'm gluten free and to be honest, I didn't see any vegetables; however, the atmosphere had a murky appearance, just like a lighter colored broth.  Another long bitching story made just a wee bit shorter, I couldn't finish my workout.  I was tired and thirsty; my upper back started to give out.  I made it halfway through my first tempo repeat.  GAAHHHH.  I altered my route back towards home to get a much needed cup of water.  And that was it.  I parked my ass on my yoga mat for some easy recovery poses.  I'm currently in the process of 'getting okay' with not finishing my workout.  Coach won't be disappointed; I know that.  But he's not going to let me get away with it.